Monday 7 September

I wake up about 8:20 having slept well. Once up and dressed we get our food out and ready for breakfast. It required the use of the boiling water to cook it. Just after filling it the train stopped for one of it's longer stops. It had been described that there would be kiosks at which food could be purchased. But everyone was back sooner than I anticipated. I guess it wasn't as good as imagined. After food we sat around chatting. We asked the train attendant to open the window for better air flow. We had opened it last night, but it was locked overnight. Over the morning others came and sat with us and chatted and we played rounds of uno. At the long stops we tried to get off get fresh air and walk further. I brought cranberries from a lady selling them at the door when we got back in. The weather is grey and showery. In the afternoon we have a short nap. It's nice to get to know the new tour companions. Early evening we go to the dining carriage, 2 carriages away for a group quiz one of the members had put together. Walking through the smelly stuffy carriage made me so happy we asked for the window be opened. We also learned from others who had ventured down to further carriages of the conditions there. We really are the 1st class on a 2nd class train. Apparently the ppl are packed in further on with much less privacy. Suddenly our cramped conditions se marvellous. You really have to purchase stuff to sit in the dining carriage so I purchase a drink as do many others. We are split into 3 groups. Our group actually wins, but not by my contribution! After it's over there is a long stop and we head off the train to enjoy twilight and fresh air. The dining car is well controlled, but there is nothing like outside. Back on the train we chat and then mal and I go to have dinner of noodles and bread. Then preparing for bed. I have started a new book on habits and am learning so much about myself (and others). Over the next 3 days we change 5hours. Need to pretend to adjust so no train jet lag.