We woke up early this morning and walked through the cold alpine air and beautiful surroundings to the train station in Interlaken. We took 2 trains to get to Geneva via Bern. In Geneva our train wasn't up on the board yet so we grabbed some early lunch.
When we got back to the train station our train was up on the board with a French word next to it and since none of us understand French we weren't too concerned.
Flashback now to a conversation Steve had with another backpacker when we were walking to get food. He asked where we were going and Steve told him we were only there for about an hour because we had a train to Barcelona. The kid responded that he wished he could leave but since the French railway workers were on strike he was stuck.
Now back to us looking at that funny French word on the board... Turns out it translates to cancelled.
As soon as we realized this we went to the RailEurope ticket counter to get some advice onthe fastest way to get to Barcelona from Geneva.
They told us the best way was to take a train to Bellgarde (about 45 minute train ride from Geneva) then a bus to Lyon then a train to Montpellier. Montpellier was where our original layover was going to be so we knew there were trains to Barcelona from there, the only problem is it wouldn't be until tomorrow. When we finally made it to Montpellier we checked with ticket people if there was a faster way to Barcelona and they were kind enough to inform us that the train that the Geneva people told us we could take no longer existed at all.
Our options now were to wait in Montpellier until tomorrow at noon and take a train to Barcelona that would get there at 5 or push on closer to Spain. We could take a short train to a town called Narbonne then a three hour bus ride to Cerbere on the Spanish-French border. In Cerbere there was at least the possibility of catching an earlier train to Barcelona. We opted to push on and take our chances.
So we took our bus to Cerbere and got off with 3 people, an old Spanish man and an Australian couple. Our bus arrived at midnight and we hastily headed up the hill to the train station. At the train station us and the Aussies were greeted by a locked door and police telling us it didn't open until 6am. Six hours to kill.
We sat on the platform and settled in for our night on the concrete with the rats and the bums. Literally.
Sleep didn't come easy on the dirty concrete but everyone was able to pick up a little as we slept in shifts until around 6.
At 6 workers started to arrive at the station and we split 2 taxis with the Australians to get to Port Bou a small town right on the Spanish side of the border. We figured if we got out of France we would have a chanc to catch early trains to Barcelona..it was just a guess but we had nothing to lose.
As we drove into Spain I realized I had never been so happy to see the Spanish language on signs. I was so happy to be out of France and away from it's problems.
When we got to Port Bou we were greeted by the glorious news that there was a train to Barcelona in 25 minutes. I don't think I've been happier in my entire life. I love Spain.
Six trains, two buses, one taxi, one concrete mattress and 28 hours later we were in Barcelona.
Just saw a bunch of the pictures didn't load..I don't know why but you have to wait a few days until we're home.
ReplyDeleteI think you guys should try out for amazing race! Sounds like you would have the experience and ingenuity to win!! Glad I didn't know you were sleeping with the rats!
ReplyDeleteGo hang out on the beach - you deserve it! Love Mom
ReplyDeleteall I could think of the entire time I was reading this was that it's a good thing Sunday nights were consumed with Amazing Race all semester.
ReplyDeleteThis may be the funniest thing I ever read.
ReplyDelete-Brian W