22/8/08 11.57PM CEST
Not even Honeysuckle-Grapefruit body mist can entirely cover up the smell of muffin dung. And since I don’t have a super-pressing agenda, this is still funny. Especially since I am making friends as we all cobble together and struggle to communicate what is going on.
It’s been a long time since I found myself on an overnight train, minimizing lodging costs, maximizing time spent in European cities. Fashionista had to head back to Bruxelles briefly before starting school in Italy on Monday. I was bummed to loose my travel buddy, especially after discovering some kickin’ nightlife. But it gave me the chance to see some modern art at Museum Kampa, watch dogs play in the park and do a lot of aimless walking through the city. I figured I would find one of the cool-sounding restaurants and have a nice meal before cozying up on some 2nd class floor. Of course, this involved the “scenic route” which cut me pretty close to my departure time. But with a bit of hustle, I made it on to my train in enough time to snag an open cabin.
Actually, the cabin looks pretty nice. Red seats like knock-off velvet with fresher padding, newer faux-wood paneling, nonsticky floors. At first glance, I think that sleeping in this will be a cinch. Then I get a pair of Spanish-speaking guys heading to Brno and a Czech mom/daughter who were in town for shopping. I’m the only one in for the long haul!
So I dive back into Middlesex before I start dozing. I am mildly aware of what is going on. And then I wake up and ask, why is this train stopped? And eventually, the better question – why is it moving backwards? Apparently, we are experiencing technical difficulties. A conductor explains something in Czech that everyone but me seems to understand. I understand funny noises, being towed backwards and lots of guys hanging out of windows. It’s actually pretty funny. For the first time since I arrived, it is raining, making standing outside unappealing. I have no idea what time I was supposed to arrive in Budapest, let alone what time that will (hopefully) happen now. Who knows, I may have another lovely day to spend in Prague.
The one unfortunate part of this little adventure – the smells. After my inevitably requisite dash to catch the train, I was less than fresh, so I took a couple of spritzes. In general the train seems to be populated by smelly backpackers (of which I am probably one). Also, the Czech mom just threw a dead brown banana peel into the mini trashcan. I have pretty much parked my nose under my shirt, which still smells Bath-Junkie fresh.
The afterward – after about an hour either stationary or rolling slowly in reverse, it seems that they have swapped out engines as we are moving forward again and at a fair clip. People are climbing back into their cabins for what will hopefully be a quieter trip.
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