Riding the Train in Kazakhstan - June 7

June 7, 2011

On the train.

Good thing I have a computer because I would not be able to write legibly as we rock and sway our way across the southern edge of Kazakhstan between the cities of Almaty and Shymkent.

We board our train and each of us find our compartments. Compartments are for two and contain two bunks (soft) and an 18 by 24 shelf upon which I am typing. We slip my suitcase under the lower bunk, hang our grocery bags from hooks, lift smaller back packs to a high rack and we settle in. Sanna has found we have Internet, so I send a quick note home to the kids.

The train is similar to the trains that took us from Hong Kong to Beijing in 1985. It is not as wide as there is no place to sit in the aisle and look out. The outside is baby blue. AC has not been invented and there are only occasional opening windows in the aisle. The air does not circulate thought our compartment. We have been provided lots of quilts. Could it possible get cold at night? One could hope.

I remember now that I love riding the train. For the moment I am happy with my own company. Everyone is sleeping including Vern. It is 6 in the evening. The heat I think has everyone without energy. Plus many traveled all night or arrived at 1 AM. As is often my habit, I fell asleep while the train was still in the station in Almaty and slept a couple hours. Feel refreshed now.

Slowing. There are buildings – pink. Sheep along the tracks have the longer necks and floppy ears. I could be any where. Mexico? Browning? Hot, poor. Lots of cement here and corrugated tin. Nice green trees here in town. Women along the track with baby carriages transformed into catering service for us travelers. I see nice drinks. I want. We have only water left.  Dogs sleeping along the station. Station is small brick. I jump off like others and buy a nearly totally frozen drink. It is peach lemonade and the cold feels so good this hot train ride.

At last a few interesting things dot the forsaken surroundings. A herd of sheep, always multicolored can be seen along with the shepherd on horse back. But where is the ranch house? And what are those interesting looking small structures with iron fences around them? A type of cemetery perhaps?

1 AM The question has been answered. No it doesn’t cool off, at least not much. Insomnia is the same anywhere unless I take a moment and think of a map and see my little train progressing across a southern path in Kazakhstan. A contented smile crosses my weary face.

Kazakhstan is a country of which I had little knowledge until recently. Even now I know so little and have so many questions. Others share what they have been learning in preparation for our trip. The book Apple is for Kazakhstan is being passed around in our group. I think Vernon might read it next. Soviet destruction of farming lands and random atom bomb testings are two of the interesting facts.

2 AM It is raining. Oh to sleep as I must rise in a few hours and start life as a teacher. More fears that I won’t do well. More fears of the heat. But it IS raining. Be still my soul and walk with your hands in His.