On the morning of 21st August, I lay awake in my top bunk, as the train rattled across the western extremities of the USSR (formerly Belarus) towards the border with Poland. Try as I might, …
Continue reading144. To Poland
Category: USSR (Europe)
143. Troops, Tanks and TV Cameras…
I wandered away from the huge crowd that was still cheering Boris Yeltsin, and went over to the other side of the Russian Parliament building. For all the brave words from the balcony, the precarious …
Continue reading142. The World Holds its Breath
Waking up on 20th August, I at first had to think where I was. It seemed odd that the bed wasn’t shaking – then I remembered that I was no longer on the train, but …
Continue reading141. Coup d’État!
I awoke slowly on 19th August 1991. I was in no hurry to get out of bed, since the train was not due to reach Moscow until mid afternoon. To delay the inevitable, I reached …
Continue reading140. Through Siberia to the Urals
Few people were up early on 17th August – perhaps something to do with the party in carriage 9, that lasted late into the night. Gradually people appeared – a few nursing sore heads. I …
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