Remember when they taught you about Pompeii at school, and showed you photos of all those dead bodies suffocated by the volcano's ashes? It all came back to me the moment we stepped on board the train at five o'clock in the morning.
There were construction workers in their hi-vis vests and safety helmets drawn deep over their eyes, office workers with their bodies sunk deep into their suits, and office girls all made up to impress bosses that hadn't even got out of bed yet. They must've sleepwalked onto the train farther up the line and thrown themselves onto their seats, out for the count, which wasn't just for the next ten seconds but for another whole hour before we reached Sydney. And they were doing this not just on this day but every day of the week, perhaps for the rest of their working lives. I said to myself quietly, "There, but for the grace of God, sleep I".
Perhaps that is what travel is all about: to look at other people and to appreciate one's own lot and ultimate arrival at home.
A quick change at Sydney Central onto the southbound train, with Kini waiting for us at Wollongong Station to drive us back to their home where we had left our car. A cup of coffee and a boiled egg later, we were on our way to Bomaderry to again call in at the WELCOME Restaurant, before hitting Nowra's fabulous Salvation Army op-shop.
It must be the BUNNINGS of all op-shops! You could arrive in Nowra with no more than the shirt on your back and walk out of the SALVOS with enough clothing to be suitably dressed for every occasion, and with all the furniture, wall hangings, and kitchen appliances to fill a house.
Just then a fellow-patient from my days at the cancer hospital, Hector, and his charming wife Vivian, whom I had told of my encouraging examination results, WhatsApped me to say, "Wonderful news. Time to take Padma to a very nice special place to celebrate."
I am, Hector and Vivian, I am! I am taking her home to "Riverbend"!
