THE DIESEL TRAIN SOUTH FROM BREST TO VLADAVAAt dawn the light played in the sky, then it became brighter and finally the sun came up in glory. I fed the animals and cleaned them out, and then ran off to catch the train: I wanted to meet Ulia. Right at that moment she must have been somewhere near Baranavichy — she was on the train from Mensk. However, the train I travelled on was different, and better. Or rather, it used to be better.
Ever since Dobratyche had become surrounded with dachas and a halt built for the folk who bought or rented them, I have tried to avoid travelling on the diesel. Even for someone as thick-skinned as me, I find it really difficult to accept what the train has become. You can hear people on the station asking for a ticket “to Dobratichi” at the booking office;
