The other Jewish state

Moving on to Birobidzhan

We have an early afternoon departure to Birobidzhan today on the train.  We decided to take an early lunch around 1030 at the canteen before returning to check-out at midday.

With a 1326 train departure, we killed about 40 mins at the hotel lobby before going to the station.

I had booked ourselves on a long distance train because it was bookable online in advance whereas the electrichka (local trains) were not bookable.  The timing of the train was also ideal.

But it meant that we were on sleepers for the 2h30 journey.  The 3^rd class area is not too different from 2^nd class except that two bunks are located where the aisle is on 2^nd class.  Even though there are no compartments, it is fairly private except for the two bunks located where the aisle would have been. It’s funny that 3^rd Class on the train is as comfortable as 1^st Class on a plane.

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About Birobidzhan

We arrive at 1557 at Birobidzhan’s little station where it was only a few minutes walk to the Bira-Mini Hotel.

Birobidzhan is the Jewish state you probably haven’t heard about.  The Soviet Union created a homeland for its Jewish population (and also those outside of Russia) in 1934, here in the Russian Far East, close to China.

The remote location and harsh climate made the place unattractive compared to remaining in Russian cities or the emerging state created out of Palestine.  If this place had succeeded, global affairs could be different today

Quick exploration of Birobidzhan

Wanting to make the most of the day, we took a walk around the small town after our Chinese dinner.

The Jewish menorah featured in a few public places like the railway station, buildings and parks.  One of the main streets is Sholom Aleykhema Street. Many street names are displayed in both Cyrillic and Hebrew script.

We found the synagogue where we saw some people praying through the window.  The mosquitoes in the park were horrendous.

D gave up after a while due to the mosquitoes and returned to the room while I bravely continued to the waterfront.

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Russian hot water woes

Wanting a shower before bed, I found that there was no water from the hot tap.  I asked at reception and she pointed to a sign.  The city’s hot water was out of action for four days and back on tomorrow.  I had forgotten that Russia’s domestic hot water may be from the city rather than heated individually per home.

I bravely had a quick cold wash and did a good-enough job.  While preparing for bed, the receptionist knocked on the door to say that the hot water was back, ahead of schedule.  My bad luck!

While people in Russia don’t put on the nicest smiles, they actually make a decent effort to be nice and helpful.  And she was not the first one so far and also not the last.