Friday's 8/14, Gather Writing Essential:Business, as usual

Business, as usual

Having hitchhiked across Europe with nothing more than my pack and a map, I decide to head to Sarajevo to catch some down-hill skiing at the 1984 Winter Olympics.  Hanging out, taking in the scene, scalping tickets were things in the back of my mind.  Freedom to travel without an agenda proved to be exhilarating.  The train choice was the best way to travel a great distance.  The third world conditions couldn’t beat the cost of the ride. 

Packed in a car full of strangers, with hygiene as their least concern; I experienced the waif of malodor.  My goal was to travel at night, were exhaustion would lull me to sleep as we traversed across the expansive terrain.  It was on this trip to Sarajevo, that I experienced, one of the oldest forms of crimes.  

The train had just begun to rev up it’s motor, the scent of burning coal billowing through the air, passengers coming in and out of my train car. The seating fit 8 adults, 4 sitting across from each other.  I watched as a young Serb went into the bathroom as the conductor came to take our tickets. I held onto my pack, weaving my arms through the shoulder sash, keeping my personal assets and travel documents close to me.

As the train took on a high-speed hum, I fell into a deep sleep.  Something swished against my leg, and I found myself, still too exhausted to fully be awake, opening one eye. The young Serb was now, standing on his seat, with the ceiling removed, passing brand new, crisp blue jeans to two other men that were not previously in the car.  The two strangers quickly tossed the jeans into frayed brown luggage. They whispered a language that I thankfully did not understand.  I slowly looked at all the other passengers, if they had any inkling of what was happening, they did not let on.  They each sat with their eyes closed, motionless. For my own safety, I chose to do the same.

The next morning, the booming voice of the conductor woke us.  The men including the young one that was sitting across from me were all just a fleeting memory.  I reflect on the level of detail to conduct the operation and the accomplices involved. I step out into the crisp cold air and head toward the mountains, smiling. 

© D. Yen 8/18/09

For (Friday 8/ 14) today’s prompt, write something that is set in another location. The location can be factual or not, and can be used either as the setting or as the focal point of the piece. Photo essays, poetry, journal entries, fiction, or non-fiction are all acceptable ways to illustrate the prompt. Make sure to include those details that envelop the reader in the place (and time) you have chosen, and help your readers experience a mini “staycation” during the time they spend reading your work.