Ivangorod Bus Station. Small town on a Sunday afternoon. We just arrived in Russia, crossing the border on foot. Waiting for the bus to St Petersburg, and I need the toilet. I’m prepared for a horrible stinky bus station toilet…
Next to the door, a middle aged blonde lady with a cat, collecting the 12 Rubles. Inside, walls painted lilac, green plants hanging high on the wall, cleaning items behind a flower curtain, a framed black-and-white photo of a giraffe on the wall.
I stand in the queue.
The toilet is of the “hole-in-the-ground” type (never forget to empty your trouser pockets or you will lose everything into the hole…) but clean, with toilet paper, a sink and soap.
Sometimes, there are nice surprises!