Train Ride back to Irkutsk

 President and Sister Lamb and Elder Smith getting ready to board the Train back to Irkutsk from Ulan-Ude after Zone Conference.

 The train on the tracks.

 Narrow hallway in the train cars - notice the small brown 'jump seats' on the wall - people would put them down and sit in the hall.  Bathrooms were at each end - and only were available between stops.

 Our four beds coupe on the return night train.

 Bedding on the top bunk - the mission purchases all four tickets for the senior couple to have a coupe of their own. 

 It was nice to see the other side of the tracks - some pretty scenery again.  Actually saw a horse pulling a sleigh!  very picturesque! 

The night train stopped about 6 times in small villages and loaded and unloaded people on and off the train.  It was nice to see the stars when it got dark and we were still in the countryside.  Living in a big city in a big apartment building it is not possible - too much light!

Church Building in Ulan-Ude, Russia

 We were so happy to see the Ulan-Ude Church building - one of four 'free standing' building the Church owns in our Mission. 

 So nice to have our own building and not have to rent space in some other buildings - yes it was cold - maybe plus 5 degrees F.

 Another side of the building - they have an elevator to make the upstairs accessible.

 We arrived a little early and Elder Smith grabbed the snow shovel and began shoveling the sidewalks.

 Nice big snow pile by the back door of the church.

 Elder Smith said it reminded him of snow shoveling in Green Bay, Wisconsin - cold and snowy!

The Chapel set up for Zone Conference.

Train Ride to Ulan-Ude

 The views from the train of the Russian countryside were amazing - not too easy to take a picture from a moving train but I tried!

 The moon was still visible - Saturday morning around 10 o'clock.

 More of the moon and the forests ... kind of expected "Peter and the Wolf" to come walking out!

 More pretty scenery - I really like the snow on the trees.

 This looks like it could be a long time ago, I think.

 Lake Baikal - right near the train tracks.

Trans Siberian Railway to Ulan - Ude

 President and Sister Lamb flew to Irkutsk and joined us on the Trans Siberian Railway train to Ulan-Ude for the Zone Conference, January 6th - this is at 8:00 AM Saturday morning...entering the train.

 Elder Smith in our 'coupe' - first class!

 Two beds, table, pillows, sheets, etc.

 Frost on the bottom of the window - it melted as the coupe heated up.

Lunch was included in the First Class ticket.

More of our apartment

 Continuing down the hall - there are two bathroom doors - which one do you choose?

 The first door has the washing machine...

 the funny round shower ...

 and the sink ... with a reflection of me in my P Day Russia tee shirt taking the picture!!

 The second door - has the toilet ... try not to be claustrophobic in there!!

 After the bathrooms there is our bedroom ... nice bed and flowery blinds!

 Looking from our bedroom toward the other bedroom...another book shelf but full of tools, cleaning supplies, etc.

 Elder Smith at work on the computer - the twin beds and our drying rack plus stepper.  Ironing board in the corner - not seen.

 My computer across from Elder Smith.

Wonderful stepper - Kettler - made in Germany - yay!  warm to exercise and not have to do the stairs in the apartment building.

Our Apartment in Irkutsk, Russia

 This is the front entry way of our apartment ... notice shelves for hats, gloves, etc. and boot trays for snowy boots!

 Coming in the front door to the right is our front room / kitchen - then back porch door to the outside balcony.

 Front room - chairs stacked up when not needed ... sometimes 16+ people come for YSA FHE so then we need them!

 Kitchen - and table ... we have another fold out table that seats eight or so ... you can see it to the left of the picture of the Savior in the front room picture.

 Books!  yay -- many in Russian but some in English - I'm so happy to have them.

 Our back door - in Novosibirsk we had an enclosed back porch - this one isn't!  I guess there is a drain somewhere when that snow melts to water! our own snow drift!  The wind blows hard here.

Other end of the porch balcony.

Train Station and Fireworks - Happy New Year 2018!

 This is the Irkutsk Train Station - also a regional bus stop ..we came with an elder who was catching a bus back to his area ... we will come back on Saturday and take an 8 hour train ride to Zone Conference ..on the Trans Siberian Railway!  yes - it was cold - 3 above, I think.

 We tried to sleep in the New Year - the city would have nothing of that!  we were awakened at midnight with all kinds of fireworks - for four hours!

They were pretty and exciting ...but for four hours?  Welcome 2018 - we are happy you are here!  Many blessings to all!