Denmark

We are speeding north in an IC-(Inter-city) train, through the north of Germany approaching the Danish boarder. The colors are changing from green to yellow, huge fields that must feed much of Germany are on both sides of us. Tall corn that looks ready to harvest, low fields of beans or peas spread out in this flat country to the horizon. The towns are getting smaller now. Hamburg was the last of the big cities.

We will change trains one more time before entering Denmark. The town is Flensburg. We would never have seen it on the map except that it sits at the boarder where this German train terminates. We haven’t spoken to a single soul except the conductor who checked our ticket, so we could be in Indiana or Kentucky or Spain and see the same wild berries growing along the train tracks, grain silos, and brick houses. But the occasional announcements of unintelligible train stops remind us that we are in Germany.

Gene is busy on his computer, trying to recall our itinerary. We failed to make a daily journal, partly because every minute seems to have been absorbed with travel and partly because it takes blocks of reflective time that we haven’t been able to find in our day until now.

The beauty of train travel is the time it takes to get from one spot to another allows for lots of reflection. This is an eight-hour trip today. Leaving at 6:45 am and arriving at 15:30 pm.

From the train I can see black bridges, red tiled roofs, lawns and swing sets. We are passing high above the city on a narrow bridge. The bridge is so high, it makes my knees knock. We think it has been built to allow ships to pass under on the river that must be 10 stories below us. Hope this conductor is paying attention.

Though our travel has been smooth, it has not been without a few funny incidents: Here are a few suggestions for fellow travelers:

First, keep your mind focused on entering the correct bathroom if you can...

Twice I have ended up in the men’s restroom after getting the token, finding the WC and figuring out the turnstile. It seems that my brain doesn’t have enough free space to look at the men’s/women’s sign while negotiating the turnstile. The men have been very gracious:) I’ve got to get better at that.

Second, try to get off the train at the correct station whenever possible....

Our first experience with this was on the way to Cochem. It was so dark we couldn’t see the signs and so late there were very few people to ask. Top it off with multiple Cochem exits and we were bound to miss it. Our “Lost American Traveler” faces gave us away and the lovely locals helped us get off at the right exit. Late-night fiasco avoided.

Our second experience was today. We asked a fellow traveler how many stops were in Hamburg and he said “only one”, so we heard a Hamburg stop announced and prepared to disembark. The train stopped, we stepped off in Hamburg-Harbur. And the man who gave us the mis-information ran after us to get us back on the train, wrong stop. Saved again.

This was the same poor guy who politely told Gene that he had a reservation for the seat Gene was sitting in and would he kindly move. Gene's sat there with his “Confused American Traveler” face on, noticing that there were lots of other empty seats. So the man asked again with more clarity and put his things down on the adjoining seat saying, "I only need the one you are sitting in, you can have the others". Gene picked up his lap-top, phone, back-pack, maps, pens, etc and moved, still confused, but compliant.

Our third "try to get off at the right train station experience" came during our ride out of Hamburg. The announcer had such a strong accent we couldn't tell she was speaking English until she said “Thank you” at the end of the announcements. So, she announced Rendsburg, which sounded like Flendsburg and we were, once again, scrambling for our maps, reservations and notes to be sure we weren't missing our station.

Third, pack a lunch when you are traveling in uncharted territory...

Many trains will have a dining car and if you have local currency with you, you should be able to find a roll and coffee at the very least. Gene and I made some tiny little mistakes. We didn't bring along enough coinage and we casually missed our opportunity to use the dinning car until it was too late. So here we sit, with too few coins and, even fewer, since Gene put the few we had into a machine that wouldn't give them back. There is a coffee stand, but no attendant. We consider stealing some, but that seemed like a bad idea. Luckily, we had breakfast at Peters 11 hours ago. Now I understand why Angelica wanted to take us shopping for food for the train ride. Yes, that would have been wise. Every one else on this train seems to have a warm crispy sandwich. Oh well, lesson learned.

Our mistakes make us laugh and realize how flawless our trip has been. What would travel be if it didn't test your wit and stomach.

We just crossed the border and entered Denmark, this is how we know...

People say “Ya” a lot.

The city names have letters that I have never seen before, in combinations that are impossible for an English speaker to say.

The sun has gone behind a cloud.

We are traveling along water, bridges and more water.

Yes, this must be Denmark!!

Post script-

We are safe and sound in our wonderful, temporary home on Hedebovej Road in a town we can't pronounce or spell, near Odense, Funin, Denmark.

Skaal!!