12th February 2022 at 03.43
Marina and Vadim picked me up at 02.30 am in the morning and as well as taking me to the station, Vadim showed me some paintings in the station telling the history of Yekaterinburg that people do not often see, it was a great end to my time in the city and in their company. Marina also gave me some supplies for the train trip which were really appreciated and them Vadim took me to the carriage and made certain that all was ok and that I was settled down ready for the next stage of the journey. I felt at home in the train, knowing the procedures and spaces as well as where the toilet was (very important). I was now going on the 62 train and the cabin was slightly different to the 002 train, a little older but still perfectly clean.
So, a couple of days ahead of me until Irkutsk and a lot more bumps along the way but this time the ticket came with one meal a day, so I could stop drinking 3-4 cups of soup per day interspersed with tea. Either fish or meat, no real choice which also came with a salad and some fruit for afterwards and various free juices as well. heaven….Time passed and scenery changed and sunrises and sunsets were wonderful. I was lucky with the weather no blizzards to spoil the views. It was getting colder and more extreme but I was safe in the cabin in 28°C and now being fed at least one meal a day supplemented by my packet soups. I became addicted to Telma pea soup in particular …
Marina and Vadim picked me up at 02.30 am in the morning and as well as taking me to the station, Vadim showed me some paintings in the station telling the history of Yekaterinburg that people do not often see, it was a great end to my time in the city and in their company. Marina also gave me some supplies for the train trip which were really appreciated and them Vadim took me to the carriage and made certain that all was ok and that I was settled down ready for the next stage of the journey. I felt at home in the train, knowing the procedures and spaces as well as where the toilet was (very important). I was now going on the 62 train and the cabin was slightly different to the 002 train, a little older but still perfectly clean.
So, a couple of days ahead of me until Irkutsk and a lot more bumps along the way but this time the ticket came with one meal a day, so I could stop drinking 3-4 cups of soup per day interspersed with tea. Either fish or meat, no real choice which also came with a salad and some fruit for afterwards and various free juices as well. heaven….Time passed and scenery changed and sunrises and sunsets were wonderful. I was lucky with the weather no blizzards to spoil the views. It was getting colder and more extreme but I was safe in the cabin in 28°C and now being fed at least one meal a day supplemented by my packet soups. I became addicted to Telma pea soup in particular …
I was in a routine now and became quite institutionalised in some senses. I found my mind drifting during the day and at night my dreams became more vivid and appeared to me to be very real.
Strangely, as I was drifting in and out of sleep on this stage of the journey , my father and very close friends came to me and we had conversations and I felt close to them and very comforted. It was a surreal experience but very comfortable. We spoke about many things and it was as if they were listening and advising at the same time.
I felt very reassured and rested after these visits which happened during this particular stage of the journey. I am not certain what caused them to occur (I had not been drinking or even eating to excess) but I remember most of the chats quite clearly now.
I even felt they were sitting on the bed next to me, just talking and listening.
Was I hallucinating or was this my isolation bringing needs and emotions to the fore?
I really do not know but I am certain they left me comforted and rested as well. Worries seemed to drifted away. It was another experience that I had never expected and anticipated on this trip.
Has this happened since my return? No.
Strangely, as I was drifting in and out of sleep on this stage of the journey , my father and very close friends came to me and we had conversations and I felt close to them and very comforted. It was a surreal experience but very comfortable. We spoke about many things and it was as if they were listening and advising at the same time.
I felt very reassured and rested after these visits which happened during this particular stage of the journey. I am not certain what caused them to occur (I had not been drinking or even eating to excess) but I remember most of the chats quite clearly now.
I even felt they were sitting on the bed next to me, just talking and listening.
Was I hallucinating or was this my isolation bringing needs and emotions to the fore?
I really do not know but I am certain they left me comforted and rested as well. Worries seemed to drifted away. It was another experience that I had never expected and anticipated on this trip.
Has this happened since my return? No.
