Posted in my story, tagged Florence, My story, train, travels on January 12, 2015| Leave a Comment »
we took the night train to Florence
a twelve hour journey
the train stopped
it was still dark
I looked out my window
heard people talking
saw the cherry of a mans cigarette
they were on strike
we were near Venice
I was concerned
no worries she said, it was common
three hours later the train started moving
how bizarre
finally the next morning
we arrived in Florence
Posted in my story, tagged french greeting, My story, travels on January 11, 2015| Leave a Comment »
there was a farewell party
a basement pub
german food, wine and beer
served around one long table
family style
blithe man on the accordian
german folk songs
memories of my dad
before our train to Florence
we got a sandwich from the bakery
fresh hard roll with salami and cheese
we packed it for our trip
au revoir
goodbye to her French family
whisper cheek kiss right, then left
again whisper cheek kiss right, then left
note to self
mouth kissing is not included in the French salutation
awkward
Posted in my story, tagged My story, travels on January 8, 2015| Leave a Comment »
I was completely exhausted
having not slept much on the train
she visited a friend that night
I crashed
she had two more days of school
I wandered Vienna alone
beautiful gardens
the family she stayed with was French
they graciously welcomed me in
we talked about where we would travel
being a German Swede
I favored Germany and Sweden
note to self
Sweden is in Scandinavia
a different country than Switzerland
she suggested Italy
she was there on spring break
we decided
Florence, Rome, Sorrento and Paris
I would drop her off in Paris
Posted in my story, tagged My story, train, travels on January 6, 2015| Leave a Comment »
the compartment was cozy
big cushy leather reclining seats
friendly travel mates
and a window seat
it was perfect
that is until the conductor came by
I was sitting in first class
my ticket was coach
he made me leave my cushy seat
I got off the train
luggage in tow
started down the platform
way down the platform
showed my ticket again
still more down the platform
finally I found coach
and after being in first class
it kind of sucked
stowed my luggage
tried to get comfortable
the seats were hard
it was going to be a long day
Posted in my story, tagged Calais France, My story, travels on January 5, 2015| Leave a Comment »
once ashore
we pressed on to the train station
down a flight of stairs
and up a flight of stairs
me and my luggage were ready to part ways
when I finally made it up
I stood before not just one train
but row after row after row of trains
how was I ever going to find mine
no one spoke English
if I got on the wrong train
I could easily end up in the wrong country
so I took out my ticket
and started making my way down
at each row I stopped and showed my itinerary
until finally I got a nod
relieved, I hopped into the first car and stowed my luggage
Posted in my story, tagged Calais France, Dover, ferry, travels on January 4, 2015| Leave a Comment »
I was expecting to be on the train non-stop for the next 24 hours
It wasn’t even two hours and the train came to a complete stop
everyone on the train disembarked
I sat there for a few minutes and looked out the window
clearly there was nowhere for the train to go
it looked like we were in a shipyard
grabbing my luggage I followed the crowd
where were we? Dover
note to self
there is a canal between England and the rest of Europe
we would be taking the ferry
fumbling for my ticket I managed to make my way onto the ferry
how was it, that on the train everyone spoke English
yet on the ferry, I couldn’t find a soul to communicate with
I had not the slightest clue what they were saying, where we were going,
how long it would take to get there, or what to do when we got there
the ride was about three and a half hours
I stood most of the time as there were not a lot of places to sit
most people were standing around talking and ordering food and drinks
finally we got to our destination
the maritime station in Calais, France
Posted in my story, tagged Buckingham Palace, My story, travels on January 3, 2015| Leave a Comment »
I started getting confused
was I even on the right train
did I miss my stop
panic slowly stirred in my chest
I could be on this train all night
I froze and couldn’t move
how long would I be stuck on this train
a young man approached me
he must have read the fear in my eyes
he asked me if I was lost
I handed him the flyer
I should have gotten off two stops ago
he offered his help
cautiously I accepted
I just wanted a place to drop off my luggage and sleep
he carried my luggage and helped me check in
we grabbed a bite to eat
he took me back to the train station
I purchased my ticket to Vienna
he showed me Big Ben and Buckingham Palace
took me to my room
and arranged to pick me up in the morning
we were going to spend the next two days together
I couldn’t do it
it was out of my comfort zone
I just wanted to get to Vienna to meet up with my friend
the next morning I showered and left early
I found my way back to the train station
exchanged my ticket to leave right away
found my way to the train
and settled in for the long 24 hour ride Vienna
Buckingham Palace
Victoria Palace Theatre
Posted in my story, tagged England, travels, Victoria station on January 2, 2015| Leave a Comment »
the train from Gatwick to Victoria Station
took about thirty minutes
would have been a long way to walk
especially with two suitcases, a carry-on bag and a purse
I peaked outside the station
the size of the city was overwhelming
how would I ever find the youth hostel circled in my book
the map was barely two inches square
someone handed me a flyer
directions to another youth hostel
it was affordable
a destination with clear directions starting on the subway
how hard could it be
I purchased a ticket
got on the underground train
and watched for my stop
Posted in my story, tagged Gatwick airport, London, travels on January 1, 2015| Leave a Comment »
well there I was in London
so I thought
I had picked up my bags
passed through customs
got a stamp in my passport
and walked out the glass doors of the Gatwick Airport
hmmm there was no city
I had sort of expected to just walk out
and be in London
went back in and found a place to sit down
the luggage was already heavy
I was exhausted
realization set in
I was completely alone
didn’t even have a way to call my dad
even if I did, what could he do
I was half a world away
went up to information to ask how to get to London
she mumbled something
it was clearly in English
I didn’t understand a word
excuse me
she repeated herself several times
frustrated, she pointed to the right
I understood the word train
I found my way to the train station
and bought a ticket to London
Posted in my story, tagged My story, travels on December 31, 2014| Leave a Comment »
all the arrangements were made
passport, ticket, travel checks
it was all I could think about
my marked calendar was proof
that I was counting down the days
my dad was irritated
I didn’t have a hotel reserved
why should I reserve an expensive hotel
I had the book “Let’s Go Europe”
it had everything I needed
places to visit, eat and sleep
my grandmother had given me
luggage for my graduation
yellow Samsonite suitcases
I was so excited to use them
right, I would be backpacking across Europe
with yellow Samsonite suitcases
I had it all planned out
three days by myself in London
then take the train to Vienna
It played out pretty well in my head
It didn’t even cross my mind
that things could go any different
the John Denver song “leaving on a jet plane”
played over and over in my head
I wasn’t leaving anybody
but I had always dreamed that one day
I would wake up early one morning
to fly somewhere on a jet plane
I was about to make that dream come true
Indigo-Daisy 