The All Night Train Ride-A Lesson in Flexibility

Posted on by

Kazakhstan

I get a kick out of watching movies that have a scene on the train. The camera shot always makes it look like there is plenty of comfortable room. Whether it is in a sleeper car, or suite, or even in the coach seats no one seems to be too cramped. The scenes shot in the suites are of particular interest to me. You know the ones where a bad guy sneaks in and starts beating up the good guy. They knock each other about a bit, kicking and punching each other across the expanse of the cabin. Suddenly to everyones relief the good guy prevails, and the bad guy is either sprawled out on the floor, or is chucked out the window. I watch those scenes and wonder just what kind of trains these guys are on that seems so amply sized. I guess I unfairly compare these Hollywood trains to the reality of trains in the real world. Or at least to the train I  journeyed on in Kazakhstan.

I am actually thankful for that train. We were able to travel the ten hour route, from Almaty in the southeast part of Kazakhstan to Qaraghandy (Karaganda) in the north central part of the country on a train known as the “Spanish” train, in more comfort than we would have had if we traveled by automobile. It is just that when we were told that we would be making the journey in a sleeper suite I envisioned the opulence I had seen in the movies. One of the very most important axioms of mission traveling is Be flexible! Meaning, you should never count on anything being exactly as you planned it. So flexibility in plans, goals, expectations, and attitudes is very important in order to get the most out of your experience. In the case of the Spanish train we also had to be very physically flexible as well.

Let me just describe our experience, and our endeavor to be flexible. Along with all of our portable dental equipment Karen and I were able to take one suit case apiece to Kazakhstan. We used our extra allowed luggage to transport our supplies and equipment. We traveled with Dwayne and DeAnne, and Mark to Kazakhstan, and then teamed up with Dr. Igor, Luba, and Timor. We were told that we could only take one suitcase per couple for our train in addition to our equipment and supplies. This was not a problem only I thought it was odd since, according to my expectation, we were to have all this extra room.

When we arrived at the train station it was clear to see that this mode of transportation was very popular. We had our tickets and pushed our way out onto the crowded station platform. Mark who had taken this train before continued to push through the crowd, which was difficult with all of our luggage and equipment in tow. Now even though my equipment is portable it still has quite a bit of weight to it, most especially the air compressor we were using. We obtained this compressor in Kazakhstan, which was far more bulky than the portable dental compressor I had brought with me from the U.S.A., but mine didn’t work in a reliable fashion the whole time we were in Kazakhstan due to electrical problems.

The train sped into the station far faster than I thought that it should, and finally screeched, and grinded to a halt. The train was very long, and our car was way up toward the front. Mark picked up the pace which meant we were running, and pushing through the crowd of travelers who seemed to be content to simply stand in the way. It wasn’t until the train came to a complete stop that everyone else began a frantic scramble to their respective cars. Mark yelled over his shoulder that we had to hurry, and finally we came to the door of our car and hurriedly handed the neatly uniformed, military-esque, uniformed porter our tickets and passports. Mark gave a big sigh of relief, smiled and said, “We only have five minutes.” I didn’t understand what he meant by that until we had squished our way into the narrow corridor of the car, and the doors snapped shut behind us as the train began pulling away from the station. We were packed into that corridor with our luggage and equipment like sardines having barely enough leeway to tug our belongings to our cabin.

Mark, Dr. Igor, Timor, and Luba crammed into one cabin, and Dwayne, DeAnne, Karen and I crammed into the other. The cabins had two bench seats that faced each other, and a stainless steel sink mounted to the outside wall between the two. The sink was really no bigger than a normal sized laptop computer, which is as it should be considering that the space between the benches was smaller than the size of my size eleven shoe. It was in this space between the two benches that we put our two suitcases, and our share of the equipment. Dwayne and I literally sat across from each other with our knees interlocked just so Karen and DeAnne would be able to sit. I looked around the confines of the apartment and wondered if it would even be possible to get one more thing in here. It was already after eleven at night so we decided to ask the porter to unlock the top bunks and prepare the room for sleep. The benches converted to bunks as well, so with Dwayne and I on the top bunks and Karen and DeAnne on the bottom bunks we were able to stretch out and converse a little more comfortably.

The trip was to take ten hours, which would put us in Karaganda early the next morning. I would like to be able to say how much we enjoyed the beautiful landscape of central Kazakhstan, but the best we could manage was our own reflections against the dark glass. It was early November, but already there was the promise of snow at our destination, which was only about three hundred miles south of Siberia. The farther north we traveled the colder it got within our cabin. We slept with our clothes on for three reasons. 1) It was cold. 2) It was coed. 3) We were to only have five minutes to plunge out of the train the next morning—we didn’t want to take the chance of oversleeping. As it turned out I had little chance of oversleeping as I slept fitfully at best. The rocking of the train from side to side on the tracks meant that we were rocking head to toe, and I never quite got used to that on the trip north. On previous posts I have described the lengthy days we had working in the orphanage, so during the ten hour night trip back to Almaty a few nights later I slept like the dead. I really remember nothing of the train ride back.

As I said earlier we were thankful for the Spanish train. It was the nicer of the two used by the railroad. Just after the light of grey dawn broke  on the morning we returned to Almaty we passed the other train that was in use heading north. There were no sleepers on that train, only benches, and boxcars. If you didn’t get a bench, you stood up the whole trip. It was an austere relic of the old Communist days. Hmm…I think I’ve seen movies with train scenes like that as well. May God Bless you until next time!

415 thoughts on “The All Night Train Ride-A Lesson in Flexibility”

  3. Hi! Would you mind if I share your blog with my myspace group? There’s a lot of folks that I think would really appreciate your content. Please let me know. Cheers

  6. It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d without a doubt donate to this superb blog! I guess for now i’ll settle for bookmarking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to fresh updates and will share this website with my Facebook group. Chat soon!

  9. I was very pleased to find this web-site.I wanted to thanks for your time for this wonderful read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you blog post.

  10. Wow, wonderful blog structure! How lengthy have you been running a blog for? you make running a blog glance easy. The whole glance of your web site is great, let alone the content material!

  11. Does your site have a contact page? I’m having problems locating it but, I’d like to send you an e-mail. I’ve got some recommendations for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great website and I look forward to seeing it expand over time.

  12. Hey there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my myspace group? There’s a lot of people that I think would really appreciate your content. Please let me know. Thanks

  13. I’m not that much of a online reader to be honest but your blogs really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your site to come back later. Many thanks

  14. My spouse and I stumbled over here different website and thought I might as well check things out. I like what I see so i am just following you. Look forward to going over your web page repeatedly.

  15. I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you make this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz respond as I’m looking to design my own blog and would like to know where u got this from. kudos

  16. This is very interesting, You are an overly professional blogger. I have joined your feed and stay up for in quest of extra of your fantastic post. Additionally, I have shared your web site in my social networks

  18. Right now it appears like WordPress is the best blogging platform out there right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you’re using on your blog?

  20. Your up to date posts repetitively have a great deal of truly awake to date information. Anywhere perform you extend awake with this? Emphatically declaring you are fantastically innovative. Thanks again

  21. Good day! I know this is kinda off topic but I’d figured I’d ask. Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe guest writing a blog article or vice-versa? My site goes over a lot of the same subjects as yours and I feel we could greatly benefit from each other. If you’re interested feel free to shoot me an e-mail. I look forward to hearing from you! Awesome blog by the way!

  22. I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your website. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a developer to create your theme? Outstanding work!

  25. Terrific paintings! That is the kind of info that are supposed to be shared around the web. Disgrace on Google for now not positioning this publish upper! Come on over and talk over with my site . Thank you =)

  27. Hi! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new iphone! Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward to all your posts! Keep up the superb work!

  33. Hello! Someone in my Myspace group shared this website with us so I came to check it out. I’m definitely loving the information. I’m book-marking and will be tweeting this to my followers! Great blog and excellent design and style.

  34. I am usually to blogging and i really admire your content. The article has actually peaks my interest. I’m going to bookmark your web site and keep checking for new information.

  36. Thanks for one’s marvelous posting! I certainly enjoyed reading it, you can be a great author.I will make certain to bookmark your blog and will eventually come back at some point. I want to encourage one to continue your great writing, have a nice morning!

  37. Wonderful goods from you, man. I’ve take note your stuff previous to and you are just too wonderful. I actually like what you have bought here, really like what you are saying and the way in which wherein you are saying it. You make it entertaining and you still take care of to keep it wise. I cant wait to learn far more from you. That is actually a wonderful site.

  38. A person essentially assist to make severely posts I would state. This is the very first time I frequented your website page and so far? I surprised with the analysis you made to make this actual submit incredible. Wonderful task!

  43. Hey! I’m at work browsing your blog from my new iphone 4! Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts! Carry on the excellent work!

  57. Hi! Someone in my Facebook group shared this site with us so I came to give it a look. I’m definitely loving the information. I’m bookmarking and will be tweeting this to my followers! Excellent blog and great style and design.

  61. Sweet blog! I found it while browsing on Yahoo News. Do you have any suggestions on how to get listed in Yahoo News? I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there! Thanks

  75. You’re so interesting! I do not think I’ve read through a single thing like this before. So nice to find another person with a few genuine thoughts on this topic. Really.. thanks for starting this up. This site is something that is needed on the web, someone with a bit of originality!

  86. Have you ever thought about adding a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is valuable and everything. However think of if you added some great visuals or videos to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with pics and video clips, this site could undeniably be one of the greatest in its field. Excellent blog!

  89. Woah! I’m really loving the template/theme of this site. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s hard to get that “perfect balance” between user friendliness and visual appeal. I must say you’ve done a awesome job with this. Additionally, the blog loads very quick for me on Chrome. Exceptional Blog!

  96. Hi there! I’m at work browsing your blog from my new apple iphone! Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts! Keep up the great work!

  97. Can I simply say what a relief to search out someone who really knows what theyre speaking about on the internet. You definitely know how one can convey a problem to light and make it important. More folks must learn this and understand this side of the story. I cant imagine youre no more common because you definitely have the gift.

  98. Awesome blog! Do you have any tips and hints for aspiring writers? I’m planning to start my own site soon but I’m a little lost on everything. Would you advise starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many choices out there that I’m completely confused .. Any recommendations? Thank you!

  99. Spot on with this write-up, I seriously feel this amazing site needs a great deal more attention. I’ll probably be returning to read more, thanks for the info!

  100. I really appreciate this post. I’ve been looking all over for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You have made my day! Thx again!

  104. You completed various good points there. I did a search on the subject and found a good number of people will go along with with your blog.

  108. I needed to thank you for this wonderful read!! I certainly enjoyed every little bit of it. I’ve got you book-marked to look at new stuff you post…

  113. We’re a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your website provided us with valuable info to work on. You’ve done a formidable job and our whole community will be grateful to you.

  119. As I web site possessor I believe the content matter here is rattling magnificent , appreciate it for your efforts. You should keep it up forever! Best of luck.

  124. Do you mind if I quote a few of your posts as long as I provide credit and sources back to your site? My blog site is in the very same area of interest as yours and my users would truly benefit from a lot of the information you present here. Please let me know if this ok with you. Many thanks!

  130. This blog has the look of the design is very attractive and simple, and I was impressed with some of the articles that I have seen, its content is very good, real and unique, interesting sanat. next time I will definitely visit this blog again. I wait for his new article

  135. whoah this weblog is fantastic i like studying your articles. Stay up the good work! You recognize, a lot of persons are looking around for this information, you could help them greatly.

  138. I love what you guys tend to be up too. This kind of clever work and exposure! Keep up the terrific works guys I’ve added you guys to my own blogroll.

  144. I blog quite often and I truly thank you for your content. Your article has truly peaked my interest. I will bookmark your blog and keep checking for new details about once per week. I subscribed to your RSS feed as well.

  146. I’m really impressed with your writing skills as well as with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself? Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it is rare to see a great blog like this one today..

  151. Sweet blog! I found it while surfing around on Yahoo News. Do you have any tips on how to get listed in Yahoo News? I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there! Thank you

  160. I am really inspired together with your writing talents and also with the layout for your blog. Is that this a paid topic or did you customize it your self? Either way stay up the nice quality writing, it’s uncommon to see a great blog like this one today.

  166. Hi there, I discovered your website by means of Google at the same time as looking for a comparable topic, your site came up, it seems to be great. I’ve bookmarked to my favourites|added to bookmarks.

  167. What a wonderful piece you have published. I just stopped by to tell you I truly enjoyed your blog and shall be dropping by from time to time from now on.

  169. It’s really a nice and helpful piece of information. I’m satisfied that you simply shared this useful info with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.

  194. That is really attention-grabbing, You’re a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your rss feed and sit up for looking for more of your magnificent post. Additionally, I’ve shared your website in my social networks|

  206. Hello there, You have performed an excellent job. I will definitely digg it and individually recommend to my friends. I’m confident they’ll be benefited from this website.

  214. I really like spending time reading your blog. I am in the process of moving into a new residence and waiting for the movers to get here. I thought I would fire up my IPad and surf the web. Your blog is book-marked on this laptop so I started reading here first. Nice site and extremely interesting.

  242. Normally I don’t read article on blogs, however I would like to say that this write-up very compelled me to try and do so! Your writing style has been surprised me. Thank you, very great post.

  273. Pretty great publish. I just stumbled upon your blog site and desired to say that I have really enjoyed reading your weblog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing for your feed and I hope you publish again soon.

  281. I thought it was going to be some boring old publish, but it really compensated for my time. I will publish a link to this page on my blog. I am confident my visitors will locate that very useful

  285. That is a smart blog site. I mean it. You might have a lot information about this problem, and a lot passion. You also know how to make individuals rally behind it, certainly from your responses. Youve obtained a layout right here thats not as well flashy, but makes a statement as massive as what youre stating. Fantastic career, in fact.

  286. Hello, I observed your weblog in a new directory of blogs. I don’t understand how your weblog came up, must have been a typo, Your weblog looks great. Have a wonderful day

  287. Pretty excellent post. I just stumbled upon your blog site and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog page posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing for your feed and I hope you publish again soon.

  293. I’ve read some excellent stuff here. Definitely worth bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how so much effort you set to make such a magnificent informative web site.

  300. This can be a smart blog site. I mean it. You might have so much knowledge about this concern, and so much passion. You also understand how to generate individuals rally behind it, obviously from the responses. Youve got a layout here thats not as well flashy, but can make a statement as big as what youre declaring. Fantastic career, in fact.

  305. That is my 1st time i check out right here. I discovered a lot of entertaining things with your blog site, specifically its discussion. From the tons of comments on your articles, I guess I’m not the just one obtaining every one of the enjoyment here! Hold up the good function.

  306. This is a wise blog site. I indicate it. You’ve got so much expertise about this problem, and a lot passion. You also know how to make individuals rally behind it, clearly from the responses. Youve obtained a style right here thats not as well flashy, but helps make a statement as massive as what youre declaring. Great career, in fact.

  307. I was very encouraged to find this internet site. I wanted to thank you for this distinctive examine. I certainly savored every little bit of it and I’ve you bookmarked to check out new things you publish.

  310. What youre saying is completely accurate. I realize that everyone must say the identical factor, but I just feel that you put it in a way that everyone can realize. I also enjoy the photos you place in right here. They fit so properly with what youre attempting to say. Im confident youll reach a great number of people with what youve acquired to say.

  313. I was quite encouraged to locate this site. I desired to thank you for this distinctive study. I absolutely savored every single tiny little bit of it and I’ve you bookmarked to look at new things you post.

  317. I admire the useful info you offer within your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and also have my young children verify up here usually. I am really positive they’ll find out tons of new things right here than anybody else!

  319. I was very encouraged to locate this web site. I desired to thank you for this particular examine. I definitely savored every small bit of it and I’ve you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post.

  321. I admire the useful info you provide with your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and have my kids check up here typically. I am very certain they are going to find out a lot of new things here than anybody else!

  340. I visited a lot of website but I think this one holds something special in it. “Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.” by Albert Einstein.

  342. This write-up gives the light in which we can observe the reality. this is extremely great one and gives indepth information. thanks for this good write-up

  343. I like the helpful info you provide in your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and check again here frequently. I’m quite sure I will learn a lot of new stuff right here! Best of luck for the next!

  344. whoah this blog is magnificent i love reading your posts. Keep up the great work! You know, lots of people are searching around for this info, you can aid them greatly.

  345. I like the helpful info you provide in your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and check again here frequently. I’m quite sure I will learn a lot of new stuff right here! Best of luck for the next!

  346. I like what you guys are up also. Such intelligent work and reporting! Carry on the excellent works guys I have incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it’ll improve the value of my website 🙂

  350. I like the helpful info you provide in your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and check again here frequently. I’m quite sure I will learn a lot of new stuff right here! Best of luck for the next!

  351. I like the helpful info you provide in your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and check again here frequently. I’m quite sure I will learn a lot of new stuff right here! Best of luck for the next!

  357. I like the helpful info you provide in your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and check again here frequently. I’m quite sure I will learn a lot of new stuff right here! Best of luck for the next!

  366. Finally, an issue that I am passionate about. I have looked for information of this caliber for the last several hours. Your site is greatly appreciated.

  368. Can I just say what a relief to acquire a person who essentially knows what theyre talking about on the internet. You unquestionably know methods to bring an issue to light and make it imperative. Even more many people must read this and recognize this side of the story. I cant believe youre not even more preferred due to the fact you absolutely have the gift.

  388. Hello there! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be ok. I’m undoubtedly enjoying your blog and look forward to new posts.

  390. I was highly pleased to acquire this web-site.I wanted to thanks for your time for this amazing read!! I surely enjoying each and every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to take a look at new stuff you blog post.

  392. Can I just say what a relief to acquire a person who essentially knows what theyre talking about on the internet. You unquestionably know methods to bring an issue to light and make it imperative. Even more many people must read this and recognize this side of the story. I cant believe youre not even more preferred due to the fact you absolutely have the gift.

  393. I really appreciate this post. I have been looking all over for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You have made my day! Thank you again!

  395. I was highly pleased to acquire this web-site.I wanted to thanks for your time for this amazing read!! I surely enjoying each and every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to take a look at new stuff you blog post.

  396. I am so thrilled I found your site. I really found you by accident, while I was browsing on Bing for something else. Anyways I am here now and would just like to say thank you for a tremendous post and an all round enjoyable blog. (I also enjoy the theme/design), I don’t have time to read through it all at the moment, but I have added your website to my favorites, so when I have time I will be back to read more. Please do keep up the awesome job!

  399. I was very pleased to find this web-site.I wanted to thanks for your time for this wonderful read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you blog post.

  400. Can I just say what a relief to find someone who actually knows what theyre talking about on the internet. You definitely know how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people need to read this and understand this side of the story. I cant believe youre not more popular because you definitely have the gift.

  402. I was very pleased to find this web-site.I wanted to thanks for your time for this wonderful read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you blog post.

  404. It’s actually a cool and helpful piece of information. I’m satisfied that you shared this helpful
    info with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.

  407. you’re actually a good webmaster. The site loading pace is incredible. It seems that you’re doing any distinctive trick. Also, The contents are masterpiece. you’ve done a great activity in this matter!

Leave a Reply