Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
I didn't need any help to work out what the dream meant. Here in Russia, I knew
who I was, what I wanted and had found freedom. And yet day by day, as we cycled
east towards Beijing, we were nearing the end of the experience and moving away
from the place that I loved. I imagined the flight home would be like spiralling
back to earth, completing the process of self-administered exile.
The following afternoon I was browsing through a market stall when someone
shouted from behind. I turned to see Sergei and his friend running towards me in a
sweat. They looked panic-stricken.
'Tim, c'mon, let's go back and have a chat with Chris. Where have you been?'
Sergei shouted.
Back at the cabin he looked grave. 'Tim, understand, I have already told Chris.
My grandmother died today, and I desperately need three hundred roubles for the
funeral.' Three hundred roubles was the equivalent of AU$18.
I reached into my pocket and handed over thirty-five roubles in change. He
snatched it without a word of thanks.
'No, Tim, you don't understand. Thirty-five is nothing; I need three hundred. I
will pay you back tomorrow.' He clenched his fist and looked away for a moment
before glaring back at me. His eyes had turned a darker shade. 'Tim, I just can't
imagine what will happen if I don't get the money.'
He was pretty small and between Chris and I, he didn't pose much of a threat.
But then again his experience in jail had probably toughened him up. Hoping to
get some breathing space, and stave off coming to blows, I thought of a temporary
solution. 'Well, we haven't got money. But maybe I can get some using my cred-
it card.' I had been speaking in Russian and Chris looked at me in confusion. He
knew that I didn't have a credit card. What he didn't know was that I did have an
expired card. I produced the card and asked Sergei if he knew the whereabouts of
an automatic teller machine.
'Be careful, Tim, be careful. There are criminals everywhere. I will help you
protect it. You can trust me. Don't show it to anyone,' Sergei said, his eyes glued
to the card.
With Sergei in the lead, we went in search of a bank. We spoke only in Russian.
Fearing that Sergei would sense something was afoot, I did not tell Chris my plan.
'Let's see, if I withdraw five hundred roubles, when you pay me back tomorrow
I will have just enough money to get us on the road to Ekaterinburg,' I said.
'Yes, of course. I will pay you back tomorrow morning,' he replied.
'Please send my deepest sympathies to your family.'
