Safe arrived at the ancient capital of the southern republic. City preternaturally quiet on a seventh-day morn. Interesting rooms in a slightly dodgy neighborhood very near the center, the dome of the parliament outside the window.
Journey difficult, but not nearly as difficult as it was the last time I followed this path, as I made sure to ask for an open car, rather than compartments -- they had to call down to the yard to check. Still, though, climate control proves elusive on this line (which, in fairness goes into the mountains at points). Exhausting journey, and then the last several hours might have qualified as a medical coma, as I didn't so much drift into unconsciousness as slip off the continental shelf of consciousness.
Interesting layover in the nation to the southwest. Walked about a mile to the banking district to see if I could get some of the destination currency. None was available, oddly. Many folks in camouflage in the banking lines. (though there was a good rate available in the station when I arrived). Then walked back to the station and then a mile in the other direction to a hardware chain that I knew had good wooden bath brushes. One should try to be the type of fellow who would walk two miles for a good bath brush. Keeping up standards. Like daily shaving in the trenches in the Great War. Surprisingly difficult to find a wooden brush in these parts, even in the German sections of Transylvania.