Good morning from my first full day on the train! I fell asleep at ten, woke at half one with my first ever nosebleed (apparently it’s the very dry air) and opened the blind at half five to find us pulling into Fargo. Outside: miles and miles of… nothing. Which is exactly what I wanted to see. I was surprised to find snow and ice everywhere – it’s clearly been a long, hard winter here.
I have every excuse to be utterly lazy today: repaint my nails, read my book, maybe some watercolour (though the movement of the train might drive me mad). Meals are shared when you’re travelling solo, so last night I dined with a young student and this morning had breakfast with a father and son. I didn’t want to be rude and get my phone out – until they all did, so I joined in!
Then my first fresh-air break: a 40-minute stop at Minot, where I walked the length of the train to the engine and back. It’s only when you’re standing next to it that you realise how enormous it is. #TrainLife