Used my railpass for the first time Caen to Paris. I kinda blank on the whole romantic Paris thing so shot off to Strasbourg. Pass may not be worth it as had to pay normal fare as no reservation. perfidious French? Truth is: I was waiting for visas and left in a hurry - not a lot of forward planning. Hung around Strasbourg for a bit. dDid I mention how much I hate my rucksack (sorry,Si) There is nothing I can do to lighten it so must toughen up.
Was about to board Munich zug when Horror! my railpass is gone! Ran back to the booking hall to scream for help (hilfe mir!) but saw the folder on the info desk. Heart took a while to slow down there. Munich was a riot. Oktoberfest and the station and area outside was reeling with costumed Germans, mostly merry. Very merry and with cake round their necks. Lederhosen everywhere you look. Great atmosphere!
I had no reservation for the schlaffwagen to Budapest but the conductor really sweet and found me a place in a 6 bed couchette. Most basic. Small supplement. In with 3 good people and lay down at last. No smoking inside train so nipped out near Wien about 4.30 am and had fag on the platform and photographed men who were loading cars onto a train for, they said, Cairo to be swapped for camels but I may have misunderstood the german.
And we are off again!
