Every day I check UA-cam hoping to see a new Bald and Bankrupt video!!! Today is a good day. Thank you for all your amazing content sir. best wishes, Mike
These are his last videos in a QnA 9 months ago he said that he has another 8-9 months of youtube , after he has visited the last soviet destinations he is going to quit youtube and become an author or a photographer
Bald’s videos put a smile on my face. No pretension, no fancy music/graphics. Just raw passionate vlogging. Will be a dark day when Bald gives this up.
he might get signed up to work on a travel channel to be a presenter with a bigger budget? But we've seen how theres a different vibe when he doesn't speak the language of places like Cuba or Mexico, and how his best work is when he speaks to the locals in russian, so I really dont know?
Gotta say, as an American, learning about all these little Russian towns and republics and train stations is weirdly interesting. What a fascinating country.
Geography teacher here. Absolutely cracking first 90 seconds in terms of catching the audience's attention, and keeping it for the rest of the video. A stunning lesson in how geography, economics and politics intersect. I spent the next 3 hours reading up on everything I could find about the BAM etc..:-).
I’m having one of the worst times in my life mentally, health wise and financially. As soon as I came across your channel and watched a few of them I felt my mood lift instantly. Due to my health issues I have only been able to leave my home 7 times this year and it’s now November!! I feel as if I’m escaping through you. Please keep them coming. Keep safe n sane chap
I don't know how he does it. It is like he has an entire crew with him - you know, like Palin and those other indefatigable travellers. The editing alone is fantastic. And, apart from the utterly fascinating subject matter, beautiful scenery and masterful commentary, there are all these little touches everywhere that act like punctuation marks or conjunctions linking the "text" together. It's brilliant stuff. Award winning really, but there is no UA-cam category at the Emmys. There should be!
The storytelling, the encounters, the filming and editing, it's all pure gold. The sheer amount of research that must have gone into making these episodes is mind boggling. You have a great gift, thank you so much for sharing it with us.
Whats great is that there must be a massive amount of planning involved, but he films in such a way it he makes it seem like he just jumps off the train and goes for a walkabout until he finds something interesting.
My parents who joined the BAM construction in the early 80s always say that they felt like pioneers colonizing a new untouched planet. The youth of humanity got together on that project, enthusiastic and full of aspiration for the bright future of mankind, an interstellar communist future.
Alexandros, boris na les ligo apo tin istoria su? Ise apo tin elada? Pos itan oti i gonies su itan stin sovietiki enosi? Pos vgikan stin elada? evharisto
@@yuriythebest Ναι φίλε μου, είμαι από Ελλάδα. Ο πατέρας μου είναι Έλληνας τού Πόντου, από εκείνους που έγκατασταθηκαν στην τσαρική Ρωσία γύρω στο 1917. Μετά τον δεύτερο παγκόσμιο, μετακινήθηκαν στο Καζαχστάν, εκεί γεννήθηκε ο πατέρας μου κι από εκεί ξεκίνησε για το БАМ. Εγώ γεννήθηκα σε μία μικρή πόλη 300 χιλιόμετρα νότια του Γιακούτσκ, το Τομμοτ.
@@Alex_1984 para poli endiaferon, evharisto! Ego ime amo tin Ukrania, zusa stin elada otan imun pedi. Tora akuo ta elinika podcast ya na min ksehaso ta elinika.
Man gotta say, im not like an absolute avid watcher of your channel, but you’ve got such a positive attitude towards life in general and it really puts a smile on my face, even in the less than ideal days, Thank you for doing what you’re doing man!
In 1969 I was in Japan. My job took me near Russian airspace. Although it had very little coverage in the West, the conflict between China and Russia was well known to some, especially those who had immigrated to Hokkaido. I can only guess that it was as secretive as it was because two countries claiming to have established the perfect form of government (communism) would be in a border conflict. I came back to the USA and returned to college. Interestingly no one ever mentioned the conflict in any class I took (a state university in Illinois). Since I took 30 semester hours of Russian some 52 years ago (hence I have forgotten most of it), I loved listening to the language being spoken in travel. I am now past 75, so I am not certain I will get to make the trip, so thank you for taking us along on your journey.
yeah, i for some reason also felt it is up there among his best videos ever, the lady towards the end talking about 70s and 80s did it for me, as well :)
Boss, you literally bring tears to my eyes with the 'characters' you run into. Take for example the scarf-headed woman you're conversing with in the arboretum. She's nothing to 'market' and capitalize on, in the Western sense of the word. Yet, for those of us 'in-the-know', she reeks of culture, wisdom, and world experiences. I can just feel it. Thank you. I gadda say, this vlog, along with your Lunix IX, is one of your masterworks. Thanks.
If you have any Eastern European roots (as I do) and you have any involvement in the "community" of people, even away from the home country, you will come across individuals who are very proud of having historical knowledge and willing to impart that on anyone who shows an interest and ask questions. "Reeks of culture" is a great phrase, you can tell that that particular lady has great pride in who she is and where she comes from - yet, at the same time, is open minded enough to talk openly to a foreigner and complete stranger too.
I’m not sure what is the best thing about this channel, Benjamin's love of people or his passion for their history. He's never loutish, rude or arrogant, just genuinely interested and he definitely has a way with the babushkas.
@@fcoquezada not like he goes out of his way to show you him giving people money, if anything he does it so casually as to not make a big deal out of it. Why people always look for or make a negative take on things is beyond me.
@@fcoquezada You mean like giving the pleasant employees a tip? I'd say at the absolute worst it's a cheeky way for him to gain a little admiration from us showing he appreciates those workers. If he made a point to approach them in person and insisted they take his money and film their reaction (and did it excessively) I might agree, but that's pretty far from what he's doing.
Mark Twain said, “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.” You are helping all of us by being our surrogate traveler in Russia. Thank you very much.
Thanks for this citation, this is truely how it goes in life. The more you travel, the more you understand that the humans and places are diverse but yet pretty, and that you'd be a fool if you chose to stay at your cosy coach for life
3501 kms?!??!!?? My god that’s incredible. I’m learning so much from this channel. It’s also making people from other countries more human. Amazing stuff Bald thank you.
I remember reading a fascinating book by an author called Dervla Murphy, somewhat of a predecessor to Bald and Bankrupt. In her mid seventies and despite not speaking Russian she travelled alone across Siberia by the BAM in 2005 and became great friends with many Siberians, especially in Severobaikalsk. She also had a brilliant picture of the Winter Garden where there actually used to be a Flamingo called Yuri, who landed there by accident! She also loved a good beer with the locals just like Mr. Bald! The book is called Through Siberia By Accident and is a brilliant read!
Skyped my mum the other day and heard Russian in the back ground on the tele so I asked what they were watching. My mom tells me they are watching an episode of "Bald and Beautiful" about the trans-siberian. Whenever you're feeling down Mr. Bald, just know that to my mom you are bald and beautiful!
@@baldandbankrupt Hello from Australia. Just asking have you had your Vax or why not. Me will never . My Uncle died in Venice one day after Vax . Enjoying your videos very much. 👍
This is the most satisfying content to ever watch, service to humanity, every year that passes these videos will get more and more valuable. History is priceless.
Thanks for this great documentary Benjamin! I just want to let you know that not only the CCCP countries were involved, even my (West-)German Grandfather got invited as an engineer to support the construction of the BAM infrastructure in the late 1970th. It was a fascinating time back then, right before the Olympic Games 1980 in Moscow…
This channel is what we need at this time, Ben shows us all, that today where we are, we are all human. I honestly feel the love you have for Russia and her history is the same as mine. For 35 years I flew for BA, hundreds of my flights crossed this amazing land, I would look out of the window in awe. Thank you so much for bringing joy into our lives
And don't be shy to tell us after all these years that you never saw curvature of the earth out of your window, and that you had to correct the the nose down to keep level as you flew those thousands of miles. We both know it's flat. Respect.
@@dannffc for 20 years ive been flying for SA and I can tell you despite the contracts I signed the earth is completely flat. Don't believe the round earth propaganda. They try to wash your brain. I recommend a hat made of Al 13.
@@dannffc You haven't travelled enough. From both the cockpit and the passenger cabin of Concorde at 58,000 feet you can see clearly that the earth is not remotely flat. Its' real shape is a secret known only to those who are Operating Thetans.
18:12 love this lady: she’s so thorough when explaining the BAM history. Great presentation. It’s like she was presenting in front of a huge audience 🤔
This is legitimately the only channel I watch every minute and second of every video no matter the time of day, thanks for the top content always mate 👍
THIS is what the internet is all about. Travel to unknown places, meeting and making friends with interesting people, exploring history, culture, food and booze ;). My favourite channel on youtube for sure, thanks for everything you do my man.
@@nimmen Or it can be an excuse to not travel to unknown places etc. But Bald always reminds people aswell to go and visit theirselves, because he himself knows.
That babushka at the Palace of Culture seems like one of the greatest people you've met on this trip. So well-spoken, a lovely explainer, and knew her stuff. I would have absolutely wanted a whole episode on her and her stories, she's excellent!
It seems like Russian language is a must to truly experience this journey. This trip without stories and conversations with locals would be very insular.
@@222MovieMan It's not even the biggest project in URSS. They freaking went to space, a bit more impressive than laying railroad in the middle of nowhere.
Greetings here from Germany. I start watching your journey some weeks ago and i can feel the spirit. I was 2 years working in ukraine, living in a small city between the locals. And it was so nice. Back to germany i told my collegues when they were complaining about work and life, go there and you will know what you have at home. Greetings to all people in the East you have my greatest respect.
Infortunately no, this is not just a language barrier. Main problem is distance. I agree that there is a lot of wild, untouched and beautiful nature here, but it so far away from europian part of Russia (where 75% of population lives) that very few even russian people can efford such travels. Nobody wants to drive a car for 2 days nonstop to lake Baikal for example. If you would ask about airplanes, yeah this is an options for sure, but tickets to Europe is simply cheaper. So our nature areas are not popular with locals, unpopular=no infrastructure, no infrastructure= no more popularity. Of course a lot of people enjoy wild travels as it is, but more of them (as I am) would prefer comfortable options. If you ever really plan to visit Russia and you love wild travels, I highly recommend you to choose St. Petersburg not only because of the city, but also because you still have the opportunity to visit the countryside of Karelia (4x4 tours 🔥).
@Hailey Hedland You are right. As I said, it's not JUST a language barrier. Do millions chinese tourists around the world bother about language barrier?
"I don't watch television...its all propaganda!" Bless this man & everyone around the globe! In England, in USA, Russia... all the same message, but Bald is out there proving that we all can get along and love our fellow brothers and sisters in all parts of the world no matter where we are from!
We’re at peak bullshit level here in the USA. It’s more obvious than ever that the news networks are just propaganda arms of our politicians and alphabet agencies. It’s comical how obvious their lies and bullshit is. But I do have to say at least we’re not Canada or Australia who are now full steam ahead NWO and the fascist rule it seeks to impose on the entire western world.
Man, your channel is truly a gem. My mother worked in many Siberian cities as a doctor, and told me a lot about people, architecture, nature and so on, so glad that now I can watch it. Большое человеческое спасибо за ваш труд.
I used to spend hours on Google maps looking at all the towns and cities in Siberia. I've always wanted to see Lake Baikal some day too. Great content as always Mr.Bald!
Lots of Russians learn a lot about their own motherland from you! I would never have travelled to all these places myself, you showed them to me! And it’s even more interesting to see it from foreigner’s perspective!
@@adlhbgreqk Don't say such bad words. Modern Russians are literally not aware of the existence of such places, they are not told about them anywhere. You must understand that the country is huge and most people know only about the features of their areas.
If the average Russian is anything like the average American..... 50% of them know very little about other areas of their country and the history behind them. The younger ones have their faces buried in their smart phones 90% of the time, and their main concern is their Facebook and Instagram accounts, or something similar. Take away their phones and they would wander around like lost puppies not knowing what to do. They are our future! That is scary. We are being set up for the one world government and economic system.
Stumbled in this geezer by accident. Great videos. None of the usual condescension you usually get when interacting with ordinary Russians people. Great to see him interact with all the mature Russian ladies! Hope to visit Russia soon and this video has inspired me to go off the beaten (rail) track! Well done, sir - my compliments!
I can never thank you enough Bald, my dad always wanted to explore this side of russia, but with his age and health he can't travel far. This video series towards the east of Russia is very much appreciated by him.
The BBC couldn't do a better travel-docu. You are getting really professional at it now. I hope you make enough to continue travelling and recording fascinating people and places.
The BBC (or our Oz ABC) probably wouldn't. There seems to be a concerted effort to show Russia in a bad light at the moment. The Military-Industrial establishment needs to promote a feeling of military insecurity to justify its ever increasing demands for expenditure.
@@Willisters1 all the Baltic states were in SSSR at that times, so lots of people from different countries were building BAM. My grandfather was also working there.
@ignorance world same as American settlers. Same as Americans and what their doing across the seas. For someone with a name tag like that you'd think you know the whole world is filled with political assholes
@ignorance world Oh shut up will you. Name one nation that invaded pristine lands and didn't stomp the locals. Start with the americans will you? You're living up to your name, first part of it at least.
Я русский из Петербурга, мне 37 лет, коренной Петербуржец, но мне после этого видео стыдно! Я даже английский не знаю и смотрел с субтитрами, но за эти 35 минут узнал так много информации и так интересно она подана, что думаю ни один учитель в России так бы интересно и увлекательно не смог бы рассказать про БАМ! После этого ролика хочется гуглить, гуглить и ещё раз гуглить более подробно про великий БАМ!
I felt his pain. I had to once sleep in a room, with a flatmate, whilst on a trip. The decibels were so high I decided, fuck it - grabbed my pillow, grabbed a bedsheet and slept on the carpeted floor of the living room cos there was no way I was gonna get any sleep inside the room
A snoring dude is an integral part of pretty much any Russian train experience. I once was on a train with a dude that snored and yelled while being asleep both at the same time. I wonder what attracts that kind of dudes to trains...
I love that you don’t beg your viewers to like and subscribe at the end of your videos like most UA-camrs do. If you make quality content, your viewers will do that on their own.
Thank you! I'm glad I'm not the only one who gets annoyed by the constant self-promotion of content creators! "Be sure to like, share, and subscribe..." In every video! If you put out quality content, there's absolutely no need to "remind" people to subscribe!
Amazing, you open the eyes of the world to see Russia beyond the propaganda. You must be loved by thousands there, and of course your fans here. Strength to you!
I can’t believe you don’t carry any ear plugs when travelling to block out the noise. Another superb look at Russia as you cross it. I just cannot get my head around how big it really is, so to build that BAM railway across it is just incredible. Thx 🙂👍🏻
I , like many people have Tinnitus...constant ringing in the ears. My ringing actually sounds more like crickets chirping non-stop. Most of the time I forget it's there though. If I wear ear plugs it's like the volume of the crickets is turned up to maximum ! So I can't wear earplugs...
The magic of Ben's videos is that somehow they give you that vibe of "oh man, I wish I could do exactly the same, just travel across lands, meet people, ride trains and be happy and free". It's a wholesome feeling
This so much! I would never dare because I'm a woman, but Bald kinda does it for me, and that makes it less bitter. At least someone out there is doing what I'd like to.
For a non-Russian I have studied a LOT about Russia/USSR both personally and academically, but this is the first time I heard of the BAM! Thank you for the candid education! I continue to learn about Russia. In a humorous context, I would NOT rub Lenin’s head for good luck.😬
This is one of the coolest videos I've seen in a while. Not just of yours Bald, but in general. The interactions you have along the way, the snoring man, the impromptu tour from the older woman in the red sweater. Such a wholesome, genuine experience. Never stop traveling!
@@BadiehWoTBlitzMore The fact that Bald takes the time to divulge information about every little journey is definitely a factor that’s kept me watching
Love your content! As a Russian guy I can confirm that you know much more about Russian history than a typical Russian citizen. Thank you for driving interest about the Russian history. Keep going and good luck! Hope to see you some time :)
The freaking commitment you put into making these videos is nothing but admirable. I mean it's 4.40 am, you spent the last 3 hours listening to a guy snore without sleeping a minute, it's freezing outside, and you get off the train just to show us the station and talk about the city you're in. All of this by yourself. Incredible respect for you!
I am more concerned that he gets off into -5C wearing a simple sweater while you can see locals in coats and scarfs. Bald is known to catch cold easily, yet he does such dumb things.
@@ferenctoth1801 Bald is going to be fine. He has a high wattage super computing brain that generates a lot of heat. You can see that from his shiny no covering head.
Hey, me, Tomichka here again. My grandad and grandma were involved in the construction of the bridges stretching along BAM's 3501 km. My grandad worked right at the railway bridge construction spots for decades and my grandma was an accountant in those construction projects for the same long time. By the time they almost got retired they settled in Tomsk.
I said to myself and friends that I would never go to Russia...but now it's all changed after watching this vdo. Very kind people all around. I'm planning my trip overland all the way from where I am...Thailand. Thank you. Let me know if ever you'll be over to Thailand...
The day bald stops doing his travels will be a sad day indeed, one of the best people on youtube and I thank you for sharing this slice of the world with us all
As a Russian-American living in the US, you inspired me to this trip in my life time, not only because of the vastness and beauty of Siberia, but also because of my roots since my babyushka was born in Khabarovsk ! As always be safe and love, love, love your adventures, especially the ones involving the vastness of Russia and its history.
It drives you crazy to mind that it took entire century to build something that last tsars proposed, Bolsheviks tried but failed, and Putin is about to finish or pass to the next rulers.
This brought back so many memories! I travelled the BAM railway back in 2007 and had a very similar experience with a guy snoring so loudly I had zero sleep! Lol Great seeing the landscape and towns along the way. It's a beautiful part of the world :)
On 9th minute when he came to the Lena station, the town is called Ust'-Kut. I was used to live in Yakutia in a village called Peleduy, and in order to get to the Ust'-Kut, I had to spend around 13 hours on a cruise boat "Polesye". So exciting to see familiar places in Bald's video
Thank you Ben for visiting my hometown Severobaikalsk❤️ it was unexpected😁I subscribed to your blog to improve my knowledge of the English language and then you decided to show the city of my childhood! Amazing!👏🥰
I think this is the best trip you've done so far. The more east you go, the more fascinating and unknown Russia gets. I hope you will explore the areas around the northern coast in the future, maybe next summer? Can't wait to see more Siberia.
I would love to see videos on the North too. You hear about a handful of tourism in the far-East, but so rarely do people venture up into the Russian Arctic.
Sadly it's ending prematurely :( Bald posted today on IG that he has to leave Russia because the government has implemented very strict Covid measures.
I like how the older people always remember the late 70s and early 80s as good times. That wasn't just in Russia. I think that time was unique around the world. This time period was also a good time in Canada and the USA. Its nice to see that people on the other side of the world enjoyed that time period as well.
That time in USSR is called "zastoy" (stagnation). Economic problems, aged government, lack of goods and so on. But country became more and more open to the world, old dogmas ruined completely, informal culture started to rise. And don`t forget about free education, medical treatment, apartments and paid vacation travels. That`s why for many people these were good times.
Every time period had its troubles, whether a good time period or bad. Not sure why people would call that time "zastoy" though, as the USSR built a LOT of infrastructure during that time. I would think our current time period would be more "zastoy" than the 70s and 80s were, lol, even here in North America, our government stinks of "zastoy" to the high heavens! ;) Ah well, hindsight is 20/20, no? We tend to think the current times we are living in were more difficult than the past, well, wait and see what's to come. "Zastoy" is increasing around the world! Than you for that bit of insight into Russian culture, my friend.
@@dinis8271 Every time period had its troubles. I never said that time period was perfect. Some things get better, some things get worse. No matter the time period, though, you can always find those who hate, and try to spread that hate, even in our modern era. Will things get better for minority groups? I don't know. I hope so, but I have no say or control over those in power. I will say, though, things need to change and quick before its too late and the greedy destroy our planet.
Well Ben I've always longed to travel in Russia. I only found your channel due to my interest in ekranoplans and I've been binge watching ever since. I read somewhere you are giving up blogging but I hope that's not true. I'm 60 now and I think next year I'll be breaking my Russian travel virginity. Thanks for all the great videos you've done... you're a real inspiration. Shalom brother.
Hey! Im Russian and its very interesting to watch. I once wanted to visit BAM myself, but havent had the opportunity yet. There are no bloggers on Russian UA-cam who have traveled through our country like you with such an interesting presentation of information. Thank you very much! Keep up the good work!
I have watched your videos from earlier days in India, shared excitement when you first crossed a 100000 subscribers, traced your path through East Europe and have been riding the Trans Siberian Railway with you. This was excellent. Possibly one of the best features on your channel. Between your knowledge of language and history and the immense curiosity that drives you beyond your comfort zone, Russia for me comes beautifully alive with each piece of your documentation.
Of course there is hope! All People in the world want to enjoy their oh so short stay on this great planet of ours. If traveling has taught me anything, it's to go through life with open eyes and ears at all times. No matter the prospects no matter the funds. Stay curious and make stuff happen
Please keep that hopeful outlook alive! there is so much that makes us all the same human species on this beautiful planet and yet so many people are damned to hate others and live in their cesspools of hate and prejudice.
I'm a Russian from West Siberia who's been to New Jersey on a student exchange program. And now I'm back home, watching The Sopranos and reminiscing about those places. Crazy world, huh?
It's hard for people to understand the engineering aspect of things. I'm glad Bald can appreciate it. It truly is a stunning feat for humanity to be able to do such a thing; tunnel mountains, flatten hills, just to lay down steel and wood for some big motorized contraption to zip through there.
The BAM is likely a Engineering feat that's never been taught about, nor spoken about. Shame really. Thanks for bring it to light! Very interesting video!
I've said before - but my only complaint is that your babushka interviews are too short! They're so interesting and will serve as recorded history of those past days. Imagine in 20 or 30 years if their families find these videos - how much they'd love them.
Ben's knowledge of Russian language is amazing! I am lucky I was born speaking it all my life and could only imagine how difficult it might have been for him to study it. Now living in Canada for many years and speaking English fluently I can appreciate very much when Ben speaks Russian in a soft voice. Anyone would agree how carefully and warm he speaks in Russian and knowing both languages I do not even notice the difference when he switches back and forth from English to Russian and vice versa 👏😄
Many people on Australia leaving Australia now. One family left Australia and moved to Russia. The interview with this man was recorded in UA-cam channel Aussie Cossack. It's is very interesting.
@@loveheals3289 The fun part I am not even from Russia nor ever lived there but visited it several times. I was born in Kazakhstan and lived there all my life before moving to Canada.
I was a kid until almost 15 years of age, in the old Soviet Lithuania, and even belonged to a Locomotive club that had everything to do with railroads and trains! I live vicariously thru you right now! Miss the train travel, and would love to go and do a long journey on the old Soviet railroad! Very unique! Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦!
What a great series these last few videos are. As a Russian who never was in these parts of the country I feel proud of Benjamin who is doing this pilgrimage for all of us Russian lads and gals who prefer to live in the comfort of Moscow, St. Petersburg or elsewhere abroad. Bloody well done, mate
I love the moment after Bald has conversations with the locals in perfect Russian, then walks away speaking a quintessential British accent to his camera... the sheer look of surprise on their faces is always gold
@@noizekiller Really? I thought he was at least proficient if not fluent. So does he speaks like a kid who’s learning to speak or just doesn’t use any grammar at all?
His Russian is not bad at all, a little too much of street vocabulary to my taste, but it works for him. Even the very cultural lady in the winter garden did not have perfect grammar 🤓
@@komichan4409 he speaks with the short sentences due to the lack of grammar. It serves the purpose, but far from proficiency. And his accent is very cute.
His Russian is enough to get by and have a simple conversation but any Russian would know that he is not from there by his accent and use of words. It’s getting a lot better though
The moment you reached the lake was really special for me. I've dreamt about getting there since I was a kid. I will definitely go and film some stuff there, too, one day! Absolutely amazing video, mate!
Thanks, Ben.. this is absolutely fascinating. I love the direction you are taking this channel... your love of this culture is evident and you are showing a side of the Russian culture that the world never gets to see, and in a manner that is so approachable. You seriously deserve some kind of journalism award my friend.
I love baldys videos, no advertisements, no heavy editing, or selling something, just a real vlog of one's jouney. It like we are exploring with him its awesome. Siberia is fascinating to see.
i like how the Russian guy on the train, turns off his TV, when media says bad things about Ukraine and the West. I do the same. I am so tired of this "balls-size-competition" between West and East. So I do the same, when the West portraits the East like villains! Turn off the TV.. Thank you Bald for a great cultural experience.
Every day I check UA-cam hoping to see a new Bald and Bankrupt video!!! Today is a good day. Thank you for all your amazing content sir. best wishes, Mike
These are his last videos in a QnA 9 months ago he said that he has another 8-9 months of youtube , after he has visited the last soviet destinations he is going to quit youtube and become an author or a photographer
@@santaclawz4431 he said this?? Chasing his dreams I suppose
You should turn on the notifications so you don’t need to check YT everyday and you can see his videos as soon as they’re posted.
He is a legend.
@@yo-hydro815 yes you can find the video in the Indian playlist I think
Bald’s videos put a smile on my face. No pretension, no fancy music/graphics. Just raw passionate vlogging. Will be a dark day when Bald gives this up.
he might get signed up to work on a travel channel to be a presenter with a bigger budget? But we've seen how theres a different vibe when he doesn't speak the language of places like Cuba or Mexico, and how his best work is when he speaks to the locals in russian, so I really dont know?
Raw passionate vlogging 🤣🤣🤣
Absolutely. I hope he continues at least in the foreseeable future!
@@davidemelia6296 oh please. hope you get sued for still spreading this bs.
No pretension my ass
Learning about my country through the eyes of a foreigner. What a nice ride!
You named your mirror?
Da
Me sorprende verte aqui haha , muy bien!
mi compa el rusito , ven a México.
@@fredcarter2894 Look! Soviet chemtrails.
Gotta say, as an American, learning about all these little Russian towns and republics and train stations is weirdly interesting. What a fascinating country.
Geography teacher here. Absolutely cracking first 90 seconds in terms of catching the audience's attention, and keeping it for the rest of the video. A stunning lesson in how geography, economics and politics intersect. I spent the next 3 hours reading up on everything I could find about the BAM etc..:-).
When I was a kid, growing up in the 1980's Soviet Union, the BAM was omnipresent on the TV. Every news program would have a segment dedicated to it.
you are a good teacher, i would love to join your classes
I taught geography as well, now retired. Baldy is the best ambassador for the subject that I've ever come across.
check out Colin Thubrons in Siberia and the amur, both filled with lots of good info and travel tales
@@BillLowenburg Wow! His videos barely touch on anything though. You might wanna look @ a wider variety of YT videos then. I.M.O.
I’m having one of the worst times in my life mentally, health wise and financially. As soon as I came across your channel and watched a few of them I felt my mood lift instantly. Due to my health issues I have only been able to leave my home 7 times this year and it’s now November!! I feel as if I’m escaping through you. Please keep them coming. Keep safe n sane chap
I don't know how he does it. It is like he has an entire crew with him - you know, like Palin and those other indefatigable travellers.
The editing alone is fantastic. And, apart from the utterly fascinating subject matter, beautiful scenery and masterful commentary, there are all these little touches everywhere that act like punctuation marks or conjunctions linking the "text" together. It's brilliant stuff. Award winning really, but there is no UA-cam category at the Emmys. There should be!
Cheers mate
@@baldandbankrupt bri’ish be like
*recieves heart felt comment*
Cheers m8
Well put Ingens 👏👍
Palin is nothing in comparison with bald. Thinking he's talking with real citizens of North Korea 😂
@@baldandbankrupt How humble.
Человек, который делает для туризма России больше, чем все министерства. Спасибо!
"They weren't just legends. They were ....Soviet legends."
Fecking epic. Bald just keeps crushing it.
Just needed the opening bar of the national anthem for perfection.
@Repent
"Religion is the opiate of the masses" Karl Marx..
@Repent Dude. C'mon now. Go on somewhere 🤪
@@muslimsocialist9310 Amen! I mean, yeah;
The storytelling, the encounters, the filming and editing, it's all pure gold. The sheer amount of research that must have gone into making these episodes is mind boggling. You have a great gift, thank you so much for sharing it with us.
Whats great is that there must be a massive amount of planning involved, but he films in such a way it he makes it seem like he just jumps off the train and goes for a walkabout until he finds something interesting.
@@MrThirst so his jumping off the trains is preplanned?!
@@ptuparttimeutuber2236 yeah dude it isnt planned, we just happen to see the best parts of it
@@babymammuth5074 but that’s not what the commenters saying though.
Thats why we were addicted to his bald head 😂😂😂😂
My parents who joined the BAM construction in the early 80s always say that they felt like pioneers colonizing a new untouched planet. The youth of humanity got together on that project, enthusiastic and full of aspiration for the bright future of mankind, an interstellar communist future.
Alexandros, boris na les ligo apo tin istoria su? Ise apo tin elada? Pos itan oti i gonies su itan stin sovietiki enosi? Pos vgikan stin elada? evharisto
@@yuriythebest Ναι φίλε μου, είμαι από Ελλάδα. Ο πατέρας μου είναι Έλληνας τού Πόντου, από εκείνους που έγκατασταθηκαν στην τσαρική Ρωσία γύρω στο 1917. Μετά τον δεύτερο παγκόσμιο, μετακινήθηκαν στο Καζαχστάν, εκεί γεννήθηκε ο πατέρας μου κι από εκεί ξεκίνησε για το БАМ. Εγώ γεννήθηκα σε μία μικρή πόλη 300 χιλιόμετρα νότια του Γιακούτσκ, το Τομμοτ.
@@yuriythebest Στην Ελλάδα ήρθαμε μετά την κατάρευση τής Σοβιετικής Ένωσης.
@@Alex_1984 para poli endiaferon, evharisto! Ego ime amo tin Ukrania, zusa stin elada otan imun pedi. Tora akuo ta elinika podcast ya na min ksehaso ta elinika.
@@yuriythebest Μπράβο σου που προσπαθείς να κρατήσεις τα ελληνικά! Μια γλώσσα είναι σαν επιπλέον ζευγάρι μάτια για να βλέπεις τον κόσμο.
Man gotta say, im not like an absolute avid watcher of your channel, but you’ve got such a positive attitude towards life in general and it really puts a smile on my face, even in the less than ideal days, Thank you for doing what you’re doing man!
I agree with you, Bald is always so positive about the smallest things.
In 1969 I was in Japan. My job took me near Russian airspace. Although it had very little coverage in the West, the conflict between China and Russia was well known to some, especially those who had immigrated to Hokkaido. I can only guess that it was as secretive as it was because two countries claiming to have established the perfect form of government (communism) would be in a border conflict. I came back to the USA and returned to college. Interestingly no one ever mentioned the conflict in any class I took (a state university in Illinois). Since I took 30 semester hours of Russian some 52 years ago (hence I have forgotten most of it), I loved listening to the language being spoken in travel. I am now past 75, so I am not certain I will get to make the trip, so thank you for taking us along on your journey.
Benjamin's travel videos are truly unique and his social skills off the charts.
He gets a lot out of them. I would be run out of the village if I were mucking about there.
read me no, his expertise only makes it look like that.
Bald finding a lush, green, arboretum in the cold of Siberia in a gray building was breathtaking in a way. one of his best videos yet.
yeah, i for some reason also felt it is up there among his best videos ever, the lady towards the end talking about 70s and 80s did it for me, as well :)
Winter gardens are a real deal in Russia, people want to visit a bit of the tropics sometimes in those cold long winters
I know right. Who'd guess you'd find tropical plants and turtles in a giant greenhouse in Siberia
Yes I agree. Its felt like some place from colony on Mars.
Fun to see places from my past. I was one of those who built the railroad back in the day. Saw the Tynda Vokzal being constructed.
Boss, you literally bring tears to my eyes with the 'characters' you run into. Take for example the scarf-headed woman you're conversing with in the arboretum. She's nothing to 'market' and capitalize on, in the Western sense of the word. Yet, for those of us 'in-the-know', she reeks of culture, wisdom, and world experiences. I can just feel it. Thank you. I gadda say, this vlog, along with your Lunix IX, is one of your masterworks. Thanks.
If you have any Eastern European roots (as I do) and you have any involvement in the "community" of people, even away from the home country, you will come across individuals who are very proud of having historical knowledge and willing to impart that on anyone who shows an interest and ask questions. "Reeks of culture" is a great phrase, you can tell that that particular lady has great pride in who she is and where she comes from - yet, at the same time, is open minded enough to talk openly to a foreigner and complete stranger too.
This was an epic video, one of Benjamin's best. Better than any travel show I have ever seen.
I’m not sure what is the best thing about this channel, Benjamin's love of people or his passion for their history. He's never loutish, rude or arrogant, just genuinely interested and he definitely has a way with the babushkas.
Totally agree. His respect for people is so laudable.
@@fcoquezada huh???
@@fcoquezada lol there are plenty he didn't give on camera.
@@fcoquezada not like he goes out of his way to show you him giving people money, if anything he does it so casually as to not make a big deal out of it. Why people always look for or make a negative take on things is beyond me.
@@fcoquezada You mean like giving the pleasant employees a tip? I'd say at the absolute worst it's a cheeky way for him to gain a little admiration from us showing he appreciates those workers. If he made a point to approach them in person and insisted they take his money and film their reaction (and did it excessively) I might agree, but that's pretty far from what he's doing.
Mark Twain said, “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.”
You are helping all of us by being our surrogate traveler in Russia. Thank you very much.
Thanks for this citation, this is truely how it goes in life. The more you travel, the more you understand that the humans and places are diverse but yet pretty, and that you'd be a fool if you chose to stay at your cosy coach for life
If I may add, "The more I travel, the less I know." Anthony Bourdain said it but he may have been quoting someone else;
Great comment 🙏
Beautiful
@@4398flsdj Do you mean that travelling remove diversity? Why?
3501 kms?!??!!?? My god that’s incredible. I’m learning so much from this channel. It’s also making people from other countries more human. Amazing stuff Bald thank you.
I remember reading a fascinating book by an author called Dervla Murphy, somewhat of a predecessor to Bald and Bankrupt. In her mid seventies and despite not speaking Russian she travelled alone across Siberia by the BAM in 2005 and became great friends with many Siberians, especially in Severobaikalsk. She also had a brilliant picture of the Winter Garden where there actually used to be a Flamingo called Yuri, who landed there by accident! She also loved a good beer with the locals just like Mr. Bald! The book is called Through Siberia By Accident and is a brilliant read!
Thank you, I will try to find a copy.
Thanks for the info mate.
She also travelled from Ireland to India by bike. Great Traveller!
I just tracked it down. It looks great!
I read all of her books! She is a legend!
Skyped my mum the other day and heard Russian in the back ground on the tele so I asked what they were watching. My mom tells me they are watching an episode of "Bald and Beautiful" about the trans-siberian.
Whenever you're feeling down Mr. Bald, just know that to my mom you are bald and beautiful!
That’s put an extra spring in my step. Must be the ‘just for men’ I’m using in my beard now
@@baldandbankrupt
Hello from Australia. Just asking have you had your Vax or why not. Me will never . My Uncle died in Venice one day after Vax . Enjoying your videos very much. 👍
This is hilarious 😆
I thought he was the 'Bald and Corrupted' as per the video he did with NFKRZ
@@nicholaswoollhead6830 Yeah I saw that 👍
This is the most satisfying content to ever watch, service to humanity, every year that passes these videos will get more and more valuable. History is priceless.
summarized it the best
Thanks for this great documentary Benjamin! I just want to let you know that not only the CCCP countries were involved, even my (West-)German Grandfather got invited as an engineer to support the construction of the BAM infrastructure in the late 1970th. It was a fascinating time back then, right before the Olympic Games 1980 in Moscow…
This channel is what we need at this time, Ben shows us all, that today where we are, we are all human. I honestly feel the love you have for Russia and her history is the same as mine. For 35 years I flew for BA, hundreds of my flights crossed this amazing land, I would look out of the window in awe. Thank you so much for bringing joy into our lives
And don't be shy to tell us after all these years that you never saw curvature of the earth out of your window, and that you had to correct the the nose down to keep level as you flew those thousands of miles. We both know it's flat. Respect.
@@dannffc Are you joking or just showing your stupidity?
@@dannffc bad bait
@@dannffc for 20 years ive been flying for SA and I can tell you despite the contracts I signed the earth is completely flat. Don't believe the round earth propaganda. They try to wash your brain. I recommend a hat made of Al 13.
@@dannffc You haven't travelled enough. From both the cockpit and the passenger cabin of Concorde at 58,000 feet you can see clearly that the earth is not remotely flat. Its' real shape is a secret known only to those who are Operating Thetans.
18:12 love this lady: she’s so thorough when explaining the BAM history. Great presentation. It’s like she was presenting in front of a huge audience 🤔
I'll never forget that, that was such an interesting place
I agree 💯 %...
She is presenting it to millions
I am sure she did her biggest presentation in terms of audience.
Her voice is incredible.
This is legitimately the only channel I watch every minute and second of every video no matter the time of day, thanks for the top content always mate 👍
Wow
Also....I second this. This channel always delivers!
👍
The guys a bloody legend
Same.
You can tell that lady doesnt get to conduct tours often, especially not with a foreigner. She was very happy to show you around.
THIS is what the internet is all about.
Travel to unknown places, meeting and making friends with interesting people, exploring history, culture, food and booze ;).
My favourite channel on youtube for sure, thanks for everything you do my man.
You don't get any of that on the internet. Only videos of it.
@@InnocentLemonade Still, one can fantasise. Keeps the mind healty
@@nimmen Or it can be an excuse to not travel to unknown places etc. But Bald always reminds people aswell to go and visit theirselves, because he himself knows.
@@InnocentLemonade Or it can motivate them to do it.
I have several favorite UA-camrs but bald is definitely one of the tops
Amazing, well educated middle-aged lady guide. The way she was speaking slowly and legible for non-native speakers to understand.
Bet she was smoking hot back in the day
That babushka at the Palace of Culture seems like one of the greatest people you've met on this trip. So well-spoken, a lovely explainer, and knew her stuff. I would have absolutely wanted a whole episode on her and her stories, she's excellent!
Она алкоголичка 😁 хотя в тех местах невозможно не стать алкоголиком.
Yeah, she was great! Lovely lady
Not quite a babushka, she's probably 40-something
She's "grandma", mister words raider. Just a reminder to a speaker of god sended thing.
Little known fact: She was miss December in 2011’s Babushka’s Secrets.
Mr. Bald and Bankrupt is the most authentic and unpretentious gentleman on UA-cam
The lady selling ice cream on the train seemed sweet. The staff in general seemed very friendly and gregarious
It seems like Russian language is a must to truly experience this journey. This trip without stories and conversations with locals would be very insular.
The Western world could learn a lot from Russia, but sadly does not want to.
That incredibly cultured woman was such a fantastic guide. "Yes, of course."
She is what one may describe as a good flirt. Flirt being a useful communication facilitator.
Yes but saying the railroad is the biggest project ever in mankind history was quite the brag. Definitely not the biggest project.
@@222MovieMan It's not even the biggest project in URSS. They freaking went to space, a bit more impressive than laying railroad in the middle of nowhere.
@@222MovieMan She forgot about the chinese great wall ^^'
@@222MovieMan she worded it weirdly but she meant there were no projects like BAM in the 20th century. The subtitles are a bit off
That train station/arboretum lady was cool. She seemed very knowledgeable.
Greetings here from Germany. I start watching your journey some weeks ago and i can feel the spirit. I was 2 years working in ukraine, living in a small city between the locals. And it was so nice. Back to germany i told my collegues when they were complaining about work and life, go there and you will know what you have at home. Greetings to all people in the East you have my greatest respect.
I think russia is really underrated. Nature is so beautiful there - It's just the language barrier
Infortunately no, this is not just a language barrier. Main problem is distance. I agree that there is a lot of wild, untouched and beautiful nature here, but it so far away from europian part of Russia (where 75% of population lives) that very few even russian people can efford such travels. Nobody wants to drive a car for 2 days nonstop to lake Baikal for example. If you would ask about airplanes, yeah this is an options for sure, but tickets to Europe is simply cheaper. So our nature areas are not popular with locals, unpopular=no infrastructure, no infrastructure= no more popularity. Of course a lot of people enjoy wild travels as it is, but more of them (as I am) would prefer comfortable options.
If you ever really plan to visit Russia and you love wild travels, I highly recommend you to choose St. Petersburg not only because of the city, but also because you still have the opportunity to visit the countryside of Karelia (4x4 tours 🔥).
@Hailey Hedland You are right. As I said, it's not JUST a language barrier. Do millions chinese tourists around the world bother about language barrier?
@@stanislavl8356 well I guess that’s what must keep it so wild and beautiful lmao
@Hailey Hedland why should we speak when we can swipe right and get on to business
@Hailey Hedland learn russian then? its not rocket science
"I don't watch television...its all propaganda!"
Bless this man & everyone around the globe! In England, in USA, Russia... all the same message, but Bald is out there proving that we all can get along and love our fellow brothers and sisters in all parts of the world no matter where we are from!
I don’t think we were all ever supposed to hold hands, but we can at-least live in peace if there is enough distance.
Sadly its more bullshit these day’s on the tv
We’re at peak bullshit level here in the USA. It’s more obvious than ever that the news networks are just propaganda arms of our politicians and alphabet agencies. It’s comical how obvious their lies and bullshit is. But I do have to say at least we’re not Canada or Australia who are now full steam ahead NWO and the fascist rule it seeks to impose on the entire western world.
👍
Well, in internet propaganda too
WHO Never miss even a single VLOG OF THIS Man. GOD BLESS YOU MY FRIEND
You too 🙏
My nr 1 youtube channel. Bald never fails to entertain
Never paused or skipped a second
I missed one episode but was drunk. I drank Soviet vodka so it doesn't count
@@PoisonSapphire 💯
Man, your channel is truly a gem. My mother worked in many Siberian cities as a doctor, and told me a lot about people, architecture, nature and so on, so glad that now I can watch it. Большое человеческое спасибо за ваш труд.
I love that you go from educational historical content to “let’s find a beer and visit the wall of hotties!”
Brilliant!
I used to spend hours on Google maps looking at all the towns and cities in Siberia. I've always wanted to see Lake Baikal some day too. Great content as always Mr.Bald!
I recommend to see towns and cities in Russian Far East. Even more unknown
Go and do it dude! It looks awesome!
I do this too. Street view is great, too. It's like you can place yourself anywhere. Almost.
Я сейчас тоже самое делаю ,я сам из Эстонии а живу в Лондоне ! 👍🏻
Lots of Russians learn a lot about their own motherland from you! I would never have travelled to all these places myself, you showed them to me! And it’s even more interesting to see it from foreigner’s perspective!
Only ignorant ones
@@adlhbgreqk Don't say such bad words. Modern Russians are literally not aware of the existence of such places, they are not told about them anywhere. You must understand that the country is huge and most people know only about the features of their areas.
А что за сосед - "дундук" сидит напротив и даже не разговаривает ? .. Какие доброжелательные и интеллектуальные люди ...)))
It’s the same way in uk too not many people travel to London or knew much about it.. same thing in United state
If the average Russian is anything like the average American..... 50% of them know very little about other areas of their country and the history behind them. The younger ones have their faces buried in their smart phones 90% of the time, and their main concern is their Facebook and Instagram accounts, or something similar. Take away their phones and they would wander around like lost puppies not knowing what to do. They are our future! That is scary. We are being set up for the one world government and economic system.
Stumbled in this geezer by accident. Great videos. None of the usual condescension you usually get when interacting with ordinary Russians people. Great to see him interact with all the mature Russian ladies!
Hope to visit Russia soon and this video has inspired me to go off the beaten (rail) track!
Well done, sir - my compliments!
I can never thank you enough Bald, my dad always wanted to explore this side of russia, but with his age and health he can't travel far. This video series towards the east of Russia is very much appreciated by him.
I hope you watch all these videos with him
Wooow ❤️
Legend
The BBC couldn't do a better travel-docu. You are getting really professional at it now. I hope you make enough to continue travelling and recording fascinating people and places.
Bald guy with a beard won't be eligible for a job with BBC😂
B.roadcasting
B.ullshit
C.onstantly
No but they sure are good at predicting building collapses in advance
@@AFriedChicken got that right
The BBC (or our Oz ABC) probably wouldn't. There seems to be a concerted effort to show Russia in a bad light at the moment. The Military-Industrial establishment needs to promote a feeling of military insecurity to justify its ever increasing demands for expenditure.
As a Latvian, I learned something new about our people from a British man in Siberia. What an odd world we live in... I love it! Thank you.
I like to think this is what the internet is intended to do!
wikipedia says it was built by people from lithuania
@@Willisters1 all the Baltic states were in SSSR at that times, so lots of people from different countries were building BAM. My grandfather was also working there.
@ignorance world same as American settlers. Same as Americans and what their doing across the seas. For someone with a name tag like that you'd think you know the whole world is filled with political assholes
@ignorance world Oh shut up will you. Name one nation that invaded pristine lands and didn't stomp the locals. Start with the americans will you? You're living up to your name, first part of it at least.
Я русский из Петербурга, мне 37 лет, коренной Петербуржец, но мне после этого видео стыдно! Я даже английский не знаю и смотрел с субтитрами, но за эти 35 минут узнал так много информации и так интересно она подана, что думаю ни один учитель в России так бы интересно и увлекательно не смог бы рассказать про БАМ! После этого ролика хочется гуглить, гуглить и ещё раз гуглить более подробно про великий БАМ!
Snoring dude cracked me up.
I absolutely hated it, was actually just going to bed when I noticed the video and I immediatedly became un-tired after hearing the bloody snorer
I felt his pain. I had to once sleep in a room, with a flatmate, whilst on a trip. The decibels were so high I decided, fuck it - grabbed my pillow, grabbed a bedsheet and slept on the carpeted floor of the living room cos there was no way I was gonna get any sleep inside the room
Someone send Bald some good ear plugs!
A snoring dude is an integral part of pretty much any Russian train experience. I once was on a train with a dude that snored and yelled while being asleep both at the same time. I wonder what attracts that kind of dudes to trains...
Upgrade next time
I love that you don’t beg your viewers to like and subscribe at the end of your videos like most UA-camrs do. If you make quality content, your viewers will do that on their own.
It's not always like that.
Thank you! I'm glad I'm not the only one who gets annoyed by the constant self-promotion of content creators!
"Be sure to like, share, and subscribe..." In every video! If you put out quality content, there's absolutely no need to "remind" people to subscribe!
@@centuryrox research tells otherwise. Sorry.
Amazing, you open the eyes of the world to see Russia beyond the propaganda. You must be loved by thousands there, and of course your fans here. Strength to you!
For what to love him, 60% of what he tells is fairy tales for Western viewers.
This content is way better than History Channel TV.
Greetings from Tampico-México 🙋🏻♂️🇲🇽
I can’t believe you don’t carry any ear plugs when travelling to block out the noise. Another superb look at Russia as you cross it. I just cannot get my head around how big it really is, so to build that BAM railway across it is just incredible. Thx 🙂👍🏻
Earplugs barely stop out snoring noises...
Or maybe some noise-canceling headphones. If I sleep with earplugs it amplifies the sound of my own breathing and I still can’t sleep.
@@tcschenks Ye, with earplugs it is always choice between breathing or sleeping.
I , like many people have Tinnitus...constant ringing in the ears. My ringing actually sounds more like crickets chirping non-stop. Most of the time I forget it's there though. If I wear ear plugs it's like the volume of the crickets is turned up to maximum ! So I can't wear earplugs...
Noise cancelling Bluetooth headphones work great on airplanes too.
I was adopted from Russia and your videos allow me to really experience my people and culture.. thank you!
Greetings from Latvia! I am glad to see you traveling so deep in Russia and finding a part of Latvia there as well. What a content.....
Lithuania built Novy Uoyan (New Uoyan), not Latvia.
Latvia and Belarus built Taksimo.
Sveiciens! Neticēju satikt te kādu savējo!😁👌🏻
Patīkami🤜🏻🤛🏻
Liekas ka lisijs kko sajauca, Wikipēdija saka ka Lietuvieši veidoja
Ben's fantastic humour and empathy for the people he meets really makes this series a special experience.
3M+ subs and still no annoying promotions in between just
100% authentic videos with great introspect, editing, commentary.
Endless love to this man.
Benjamin deserves a lifetime award for sure. A hero
👍❤️
Showed this to my Russian mom and she's now reliving her past remembering the construction of the BAM - thanks Bald! You rock!
The magic of Ben's videos is that somehow they give you that vibe of "oh man, I wish I could do exactly the same, just travel across lands, meet people, ride trains and be happy and free". It's a wholesome feeling
yes, hopefully my next life...lol
о здарова ты ведь тоже своего рода bald
Даня 😈
@@vladcepesh3895 yes
This so much! I would never dare because I'm a woman, but Bald kinda does it for me, and that makes it less bitter. At least someone out there is doing what I'd like to.
For a non-Russian I have studied a LOT about Russia/USSR both personally and academically, but this is the first time I heard of the BAM! Thank you for the candid education! I continue to learn about Russia. In a humorous context, I would NOT rub Lenin’s head for good luck.😬
Rub Lenin's head for GULAG
This is one of the coolest videos I've seen in a while. Not just of yours Bald, but in general. The interactions you have along the way, the snoring man, the impromptu tour from the older woman in the red sweater. Such a wholesome, genuine experience. Never stop traveling!
On point !!!!!!
This is why i love his videos,always very interesting and fun to watch! Not only that but you learn a lot of history,which is an added bonus
@@BadiehWoTBlitzMore The fact that Bald takes the time to divulge information about every little journey is definitely a factor that’s kept me watching
Love your content! As a Russian guy I can confirm that you know much more about Russian history than a typical Russian citizen. Thank you for driving interest about the Russian history. Keep going and good luck! Hope to see you some time :)
The freaking commitment you put into making these videos is nothing but admirable.
I mean it's 4.40 am, you spent the last 3 hours listening to a guy snore without sleeping a minute, it's freezing outside, and you get off the train just to show us the station and talk about the city you're in.
All of this by yourself.
Incredible respect for you!
Kudos for the language skill!! Super impressive! Cheers from a Russian living in USA, need to travel on BAM some day after seeing your vids :)
Does anybody else get anxious when he says things like, 'the train is stopping for five minutes,' and then goes off exploring? Just me?
Here I am!!😂💪
Not just you! Lol
I am more concerned that he gets off into -5C wearing a simple sweater while you can see locals in coats and scarfs. Bald is known to catch cold easily, yet he does such dumb things.
@@ferenctoth1801 Bald is going to be fine. He has a high wattage super computing brain that generates a lot of heat. You can see that from his shiny no covering head.
yep, when he was eating pelmens in Lena I started to feel anxiety
I got my dad into these videos and we get to bond over your adventures. I have so much appreciation for you and this channel!!
Hey, me, Tomichka here again. My grandad and grandma were involved in the construction of the bridges stretching along BAM's 3501 km. My grandad worked right at the railway bridge construction spots for decades and my grandma was an accountant in those construction projects for the same long time. By the time they almost got retired they settled in Tomsk.
I said to myself and friends that I would never go to Russia...but now it's all changed after watching this vdo. Very kind people all around. I'm planning my trip overland all the way from where I am...Thailand. Thank you.
Let me know if ever you'll be over to Thailand...
The day bald stops doing his travels will be a sad day indeed, one of the best people on youtube and I thank you for sharing this slice of the world with us all
John Xina
Your nowhere to be seen John!
@@ANALFISTINGVAN Could you elaborate?
@@ANALFISTINGVAN lol you soft grow up
@@MikeOxtinks Mike oxlong too ;)
My absolute favorite part of these videos are your conversations with the locals. Keep it up!
As a Russian-American living in the US, you inspired me to this trip in my life time, not only because of the vastness and beauty of Siberia, but also because of my roots since my babyushka was born in Khabarovsk ! As always be safe and love, love, love your adventures, especially the ones involving the vastness of Russia and its history.
давай, дружище!
love from TURKEY,BORDER BLACK SEA..
It drives you crazy to mind that it took entire century to build something that last tsars proposed, Bolsheviks tried but failed, and Putin is about to finish or pass to the next rulers.
Davaii davi! : )
You are a lucky one escaped from that shit hole to the western world.
This brought back so many memories! I travelled the BAM railway back in 2007 and had a very similar experience with a guy snoring so loudly I had zero sleep! Lol
Great seeing the landscape and towns along the way. It's a beautiful part of the world :)
On 9th minute when he came to the Lena station, the town is called Ust'-Kut. I was used to live in Yakutia in a village called Peleduy, and in order to get to the Ust'-Kut, I had to spend around 13 hours on a cruise boat "Polesye". So exciting to see familiar places in Bald's video
Уважаю твой гендер, боевой вертолёт. 👍
What an amazing journey that must have been. According to Yandex maps it looks like the river is still used to link the two towns.
Thank you Ben for visiting my hometown Severobaikalsk❤️ it was unexpected😁I subscribed to your blog to improve my knowledge of the English language and then you decided to show the city of my childhood! Amazing!👏🥰
Your english is perfectly fine, congratulations on that. So where do you live now? Still in Russia? I'm german by the way. Greetings. ✌😌🇩🇪
@@derjoghurtmitderecke Thank you! I live in Austria now 😉
I think this is the best trip you've done so far.
The more east you go, the more fascinating and unknown Russia gets.
I hope you will explore the areas around the northern coast in the future, maybe next summer? Can't wait to see more Siberia.
Totally agree with you. I was entirely enthralled the entire time.
agree! In love with this series of Siberia! :)
I would love to see videos on the North too. You hear about a handful of tourism in the far-East, but so rarely do people venture up into the Russian Arctic.
easily the best!
But hes overproducing the videoediting a bit.
Uelen is waiting for him.
19:00 this lady was an absolute treasure of culture and Russian beauty and wit
This channel gets better and better. The passion you have for Russia is heartwarming Ben
And the fascination we all share with his adventures through the former USSR is also pretty interesting.
Unfortunately it’s gonna end soon
@@dvr2838 Why is it?
Absolutely loving this Siberia series! Lake Baikal looks utterly breathtaking!
Sadly it's ending prematurely :(
Bald posted today on IG that he has to leave Russia because the government has implemented very strict Covid measures.
@@lencekk oh no! That's a shame!
Or "Baykal" as Bald insists on calling it
I like how the older people always remember the late 70s and early 80s as good times. That wasn't just in Russia. I think that time was unique around the world. This time period was also a good time in Canada and the USA. Its nice to see that people on the other side of the world enjoyed that time period as well.
That time in USSR is called "zastoy" (stagnation). Economic problems, aged government, lack of goods and so on. But country became more and more open to the world, old dogmas ruined completely, informal culture started to rise. And don`t forget about free education, medical treatment, apartments and paid vacation travels. That`s why for many people these were good times.
Every time period had its troubles, whether a good time period or bad. Not sure why people would call that time "zastoy" though, as the USSR built a LOT of infrastructure during that time. I would think our current time period would be more "zastoy" than the 70s and 80s were, lol, even here in North America, our government stinks of "zastoy" to the high heavens! ;) Ah well, hindsight is 20/20, no? We tend to think the current times we are living in were more difficult than the past, well, wait and see what's to come. "Zastoy" is increasing around the world!
Than you for that bit of insight into Russian culture, my friend.
Except if you were black, gay or other minority (in the USA)
@@dinis8271 Every time period had its troubles. I never said that time period was perfect. Some things get better, some things get worse. No matter the time period, though, you can always find those who hate, and try to spread that hate, even in our modern era. Will things get better for minority groups? I don't know. I hope so, but I have no say or control over those in power. I will say, though, things need to change and quick before its too late and the greedy destroy our planet.
@@dinis8271 Many of those groups reminisce on times in the 80s though
Well Ben I've always longed to travel in Russia. I only found your channel due to my interest in ekranoplans and I've been binge watching ever since. I read somewhere you are giving up blogging but I hope that's not true. I'm 60 now and I think next year I'll be breaking my Russian travel virginity. Thanks for all the great videos you've done... you're a real inspiration. Shalom brother.
Hey! Im Russian and its very interesting to watch. I once wanted to visit BAM myself, but havent had the opportunity yet. There are no bloggers on Russian UA-cam who have traveled through our country like you with such an interesting presentation of information. Thank you very much! Keep up the good work!
I have watched your videos from earlier days in India, shared excitement when you first crossed a 100000 subscribers, traced your path through East Europe and have been riding the Trans Siberian Railway with you.
This was excellent. Possibly one of the best features on your channel. Between your knowledge of language and history and the immense curiosity that drives you beyond your comfort zone, Russia for me comes beautifully alive with each piece of your documentation.
It never ceases to reassure me that, with obvious exceptions, people just have so much in common. Maybe there's hope for us all yet.
Of course there is hope! All People in the world want to enjoy their oh so short stay on this great planet of ours. If traveling has taught me anything, it's to go through life with open eyes and ears at all times. No matter the prospects no matter the funds. Stay curious and make stuff happen
Please keep that hopeful outlook alive! there is so much that makes us all the same human species on this beautiful planet and yet so many people are damned to hate others and live in their cesspools of hate and prejudice.
Agreed! Thanks guys and safe travels ✌🏻
Wow, what a joy! I'm sitting in my home office in New Jersey, but for a while I was traveling in Siberia! Great stuff Ben - best one yet!
I hear you. I'm sitting in my motorhome in the Arizona desert enjoying Russia and the refreshing snow capped mountains.
I'm a Russian from West Siberia who's been to New Jersey on a student exchange program. And now I'm back home, watching The Sopranos and reminiscing about those places. Crazy world, huh?
Same. These videos are an amazing window into the world.
The "cultured lady" is a blessing. What an interesting person to meet.
It's hard for people to understand the engineering aspect of things. I'm glad Bald can appreciate it. It truly is a stunning feat for humanity to be able to do such a thing; tunnel mountains, flatten hills, just to lay down steel and wood for some big motorized contraption to zip through there.
Its not just the engineering, the distance is what puts this off
The lady explaining the map and infrastructure built was amazing....it blows your mind the scale of it all...
Enough money and slaves yeah you can be a god on this rotting planet.
@@blackpearl3628 The Russiasn had been known to use prisoners for building theirs. One persons slave is another person prisoner.
incredible feat
I enjoyed every minute of this video. Bald does more to improve international relations than any politician. Wonderful.
The BAM is likely a Engineering feat that's never been taught about, nor spoken about. Shame really. Thanks for bring it to light! Very interesting video!
I've said before - but my only complaint is that your babushka interviews are too short! They're so interesting and will serve as recorded history of those past days. Imagine in 20 or 30 years if their families find these videos - how much they'd love them.
Ben's knowledge of Russian language is amazing! I am lucky I was born speaking it all my life and could only imagine how difficult it might have been for him to study it. Now living in Canada for many years and speaking English fluently I can appreciate very much when Ben speaks Russian in a soft voice. Anyone would agree how carefully and warm he speaks in Russian and knowing both languages I do not even notice the difference when he switches back and forth from English to Russian and vice versa 👏😄
Many people on Australia leaving Australia now. One family left Australia and moved to Russia. The interview with this man was recorded in UA-cam channel Aussie Cossack. It's is very interesting.
@@loveheals3289 The fun part I am not even from Russia nor ever lived there but visited it several times. I was born in Kazakhstan and lived there all my life before moving to Canada.
@@ekenzin Женя, вернись ты на Родину. Зачем тебе эта чужбина ?
He is an authority, an institution when Russian-speaking Englishman is concerned.
@@loveheals3289 ага, кремлеботина, что ещё придумаешь?
Bald is a better history teacher through his vlogs than any that I had
I was a kid until almost 15 years of age, in the old Soviet Lithuania, and even belonged to a Locomotive club that had everything to do with railroads and trains! I live vicariously thru you right now! Miss the train travel, and would love to go and do a long journey on the old Soviet railroad! Very unique! Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦!
What a great series these last few videos are. As a Russian who never was in these parts of the country I feel proud of Benjamin who is doing this pilgrimage for all of us Russian lads and gals who prefer to live in the comfort of Moscow, St. Petersburg or elsewhere abroad. Bloody well done, mate
I love the moment after Bald has conversations with the locals in perfect Russian, then walks away speaking a quintessential British accent to his camera... the sheer look of surprise on their faces is always gold
His Russian is not perfect at all. He ignores grammar so his dialogs sound silly.
@@noizekiller Really? I thought he was at least proficient if not fluent. So does he speaks like a kid who’s learning to speak or just doesn’t use any grammar at all?
His Russian is not bad at all, a little too much of street vocabulary to my taste, but it works for him. Even the very cultural lady in the winter garden did not have perfect grammar 🤓
@@komichan4409 he speaks with the short sentences due to the lack of grammar. It serves the purpose, but far from proficiency. And his accent is very cute.
His Russian is enough to get by and have a simple conversation but any Russian would know that he is not from there by his accent and use of words. It’s getting a lot better though
The moment you reached the lake was really special for me. I've dreamt about getting there since I was a kid. I will definitely go and film some stuff there, too, one day! Absolutely amazing video, mate!
Thanks, Ben.. this is absolutely fascinating. I love the direction you are taking this channel... your love of this culture is evident and you are showing a side of the Russian culture that the world never gets to see, and in a manner that is so approachable. You seriously deserve some kind of journalism award my friend.
Perfect timing just cracked my first beer
👊🏻😁🍻🍻
Jezus 😂😂 just woke up.
@@LONNiETOWN so?
Chase it down with a vodka shot 🍻
Give the pugs a good pet on me 😁
Same here in Australia! :-D
I love baldys videos, no advertisements, no heavy editing, or selling something, just a real vlog of one's jouney. It like we are exploring with him its awesome. Siberia is fascinating to see.
👍❤️
i like how the Russian guy on the train, turns off his TV, when media says bad things about Ukraine and the West.
I do the same.
I am so tired of this "balls-size-competition" between West and East.
So I do the same, when the West portraits the East like villains!
Turn off the TV..
Thank you Bald for a great cultural experience.
It's been a while since we've seen a "wall of hotties." It's good to know some traditions never die.
lets do some swiping
Pretty respectable group for a town of 33,000 in the middle of Siberia.