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.
Due to police investigation most trains from and through Cologne were late. Non-Deutsch passengers were struggling with stubborn station master and other DB staff to understand what is wrong, when and how should they travel now. We had most information but were still not sure what the hell is going to happen next. Koti asked me, Ken is it advisable to board the train in this hour of confusion and chaos. I said yes. Under normal circumstances and with rational mind nobody will travel. But I will. There was no way I am going back after all the fretfulness. This is good omen.
Runway to heaven
The Europe in Hindi movies was like a heaven. I know you want debate that Kashmir is. But we will do that later. I really thought that what Hindi movies show is trick of camera and not nature after spending few days in Burscheid. I was having this belief until I boarded the train to Munich. I really do not have enough words to describe. Imagine green mountains and river. Range of tiny hills and river floating in valley. I am not sure the ICE was running on the river, mountain or was it airborne.
Each house was made of cardboard and painted ivory to white and brown. It is kept neatly at the bank of the river and foot steps of hills. All hills and mountains are brushed with shades of olive, light green and tinge of dried red-brown cherries.
Freeway to hell
At around at 8 it was dark. We could not see anything outside. Till now we were basking on our coup that we made it. We are smart and intrepid. This was time when we came to know that we were running late. In India if train departs late by 1 hr or less; it makes up in next 3-4 hrs of journey.
I assumed this train will do the same. But it did not happen. We heard on-board controller that chances of missing connection at Nuremberg are high. They have requested train to wait but even it waits we will not be able to make it to YMCA by 00:30 hrs. At this hour they close. Koti and I are now discussing whether we should spend night at Munich station or YMCA door. I was searching for other hotels in vicinity of YMCA in my “Rough Guide to Germany.”
Stakes have never changed fast before in my life than today. We are running fast on way with risk of spending our night on streets of Munich. I even thought about what to say to cops in case we are caught. I gave suggestion to Koti that we will see Munich in the night and sleep on sat morning till noon. Start again later in afternoon. 
[Sat and Sunday we spent in Munich and now we are on our way back home]
My mom would say “Kaye khote chogadiye nakaryawa gharethi? In which ill-fated hour of day did you guys left? It is wild and crude translation or should I say bad?
While I was trying to pen my experience in Munich on a train to Cologne; train stopped at some station where it was not supposed to. Most passengers looked slightly disguised and confused. As usual Koti and I just ignored the announcement. Before every station they tell about arrival & departure time, connections, etc. We knew where we want to go and how.
After little bewilderment of few fellow passengers Koti and I raised eyebrows. Both of us were real puzzled now. The lady next seat saw our puzzled mug and was kind enough to explain the situation in her broken English with mixed Deutsche. Something had gone wrong on route ahead with lights that brought all trains to a standstill.
The wave of mild electric magnitude passed through my veins. The ride to Munich was rough enough to give me jitters. She advised us to take train on next platform which was halted for a hour and leave before ours to Cologne. What would have happened if that lady was not kind when rail staff and system was not?
We have no clues on what is going on. A man and woman are chattering happily behind me; which is surprise for all. A girl in front of me is engrossed in latest Harry Potter. A old fellow in book and young man in his VAIO. Koti is in wonderland. I am trying to decipher Angels and Demons while intoxicating me self with verum.
We are at Stuttgart, two & half hours from Cologne. I just handed over the Angles and Demons to Koti. He is wondering what I am writing. I already told him that I blog and this is going to be my next post.
Per my plan; we were to leave Munich at 18:24, reach Mannheim at 21:28. Take a connection here at 21:33 which brings us to Mainz at 22:15. In five minutes we take train to Cologne and be there at 12 past midnight. After hovering there for 40 minutes we take train to Opladen & cab back home at 10 minutes past one in the morning. At current state we will reach Cologne at one on the morning of Monday.
hi ken,
U r one gr8 story teller,i doubt if i can recollect everything so well that too with perfect timing…….a planned trip converted to an experience …kool i say… i guess if u get such experiences and yet the luck to manage doing everything …i am joining u on ur next one.
I am sure this would be one of the most memorable one……..and if i had not known u mein bolti ” sala itna bhi mat fek ki manna mushkil ho jaye ”
enjoy travellin and happy adventures
dreamer
Dreamer!!
Thank you!! You are one hell of praiser.
This trip will be definitely one of the most memorable. For attraction in Munich and adventures of European ICE.
I must say people of these country are really good, I doubt if somebody in America would come forward and would extend a help to non-English people. Of course, it is always extended to and for people of same color. There are exception, and I never had bad experiences ever in US, Australia or here in Germany.
I have heard lot of bad stories thought. I am not sure if heard recently a neo-Nazi group attacked few Indian residents near Berlin. I heard east Germany is still much more conservative than west.
It was not very difficult for me to remember each minute detail including time because I was writing everything as when I got moments to breath.
I must say it really works, especially with travel logs.
Thanks for the appreciation!!
Ken
hey ken,
looks like you had fun! my hubby echoes the same sense of adventure (traveling whn everyone else wuld rather not, especially me) but in retrospect, i guess the most memorable trips are the ones with the unexpected twists and turns.
as of now our travels are limited to the US, and americans as you knw are avid travelers themselves..which might be their reason for sharing friendly tips and advices with us, despite of the distinct difference in color and accent..or maybe we have been lucky enough to cross the open minded ones..so far so good!
plus i think Europe is much more racist than America..v’ll be traveling to Amsterdam and Paris next month, so i guess i’ll have my first taste of traveling in the ‘non-english’ regions. will defiantly leave a comment after tht trip!
Kay,
Yeah, we had fun, anxiety and were tired too. I mean if everything goes well while you travel then it is no fun. It is always those unexpected events that make it memorable.
I know American love traveling, they are among top list in travelers of the world along with Indians and Japanese. Americans have more or less accepted the fact that white does not always mean supreme. In fact with huge African population they can not. These Africans have outclassed them in their own games and sports, also music.
In fact I never had any encounters with racism or was never had burn due to my color, caste or religion. Neither here in west nor in India. But I have heard many bad stories though. I think it is because I never stayed long enough. Most of my interaction with this alien world and its people was for professional reason. We worked together, and in office usually there is no space for any kind of racism. People with whom we work are educated and they understand the need of Indian IT consultant.
People always compare US and EU for racism, but I think there is no need to. It would be like comparing oranges and apples. The interaction between EU and India is much lesser than between US and India.
I am sure you will have good time in Paris. I had good time in Germany and I heard people in France are more liberal at personal level than Germans. But I am sure you will have trouble as French people do not like to speak English unlike German.
Amsterdam no idea. I was planning trip to Paris and Amsterdam myself with friend in US, but he could not come here as flights were too expensive. We could not plan in advance.
I would wait for you to narrate your experience. Wish you a great trip and lots of fun.
Thx,
Ken
Can empathize with a lot
Trains – Some of the places I visited were very small – and needed lots of changes. I remember sprinting at Mannheim with 5 minutes in hand and no idea which bogie was mine.
To add to it – announcements are in German. TTs speak no English.
Yet, you have to admit. The trains are great! The bar in the ICE was fab.
Just to add – In my time in Europe, everyone I met have gone out of their way to help me – a girl travelling alone. Try that stunt in India!
Hi Ken,
didn’t noticed you were back blogging again (after a brief absence), just wanted to welcome you back. I’m really eager to go through all the post (your’s) I missed in my downtime soon.
Cheers!!
Prajwol,
Yeah for sometime I had literally nothing to post. Finally after good trip in Germany I got something to post. One is till under construction.
I did not even had chance to read much, missed many of the posts of yours. Both of us should find time to read.
Thanks,
Ken
Smita,
Thank you for the comments. Yeah, people are really helpful in this country. Though I do not agree that people in India do not help. I have great experience of traveling in India.
Thx,
Ken
Ken,
Wo sind Sie jetzt?
Keshav,
I am back in India.
How are you are life there.
Ken
Hi Ken!
Sorry i haven’t been around for a long time, i’ve taken up with MYspace and COLOURlovers.com, which are using up all my time. I was so frustrated with problems here at WordPress, I sort of gave up on my blog here.
I’ll try again to get it together.
Your trip sounds fun and scary. Even with writing it down as it happened, you still have great recall for it all. The description of the countryside made me feel like i was there.
And just look at all the comments you’ve gotten! Don’t you ever fuss anymore because you don’t think anyone is reading your blogs…they ARE!
So what are you doing with yourself now that you are back in India?
Thanks librasun.
It is great to have you back. I too had intial trouble with WordPress, but now that it is set up, I am reall happy. It works fine for me. But believe me, having more than one blog is nore really gerat idea for me. I am going to stick to wordpress no matter what.
Trip was fun, and scary as well. But they say, no pain no gain.
Back in India I was sick for week. Hence I trying to cope up with all my pending work. All friends are calling for meeting. I am trying to find time for all.
How is life at your end.
Ken
hey no new stuff for quite sumtime now..