The train to Copenhagen I thought would be just like every other journey I’ve taken so far. And for most of the trip it was, well except for the bit that involves a ferry….
Yes travelling across Germany just taking in the scenery and then next thing I know I’m being told to be ready to get off the train once it gets onto the ferry. Sure enough the train stops and then takes of edging itself onto the ferry for the crossing from Germany to Denmark.
It really was something, how does a train that needs tracks drive onto a ferry that can bounce up and down with the sea. Who knows, all I know is that I spent 30-40 minutes abroad a ferry crossing the short section of water between Germany and Denmark. As for the ferry crossing well, I’ve never seen so many people go crazy in a very long time. Diving on the fact they were in international waters I saw boxes of cheap beer and the like walking itself across the checkouts.
Leaving the ferry behind I sat back and watched the cold wet weather form across the countryside, just praying that it wouldn’t keep following me to Copenhagen. Rolling into town later than I have arrived in a city before had me very lost and extremely confused. The tourist information was closed so that meant no map, add to that no staff to ask about what ticket I needed for a bus to my hostel I had to simply take a leap and hope I knew what I was doing.
My directions to the hostel stated I needed to get off the bus at stop 3. This was fine but what if the bus doesn’t stop at every stop along the way? It is for this very reason that I prefer a tram or train to a bus any day of the week. I at least know where they are going as opposed to a bus which can turn and follow whatever path it damn well likes.
Out of fear I would miss my stop I ensured the stop light was lit for each stop. No way was I missing my stop and having to find the way back in the rain and wind. Disembarking at my stop I found the hostel which was hidden down an alley behind another building. Entering I was greeted by an aussie guy working the reception desk. The usual what part of Australia are you from etc etc followed which then lead to me learning there was a street concert on up the road.
A couple of beers later and having stowed away my belongs in the small 14 bed dorm room I had met a Canadian and German who where headed for the concert as well so off we went. Meeting a Dutch guy and girl at the concert we set about drinking beers like all good backpackers do.
Drinking beers lead to dancing at a club which while sounding like a good idea at the time, turned into a horrible place and we departed an hour or two later. Even with the poor club in a matter of hours I had made new friends all by saying Yes. I could have easily just said NO to the question “do you want to join us” but then I would have missed the fun of meeting 4 awesome new friends and having a great night.
Time and time again I’ve had great fun just by being open to meeting new people. If your about to depart on a trip somewhere, go with an open mind and the willingness to talk to everyone. If you say no then you may just find yourself travelling the road very much alone until your next stop.
The first time I saw the train on the ferry my jaw dropped too. Train + boat just didn’t compute for me 😛
Crazy huh Anil. I was like no way, how do they get it on there.
Great post Chris. Glad you’re making new friends… even if your beer consumption is through the roof. Did you plan for the drinking in the budget? 🙂
haha who says my beer consumption is any different to back home 🙂
I didn’t drink much in the beginning, it was only the further I moved east that the beer got cheaper and living costs did as well that I upped the intake.
Have a blog post coming up about budget and what I learn’t.
Why didn’t we go clubbing??????????? haha
I don’t know Cailin, maybe because your legs were too sore I didn’t want to give you another reason to complain 🙂
I traveled to Sicily on a night train. I woke up in the middle of the night to no sounds of tracks, and looked out the window to see I was on a boat! It was quite bizarre.
haha Matt that would have freaked me out, I’d so have though where the hell am I and did I miss my stop.
Trains that go on ferries, what will they think of next!!! Pretty clever, but pretty trippy!!! I totally agree that I think it would be hard to travel and get the most out of your experience with the NO mentality. Saying YES most of the time leads to amazing discoveries of just all round run times!!! 🙂
So very trippy Sasha. I really don’t think you can travel if your not open to everything. The few people I did meet that were like that just sat on their own and I don’t even think I saw them leave the hostel, that’s no way to travel.