After disembarking from our Rome to Athens cruise on Holland America, we were headed for Bologna, Italy to catch a train through the Alps to Munich, Germany.
I had been receiving emails for two weeks about a change in the train we had booked from Bologna to Munich for October 2. It was always in German, but even with the miracle of Google Translate we were only able to determine that a change had been made, but were not certain what the change was. I checked our route on every site I could think of and in three different languages – only one of which I spoke, and it appeared that the only difference was the platform at which we would arrive. We decided we could do nothing more, and would check the train when we arrived on the 1st.
Leaving the ship with our suitcases all packed, we went to the taxi stand. The driver told us the approximate fare to the airport (which was more than a driver had told us the night before), that he would run a meter so I needn’t worry, and off we went – when I remembered to confirm whether he would take a card. His answer – “no card, only cash”. My response – “I don’t have that much cash”. Typically that means the price goes down because they prefer cash to card, but in his case he really seemed unable to take a card. I asked if he wanted to take us back and he said he had already lost his place in line. I took all of the Euros out of my wallet and showed them to him and he began saying it might cost less, depends on traffic, etc. I checked Google Maps, said, “great! Traffic looks good!”, and we continued on. When we arrived at the airport the cost with bags and tolls was 4 Euros more than I had. I dug out a 2 Euro coin and two – one dollar American bills. He was satisfied and unloaded our bags and off we went.
Check-in was straightforward at the airport. We had checked in on-line the day before. One of the things Ryan Air is known for are the extra fees for multiple little things. If you want to check-in at the airport you have to pay extra when you buy your ticket. Otherwise, if you forget or can’t check in electronically, you will pay as much as 65 Euros at the airport, but I’ll admit the line moved faster than usual.
We shared a sandwich and chips for lunch and waited for our flight to board. Even though I was a bit apprehensive about our bags and Ryan Air, all went smoothly and the 2.5 hour flight was uneventful – and I mean that literally. No events, including no snacks, no beverages, no water, no seat back pockets, no padding on the armrests, you get the idea. But the plane took off and landed safely and the toilet worked. All good!
We walked down steps from the plane to the tarmac with people deplaning from the front and the back doors. After picking up our bags, we walked through the airport and went outside to take the Marconi Express, a high speed train that goes directly and pretty cheaply direct to the Central Train Station. It was closed. Kaput. No service. Some kind of maintenance issue.
So, we walked back inside, found our way to another level for ground transportation, and got a cab. The driver did not speak English, but we “communicated” and off we went, arriving at the building across from the train station where our flat (apartment) was located. There are retail shops on the bottom with flats above.
Walking past restaurants and shops, we finally located the glass door to the flats with two lockboxes hanging on an iron gate across from the door. I had been given a code, and after several attempts was able to open the box. One key opened the glass door to a narrow hallway with two small elevators, just big enough for the two of us and our bags. We rode up to the first floor, Genny found a light switch for the dark hallway, and we found our door. Placing the second key in the lock, I turned it and turned and kept turning it until it finally opened. FOUR deadbolts!! And you can see the thickness of the door. Hmmmm…
It was a cute one bedroom flat with all we needed to sleep and get to the train station early the next morning.
I went across the street to the train station to check on our tickets for the next day and was told that because it was a German train I would have to wait until morning. That seemed a little close if there was any kind of problem, but there seemed to be no other options so I returned to the flat.
It was unusually warm for this time of year, about 10 degrees higher than usual we were told, but the flat had the European version of AC, so we turned it on and went to find dinner.
There was a guy hawking for an open air restaurant in the center courtyard who had spoken to us when we first arrived. He appeared to be in his late early 60’s, had a gray closely trimmed beard, was dressed in typical Italian dapper but informal clothing complete with an open collar white shirt, vest, and light colored hat. We spoke again as we passed back by, and a third time when we returned to eat there as it seemed our best option. We were hoping for “real food”, but the best we could do was to share a pizza and a grilled veggie salad. But both were delicious!
We took half the salad with us for the next day’s 6.5 hour train ride and got a sandwich to split to go with it. And yes, dear friend Ken, we found a gelato shop in our explorations and had a gelato for dessert! Yey Italy!!! As we walked back to the flat we passed the hawker one last time. By now we were old friends and he jabbered in Italian and English and shouted Ciao!! several times, waving enthusiastically as we walked away.
Back at the apartment, we switched off the laboring AC, opened the windows to cool down, and readied everything for the next day. It was so noisy from street activities and a nearby university that we closed the windows for sleeping. I slept on the large sofa and Genny let me have the pedastal fan and we both crashed before the sun went down.
Today was a bit of practicing flexibility and trying a few new things like Ryan Air and train station flats with four deadbolts. Even that is pretty mild for all of the things that could happen when traveling, and we are grateful for the ability to plan and prepare, the help of others in that process and those who learn English in addition to their native language – and are willing to aid us wherever we are, and most importantly the presence and protection of our Creator who provides for all of our needs – and so much more.
Tomorrow – train through the Alps to Munich! See you on the rails!