After two eventful days soaking in the charm and quirks of Ulan-Ude, Jeremy ventured deep into Siberia for a wild ride filled with rustic toilets, rest stop surprises, Soviet-era flats, smoky fish, and enough unexpected hospitality to warm even the frostiest Siberian day.
The episode opens with a roadside bathroom break that’s surprisingly decent? For just 20 rubles, you get cleanliness, toilet paper, and even a washing machine. Jeremy’s first rave review in Russia goes to a roadside rest stop. Truckers swing by for showers, and even the cafe looks promising, though connecting to Wi-Fi remains a challenge unless you’re a local.
When it’s time to order food, the language barrier turns into a game of “point at someone else’s plate and hope for the best.” Luckily, the mystery meal hits the spot. Jeremy also gets mistaken for Han from Fast & Furious, prompting a passerby to request a photo with him, an identity mix-up that Jeremy accepts with a smile and a shrug. It’s the kind of absurdly amusing encounter that makes travel stories worth retelling.
The team stumbles across a forgotten train station, then gets lured by the scent of sizzling local fish straight from Lake Baikal. Smoked, salted, and grilled to perfection. Jeremy gives it two enthusiastic thumbs up. Clarence, on the other hand, battles the language gap with his “advanced” Russian, and we all get a front-row seat.
As they hunt for accommodation, they find themselves in a tiny rural town. With some help from friendly strangers, they end up in a modest chalet which resembles of a Russian countryside Airbnb. Not fancy, but full of character.
Cue a deep dive into authentic Russian living. From crumbling wooden homes and musky Soviet apartments to squatted buildings that somehow still have electricity, Jeremy paints a vivid portrait of rural life, equal parts gritty and fascinating. He tours backyards, peeks into abandoned buildings (some definitely still “unofficially occupied”), and marvels at the resilience of locals making the most out of the bare minimum.
Next, it’s off to Irkutsk, a more modern Russian city crawling with Chinese tourists and Ping Cow signage. Amid car wash escapades and driving quirks (left-hand cars, right-side roads, brain-melting combo), Jeremy dishes out laughs and cultural insights. There’s even a wholesome moment when Eddie gifts his barely-used sleeping bag to a grateful gas station worker. Pure vibes.
This isn’t your glossy postcard Russia. It’s the raw, authentic, wonderfully unpredictable one. Curious enough to tag along?
Watch the video and see how Jeremy turns Siberia into the adventure no guidebook could write.