real paradox of Munich trip September 7, 2007
Posted by Ken in complaints, life, opinion, photo blog, travel log.Tags: adventure, Experience, Fun, Germany, Munich, Reviews, Story, Travel, travel log, View
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With my heart in my mouth; we boarded train to Nuremburg. It was late by twenty minutes. We got on bus to Opladen from office on time at 16:08 hrs. I saw my manager missing his bus back home. 
From Opladen we had to board a train to Cologne at 16:46. I am sure you are impatient while I am giving the account of each minute of this journey.
Believe me; I had jitters, goosebumps and all such feeling since I got on train to Cologne from Opladen. On Thursday I called up YMCA in Munich and I could book a twin room for €32.00 per night per person for two nights.
Once I knew I had place to spend night, I started looking for a cheap way to reach Munich. There was return flight for €200. But it was from Cologne airport and I had no clue on how to be there. Second option I thought was Thalys; but it does not travel between Cologne and Munich. Now the only option was to use ICE (InterCity Express); which will cost €178. It was okay; as this was the only option or we do not travel. It was expensive as next weekend we could have flew for €150.
The train to Cologne got delayed by long 45 minutes due to police inquiry in Cologne. We were to reach there by 05:05 pm, find a counter to buy a ticket to and from Munich. We reached at 15:45 hrs. We ran to counter to check if we can still board the train. Looking at long queue, we decided we will go to platform and see how the train looks like. And head back home with fool’s mug. Two minutes close to 17:53 hrs we were talking to station master about the status as there was no train on platform. At the back of my mind I was toying with idea; I have reservation; but I have not yet paid for ticket. Is it possible to pay on train?
Station master told me train is twenty minutes late. Immediate question was where to buy a ticket. He said on the train. Was there moment happier in near future? I doubled checked everything. A local guy helped me to have detailed conversation with station master. Now you must have understood why I was holding my breath.
