We waited at the Paris Bercy station for two hours as we had been able to get to the bus we needed a little earlier than expected.
Unfortunately, there were no staff to be found at the station, so we had no idea what we were to do in terms of luggage, immigration and so on. Eventually found an Italian in a suite reserved for the 1st class passengers, which we were not of course, who told us that we had no problems other than sitting in the right seats. No passport checks, no luggage searches, no immigration and no customs – interesting concept this EU thing.
Climbed on board the train and found our compartment, where upon Gloria and Chelsea commenced what could only be described as being in an equivalent state to that where one goes shopping to buy clothes, discovers that the shops are have sold all their wares and no deliveries are expected for several years. Probably more aptly described as panic.
There were six people and apparently only 4 very hard bunks.
After some rather harsh words were muttered about useless fathers and husbands and some attempts to try and work out where on earth these extra bunks were, a conductor eventually turned up and hey presto – a small lever pulled and a 5th and 6th bunk appeared.
The couple opposite were from South Korea who also had their very shy 12 year old daughter with them. He was able to speak enough English for a conversation and he peppered me with questions about Australia – he did want to visit there in the near future.
Interestingly, we did broach the subject of the political situation in Korea and reunification of the North and South, which according to him, the ordinary people want but the North Korean political structure and military do not.
He was also very aware that Australia fought in the Korean War and did say that he, and many other Koreans were grateful that Australia and the allies did so – they would have been under communist rule otherwise.
At about 9 o’clock we all decided that it was time for sleep and laid the bunks down. The bed clothes consisted of a sheet, pillow and one blanket. The sheet was sewn up at one end, to form a sort of open sleeping bag. Being reasonably warm and having air conditioning in the compartment, we did not need the blanket. We all climbed into our bunks all the while muttering about how hard they were.
We all awoke around 7 am after sleeping like proverbial logs all night. It was easily the best nights sleep any of us had had during the expedition so far. After some discussion, we decided that it was the rocking motion of the train that provided this. The bunks were laid out across the train rather then parallel with the sides of the train so that it was a constant rocking motion.
Eventually arrived in Roma, and in typically Italian style, was an hour late. Fortunately the car and driver we had hired was still there waiting for us - apparently this thing happens in Roma every day.
So onto the hotel we went.....
