"During the winter of 1946-47, after many short stories - few of which were published - I wrote a novella with the temporary title "Between Lemberg and Chernobyl". Later, when it was published, it was called "The Train Came on Time".
"That winter was very harsh, it must have lasted until April, or even May of '47. I no longer remember the difficulties I encountered in writing. I only remember the difficulties of winter in a devastated metropolis, and the problems that were common to all its inhabitants.
That year I worked all day, not very intensively though, to repair the house. The problem of housing, which did not only concern its acquisition, but also its maintenance in a certain condition, was insoluble. At the same time, I studied at the University of Cologne, but I hardly ever set foot in the lectures. I just went there occasionally, for appearances' sake, because I had to obtain some study certificates: my work permit depended on these certificates, as well as the food ration cards I needed to survive" (Heinrich Böll)