Trains in Europe

Trains in Europe can be wonderful. It is best not to travel by train if you are carrying 100 pounds of gear, a guitar and a banjo, limited language skills and there is a conductor strike. Regardless, I learned a lot by taking trains. Sometimes when the train stops you have the “gap” and steps. Step up or step down and sometimes you have to toss the gear and jump for it. Try not to travel on the weekend, expect delays and medical emergencies. Sometimes you have to change trains in small towns and the schedule signs don’t work. Sometimes they change the departing track without notice, unless you speak the language and can understand that distant voice on the faraway speaker. Other than that, trains work pretty well.