Only Three Freaks Seen - One with Plastic Tubes for Dreads

We headed back to the train station and I bought my ticket. I said my goodbyes and was glad that Robert was there; it did not allow them to stick around and have me get all upset about leaving Justin. I wound up spending a week with him, originally it was supposed to be 2 days, I was happy about the extra time for sure.

I got my luggage from the car; it is nice to have a rolling bag and have some more clothes but I need to do a wash! The train that I was supposed to be catching should have been no transfers but for whatever reason I thought it said one transfer. I walked to my platform, up some steps which had a conveyer belt to put your luggage which was quite handy; and went looking for a machine to compost my ticket. I found a yellow machine with an “F” on it and assumed that is what it was; but nothing would happen. I put it in forward, backward, upside down, sideways, nothing happened! I was alone on my tracks with an older woman who opened a beer. All of the younger people were on the opposite tracks. I decided she was my best bet.

I went up to her and asked if she spoke English, she said “nine” (spelled incorrectly I know!). I figured I needed help anyways and showed her my ticket. She was shocked that it was 15,50 to get to Munich and said one of the towns which made me think there was a switch of trains. I then asked for where to compost my ticket. She of course did not know the French and so I showed myself putting a ticket forward, made a funny noise like a machine, and then pulled my ticket towards me. She got the idea finally and showed me, somehow, it was already stamped.

There was a lady across the tracks asking about the train that had already come and picked up people and dropped off people. I figured she asked if the train came, so I nodded. I guess that is not what she said as the woman who helped me shook her head and said something else. The lady across the tracks left and my lady stayed put at my train came (I think she was a nice looking bag lady).

I got onto my train and the first cart looked full so I walked past the English speaking kids, into 1st class, walked to the next car, which was full, onto the next car and found a spot with a couple. The train went and then stopped at the next station…I mean it stopped. Engine off and everyone got their stuff. I asked the people I sat with and they said we needed to get off and go to platform 2. I got off with everyone else and we were already at platform 2.

I stood outside, warmer than what it appeared others were. This made no sense to me as people who got off the train took off crates (literal crates) filled with bottles of beer. What seemed like everyone lit a cigarette and opened a beer. A few minutes later a conductor came out and said something and everyone went to get back on the train. I was happy to see this as it meant I got a seat to myself and rushed on. Once on I asked the group to my right if we were going to Munich, they said yes. Just to check, I got up and asked an American group if they were going to Munich and they said yes as well. Nobody really seemed to know why we got off of the train just to get back on the same one, but everyone did it.

The cart that I was in was an older crew but everyone had a beer that they opened. It is Friday, the day before Oktoberfest begins, it is going to be crazy. I am really happy that I am used to the city already and that the train station is near my hotel. I am also GRATEFUL that Justin brought me some earplugs, I am sure I will be using them tonight.