Sunday, January 24, 2010

Two-thirty/Three on Friday

I'm sitting on the train, heart pounding, stomach coiled up in knots.  It's a smooth ride but getting here wasn't.  I left the apartment at 1:15, finally making it to the station at 2:10 - just in time for my train to leave at 2:30... And I hadn't gotten my ticket yet.  The metro was late, the tram was spooky, and I had four different languages yelled at me - French, German, Spanish and English. You would think I would at least understand Spanish or English, but I was/am so stressed, I couldn't make my mouth speak.  But I'm here now.  I feel like a dumb American. 

And so much for not bringing my laptop... there's wifi on the trains here. And of course I didn't actually bring paper, so this is on a page from my planner.  Well, I guess now I know for next time. 

The train feels slow, but I guess it's just as fast (faster?) than a car because we're next to a highway and passing them quickly.  It's smooth and quiet and relatively comfortable (compared to planes and vans and metros and other public transportation).  I felt a little awkward, as I didn't, and still don't, know train etiquette.  Also, I think people were a lot more friendly when my dad traveled or when I was younger, or something.  Mostly people just yell at me if I did something wrong or not say anything at all if I didn't.  Haven't gotten much help, either.  I guess I can't pull of that distressed and innocent child look anymore.

Anyways, boarded the train, had no clue where I had to sit/could sit, picked a spot, sat, and a lady asks me something in French and pointing at her ticket and me and the seat... Dumbfounded (some people had just told me I could sit anywhere, as long as I was in the right class), I stuttered, "English?"  and she says I'm in her seat.  Whoops.  I gape and she says it's fine, am I in 52? Luck would have it that I was, and she sat next to me without making me move.

The scenery outside is pretty and they just stamped my ticket (which I also did not know they did).  Anyways, I have a two hour trip - write more tonite.  Oh. And I hope that baby shuts up.

3 comments:

  1. You are doing more traveling in europe than i did and having different experiences. I think for the better and much more adventuresome.

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  2. I only traveled by train once. From Zurich to Paris and I slept most of the way. I do remember having trouble figuring out which train station to get off.

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