@gostepbysteppe: When you travel, you begin to see the world differently and appreciate what you have at home. In my experience, Kazakhstan offers one of the best rail systems in the world when it comes to the balance between price, distance, and quality. I was surprised to find that train travel in Russia is much more expensive than in Kazakhstan. In the United States, passenger rail is relatively limited and can be expensive, with many people relying on cars or planes instead. China has an extensive railway network, but I was surprised by how many standing tickets are sold on some routes, making trains extremely crowded. Every country has its own way of doing things, and traveling gives you a new perspective on all of them.