Bajai Life Camp 16.19: Day 470
Berlin hauptbahnhof
Wednesday September 19, 2018
Berlin, Germany
25.73% homeless
The soundtrack to this morning is reggae. There's a Rastafarian outside with a sound system pumping out some classic island instrumentals. I can't identify... sorry. (It's just past midnight in Munich.)
There are a few spots in the station that are still open, and stay open all night. McDonald's is one of them. I walked into two McDonald's since I've been here and walked right back out. I cannot... or will not, suffer the smell. Interesting how a smell that once drew you in can turn you away.
In do course the train arrived. I boarded with no problems, took a backwards facing seat because most people seemed to want to sit facing the outbound direction. I just wanted to relax and sleep.
The train pulled out into the dawn. I struggled to stay awake because I didn't want the conductor to have to wake me up. I certainly didn't want to be awakened. The sunrise was gorgeous. Almost a perfectly round orange ball. By the time I'd gotten to the other side of the train, there were trees blocking the view. I accepted that I was not to record this spectacle electronically. It was for my eyes only.
Woke up and went to breakfast.
Sure enough, after more than an hour on the train, the tap on my shoulder came. Frauline conductor was inspecting the tickets. Then, I went right back to sleep.
The first hour out of Berlin I got the impression I was amongst commuters who were acquainted with each other. There were many laptops open. Probably, they were beginning their workday on the train.
I think I had dreams but I can't remember.
It took me a while to realize that I was traveling forward. Somewhere along the way I went from the back of the train to the front. I might also add that there is both AC power and adequate wifi on this train. I am quite pleased.
Austria is lovely from the train.
I did finally get out of my seat and have breakfast. What a difference between the food and the value. A cup of tea was over €3.00. Inflation! Even on trains last year it was in the $2-3.00 range.
I'm in Munich, Germany now, on a train headed to Italy. It's a nice train, but no ICE. There are several "friendship seats" in this carriage. The type where you face each other. You always take a chance with these seats.
We have power. Wifi remains to be seen. There are more people traveling to Italy on a Wednesday in September than I thought there'd be. But how many did I think? (Actually many people were going to Austria.)
I can't remember wondering. I was too busy second guessing my choices. And scolding myself over it.
This carriage is filling up. People are struggling with their rollage, which is what I call rolling luggage. It's one thing to roll it, quite another to have to lift it over your head. Glad I got here early.
Wow!
We can add Austria to the list, although it's a drive by. Looks like late summer southern Europe is a high season.
How long have I been traveling? I left Warsaw yesterday at 12h:30... so... 27 hours. Nine of them were just killing time in Berlin. I have to get to this hotel tonight and book to Barcelona Saturday. Maybe stay til Tuesday, then Madrid. Will I get the program? Don't know. Maybe find something outside of Barca.
Arrived in Italy.
Who knows? I'm vagabonding. Madrid is looking good, but so is Miami.
The difference between Austria and Italy are the farms. They could be vineyards that line the the tracks. Whatever they are, they're growing and they are bold. Not so much in Austria except lots of rivers with an odd blue-green colour I haven't seen before.
First delay in a long time and it's in Italy. I want to say, "of course" and "figures" but that would be playing into stereotypes. My connect cushion is 45 minutes, the delay is 20. I can still make it. The train arrived at its scheduled late time. Of course it threw me into alternate strategy mode. If all goes well I'll still have a twenty minute cushion. That should be more than enough. The central stations aren't Grand.
My cushion has been diminished by five more minutes. A professional service will hold the connection. But that may not be necessary. Frecciarossa is the company.
Milano's Central Station. Last train to Savona.
Crisis over. Personal calamity averted. I exited the late train with twelve minutes to spare. The connection left eight minutes late. Good scheduling. It's bakin' on this train too. This is Italia for real. A regional rail on a week night. What am I doing in this mix? Going back to Spain the most creative and expensive way possible. At least there's a beach where I'm going. Savona is 90 minutes away.
Well, I made it to the Savona station, just thirteen minutes late. €30 cab ride to the hotel, which are really apartments... I don't know the significance of the difference (apartments have kitchens, this doesn't, it's a room.) But the big story is NO FREE WIFI!! Do I have to repeat it??? €3 a day! Continental breakfast is only two hours.
It gets better. There's a mini bar, with a sign that says guests are not allowed to introduce personal food... for health and safety reasons. This place is shady!! This place is a mess... very modern but lacking in basics like outlets. I counted, one, for the TV that's not plugged in.
If someone else had planned this trip for me I'd only be slightly less annoyed. But it's all on me and I'll take everything that comes with it.
I'm going to have to explore this place and find a way to get out. Even their check-out time is earlier than the norm.
More later, but now well-deserved shower and sleep.
By the way. I'm not in Savona, (well I am; Savona is the name of the province.) But a place called Vado Ligure.
My analysis of the place tomorrow.