Blogs from Belarus, Europe - page 2

Saturday April 13 – This vacation will be similar to others in some ways – new country, new adventures, no idea which shoes to pack – but it will also be something new, as I’m going to attend a 10 day silent Vipassana meditation course which begins on Tuesday evening. This will be new for me in many ways. Today, however, I did my normal thing. Went to bed last night more stressed than I wanted, got me and Jeroen up at 4am so he could take me to the airport for my 6:45am flight. We left 20 minutes later than I’d intended, but somehow we were there nearly when I’d planned, and it didn’t take all that long to get through security though I do still have a knack for picking the slowest lines, whether ... read more

We are having a break this rainy Monday, which is appreciated since so many on this tour are sick. The coughing and sneezing and various aches and pains spread quickly through the bus, especially since many do not cover their coughs and sneezes, even though all of us are adults. Our immune systems are getting a strong workout anyway, going from sunshine and 80s/28 (Fahrenheit/Celsius) in Moscow (such a gift this time of year!) to chilly rain and 40s/8 (F/C) in the space of one day. Add in three new countries so far, plus sick people on our bus, and everyone's immunity is quite challenged. I've spent this down time packing, trying to catch up on insidiously, continuously accumulating emails, taking Echinacea root tincture prophylactically, and giving my raincoat and boots a chance to dry out, ... read more

Day 14: The dawn of the new (and our last) day was heralded by our faithful dog. Does he not realise that most normal animals don’t get up at this hour. I swear that I am going to learn taxidermy before we next come. Bastard thing. Even the cockerel can be heard shouting profanities in its direction. Oh well best make the most of the last day. Yuliya makes coffee and I get up out of bed. I feel really tired but ready for the day ahead. Yuliya changes and departs for her last run of the holiday with both Dasha’s. I get dressed and pack my bags ready for my morning walk. I am determined to get a 15km walk in in my last morning. I set out past the brickworks, over the railway tracks ... read more

Day 10: What on earth have I done to myself? I wake up at 9am the room still spinning in a rollercoaster of nausea. I repeat the phrase that has been my first thought every morning of this holiday. “I am never drinking again!” I don’t need to today to be honest as I stagger to the toilet I realise that I still have a skin full from last night. I return to bed and lay next to Yuliya wondering how I am going to manage for the next 24 hours before our return to the farm. Tonight we are staying at Sergey’s flat. I tell Yuliya to text Natasha and say I will not be drinking tonight. She says it is up to me when I get there. Anya knocks and barges in. I grab ... read more

Day 8: I feel dreadful my head hurts, my body aches, my mouth is dry. I feel that I probably don’t need a drink until Minsk tomorrow. My mouth tastes a bit flyey for some reason. Yuliya wakes and makes us a coffee. She has promised both Dasha’s a run this morning. I make a barocca and have a paracetamol or two. God I’m thirsty. I lay back on the bed and finish yesterday’s Blog and post it. Yuliya gets herself dressed and wakes up young Dasha. Once dressed they both set out on their run. This morning I am not jealous. I just want to go back to bed but I have promised myself a long walk. I get dressed and after filling up a water bottle head outside and wait for Yuliya to return. ... read more