Days 59 and 60

(Dan’s comments are italicized)

At the end of the last episode, Rhia and Dan were in Zagreb, Croatia, and had just found out that there was a problem with their direct train to Frankfurt. But our intrepid travelers had rolled with the punches and found a bus to Savski Marof, Slovenia from whence they could catch their direct train to Frankfurt…if the bus arrived on time. Let’s catch up with the dynamic duo now.

😅😂🤣😭🤣😂😅😅😂🤣😭🤣😂😅😂🤣

We have learned that a timetable is only a suggestion in this part of Europe so we arrived at the bus station early. We were the first on the bus and our 6:30 am bus left at 6:23 🫢😆

We arrived at the train station in plenty of time to get our direct train to Frankfurt AND we had a cabin to ourselves! For 2 hours it was a delightful journey that we passed through some beautiful places.

Then things went awry; we were kicked out of our cabin (but found other seats) just in time to hear that the train wasn’t going to Frankfurt after all, but would end in Villach, Austria (about 8 hours shy of Frankfurt 😂) fortunate for us that we did get kicked out of our cabin, too. We sat next to a German couple that translated our fate to us.

The announcements then came hot and heavy; the Frankfurt train would be waiting for us at Villach; the Frankfurt train would NOT be waiting for us; another train would be waiting to take us to Salzburg; no it wouldn’t; there would be 2 buses to Salzburg (which might take 25% of the passengers); we’re in Villach, GET OFF THE TRAIN!

So we got off the train and had lunch in Austria! We contemplated trying to catch the bus to Salzburg, but a horde of young backpackers crushed our hopes with their agility and speed.

We managed to book a train to Salzburg, another from there to Munich, and another from Munich to Frankfurt. “That’s doable,” we thought. The Salzburg train was full. Fortunately, a kind gentleman gave me his seat and Dan got one after an hour or so. Actually, I had a seat for one stop before a reserved passenger stepped up next to me. He simply looked at me, and before he said a word, I grinned and stood up. He shot me a surprised smile and took his seat. I got to stand next to a full size window and watch the beautiful countryside pass me by, an opportunity I would not have had in a seat, and we arrived in Salzburg on time (almost).

We got on the next train but we were shoved in like cattle…people sitting on their bags, on the floor, on each other; it was as bad as I’ve seen in India, China, or Albania 😂 During the journey we found out that our train to Frankfurt was cancelled. Our only option was to get the earlier one (that had too short a turnaround time to be booked on)…and our train was running late.

All I can say in my defense is that I think my body was taken over temporarily by an alien because I turned into a raging hippo, not caring who I trampled on my way. As we turned into the platform, the guard was waving the flag and starting to close the door. I yelled “NO” in a voice that I swear wasn’t mine. Rhia was amazing!!! We had to fast march over 450 meters to the next gate. Rhia actually started jogging before common sense kicked in. I was just short of jogging, and she kept up!!! The outcome was that we made the train AND had a seat 😁

And so, we leave our not-so-dynamic-but-very-disheveled duo entering their room in Frankfurt after a 17 hour journey. Breakfast in Croatia, lunch in Austria, and dinner in Germany; quite the eventful day!

• Train to Frankfurt
• Bus to Savski Marof
• Train to Frankfurt Villach
• Train to Salzburg
• Bus to Salzburg
• Train to Salzburg
• Train to Munich
• Train to Frankfurt
• Run like hell
• Train to Frankfurt

I slept until almost 10!! Although we knew there was an older part to Frankfurt, we decided not to go searching for it but to take things extremely easily instead. So we strolled along the river.

We decided to treat ourselves to a post Indian meal (what else do you do in Germany??) but almost got swayed by this pizza hut sign; in the US/UK we have Laurel and Hardy but Germany has Dick and Doof 😂

But the Indian Restaurant won out (Judith 💖).

We continued ambling around afterwards and accidentally found the old town! We’re like moths to a flame where old things are concerned 😂

One of the things I love about German architecture is that it’s so distinctively German.

When rebuilding after WWII they found some Roman ruins dating back 2,000 years…

It was just what we needed; a relaxing day in a beautiful city, a wonderful meal, and a walk home through the park; perfect (and still 12,000 steps!)

As I reflect on the last two days, I realize that I have come a long way in our travels. The uncertainty of yesterday left me unfazed. I felt like an audience member “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles”. I was in it for the journey, and the challenge. This is what backpacking is all about. Experiencing EVERYTHING about the world, not just the glitz and glamour.