Overnight Trains

My trip to Petersburg began with a 12 hour train ride. We left at 10:40pm. This was the first time I had ever been on an overnight train before. It was also the first time I had ever been in a “Harry Potter” car. I don’t know the English word, but you know those enclosed rooms on the train we have all seen in the Harry Potter movies. It has 4 beds and a little table (a bit crapped too). I was in a car with one of my friends and two Russians, who barely spoke to each other. But the whole group was in the same train car, so I can’t say I spent too much time in my room.

It was pretty fun, plus it was the first time I was able to play Euchre in way too many months. Two of my friends actually know how to play, so we grabbed a fourth and jumped right in. I should mention that I was pair with the newbie and we managed to win 2 out of 3, she was a fast learner. We must have played for about 2 hours (Although I should ask, is it a general rule that you never lead with trump? Do most people play the way and I just never noticed? Well whatever). Actually, while I am on the subject of Euchre I find it interesting that the friends I have taught to play are now teaching others to play and so on and so on. It really seems to be spreading through my group of friends back home. I glad everyone likes it so much, and I think I should give credit to my teachers. To Busha and Grandpa and basically my Mom’s whole side of the family for letting me play when I come up and for teaching me the tricks of the trade.

Anyways, the train was not the best place to sleep for me, I must have woken up every time we stopped (at least 5 times), but my pillow was very comfortable. I was pretty neat to wake up in St. Pete’s, but word of advice if you every do an overnight train, slippers work much better in the bathroom than socks.