Sul Campo Del Mare - Vilenica

V2-2010.PM52536/13/100, 12:14 PMJáchym Topolsaw her, holding the end of the tent flap... We slipped inside, Kagan gropedaround on the ground, lifted a wooden hatch, there were some stairs,down below you could see a glimmer coming from some light-bulbs,Maruška descended right behind me, we stepped down and down, notspeaking, Maruška followed by others.Then I followed Kagan down a long tunnel, we ducked our heads andfinally reached a little train. The train looked like it was for children.We boarded the train, Kagan, Maruška and me, another guy crammedhimself in, then two girls, out of breath and all grimy, one by one peoplecame out of the tunnel and got into the little train. The carriage next toours, more a humble wagon, was full of wooden crates, sealed ones. AndKagan was laughing, ever so quietly.“I bet you didn’t know there are still countries where an archaeologistcan really feel like Indiana Jones, did you, my friend, ha ha ha?”And off we went, the ride was a bit rocky here and there; our progresswas slow, but steady. Why hadn’t we thought of this at Theresienstadt? Agreat little train like this one! It would have been just the thing for movingelderly tourists and things! From the Monument to the cemetery andthe ramparts. And kids! It would help to save their little legs.“Where are we going?” I asked Kagan. He was sitting next to me.“Party HQ. Our HQ, the opposition. That’s where we bring all the findstogether,” he replied.“And is it safe?” I asked, because I was having doubts.“Our plan is of interest to both the opposition and the government, soyour mission is in no jeopardy,” he said. He was leaning towards me. Itwas too dark to see his face, but his rubber mac reeked.“Where is your party’s HQ?”“Minsk.”Oh dear, I thought to myself. I’d much rather be moving on. But if I’dhad even an inkling of where I was headed, I’d have stuck limpet-like tomy seat in the little train.The last of the faint light disappeared as we turned a corner. We werepassing into genuine darkness and cold. I wanted to take Maruška’s hand,but I couldn’t go groping around, so I gave up the idea. But I bless theenveloping darkness because I could at least deal with the deposit builtup inside my nose. I’d be embarrassed if anyone saw me picking it.I also reached in my pocket and took out my memory stick. I thrust itinto one of my fabulous boots. I wiggled my toes and felt the little thinginside my sock. We trundled along through the pitch dark without a wordpassing between us. Not that there was anything to say. Clearly, they wereafter us.Translated by David Short253