A funny thing happened on the way to Barcelona
After a VERY VERY LONG journey yesterday I arrived yesterday morning in Barcelona, but not without yet another train story….What would backpacking travel be without multiple train stories. I live for them.
Overall the train ride was fine. I left Siena bright and early and made it to my first, second and third destinations without incident.
I ended up back where I started in Venice. I had a 2 hour wait, which I was excited about. I really was looking forward to enjoying that pasta I had when I first arrived in Venice. Unfortunately, I couldn’t locate the place and lugging 50 lbs up and down stairs was not my idea of a good time past the first few sets of stairs. I’ll get it (next time). I settled for 2 slices of pizza and a couple of cans of Heineken.
SO…I’m on the very long train ride to Geneva. (7 hours) not including the 4 previous hours earlier that morning. The ride to Geneva has many stops, which is to be expected, since Geneva was the last stop of the train. Despite the fact I had no electricity for any device, all was well.
The problem begins when the train schedule falls out of whack. When the conductor announced the new arrival time I new right then all hell was going to break loose. Let me put things in perspective for you. The original arrival time was 11:15 the new time changed to 11:24, my next train was scheduled to leave at 11:38. (Stay with me)
OK… I now only have 10 minutes to find my transfer train in Geneva. I’m extremely nervous because unlike the Italy train stations I am not familiar with this countries system. SIDEBAR: I can’t believe I just said that I understand the Italy train systems. HUH? (anyway)
The trip continues and I ask the train ticket guy did he think we would make my transfer train. He’s like “Oh, yes, we will make it.” hmmm. Yeah, I don’t know about that. KEEPING FAITH
The clock really starts to tick. He says we will be there in 15 minutes. I think it was like 11: 10 when he said this. I felt a little better, but not much.
Time keeps ticking, we keep stopping and I’m like OMG. I’m going to miss my f*&#*@ train. What the *#&*@ am I going to do? Unlike my previous “almost” missed train experiences, I could always catch another because it was during the day. Not the case this time.
Meanwhile back at the ranch.
My time has now dwindled to 8 minutes, then 5, then 2. We still haven’t arrived in the train station. I’m now preparing myself to sleep in Geneva. BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE!
As we finally pull into the train stop at 11:37 I get off and find the nearest worker and prayed that they spoke English. At this point, I’m like whatever. Just play it out. Your not dead, you just missed the train.
As it turns out the train GODS were with me yet again. I found a nice guy and he proceeded to take me to where my train was located. I asked him did he think I would make it. Yes, he said. They are waiting. I’m like REALLY?!!!!
Needless to say I made the train. THANK YOU TRAIN WORKER. I WILL SEND YOU A POSTCARD TO YOUR BOSS FROM BARCELONA
On the train, I find myself cramped in a very small sleeper car. it’s totally dark and the other 3 guys are knocked out. I of course turn on the lights and get searing eyes. I’m like yeah….I can’t see shit and I barely made this friggin train. YOUR SLEEP and we’ve got 8 more hours or more so DEAL
In the end I just dropped my stuff layed down and just went to sleep. The next morning the train was 1 hour LATE. But I didn’t care, because I didn’t need to catch another train. I feel sorry for the people that did.
What I didn’t know is that I was going to get lost trying to find the next hostel…..to be continued.
2 years ago