Train Czech

From Prague to Munich in one L-o-n-g Day

The last time I wrote I was on my way to Prague. I have now returned from there to Munich; it was an eventful week.

Prague is probably the most beautiful places in the world - Culture, Beer, Food, Architecture etc.

We had Pork (in some form or other) every supper - they really know how to prepare it!! Hacksen at the Pilsenerfest in Plzen, out of this world!! And yes I can the beer is still good. So is the Becherovka!

Sunday morning. I am supposed to leave Prague for Munich by bus at 09h00. However, it transpires that no bus is going to Munich at 09h00 as it is now leaving at 15h00. So, off to the train station. Mark has checked on the Internet - yes there is one at 10h00. Get to the station; ask at information; not this information; one floor down. Schlepp the suitcase...which is getting heavier!! Get there, but this guy is only allowed to give departure times not prices! Ok now to the ticket office. First problem - no-one at the counter where I have to buy my ticket. Finally find someone to help me at one of the other counters. The trick is that it's only cash. I only have CZK 1,800 (± ZAR 600) and I need precisely CZK 1894. Now...OK...no problem! I'll go and draw some from the "Kitsbank". It's broken, so off I go to find another up one floor. Nothing. Down again. Still schlepping the suitcase up and down with me. Eventually find one stuck in a corner at the Information stand where I got my Departure times. Armed with my CZK 2,000 I make my way to ticket office 16. Tell the guy my story in English. He struggles for 15 minutes and eventually issues a ticket and now it is only CZK 1,600. Bloody hell - I could have made that! Just get the ticket, get some food at the little kiosk, get on the train and work out where to change trains. This train is like 3rd class (SA standards) but, hey, it's rolling and it is going in the right direction!

From my ticket it looks like change-overs at Plzen, Cheb, Marktredwitz, Augsburg and Nuernberg before getting to Munich. I was about to get off at Plzen when this Czech couple say to me that this train goes to Cheb, so stay. OK - cool - one less change-over!! Get to Cheb, with about 600 Germans, swigging beer. Real Louts! Now we have a bout 45 minutes before the train departs for Markredwitz. Off to the toilet where this really friendly Czech lady (not!) says "PAY"! So I pay my 3 crowns and now have to wait in the queue as there are only 2 urinals working!! For a "No. 2" you pay more than for a "No. 1". I think that would have been 10 Crowns. On my way out of the toilet the same lady tries to get another 3 Crowns off me, and I just lay into her in German and she decides that she might have another German invasion on her hands...and retreats into the hokkie!! Now I quickly needed to change the CZK 500 that I now had too much and then head back to the platform from where the train was supposed to depart.

About 20 minutes before departure, two small carriages roll up. More like S-Bahn carriages. I think to myself: "Get on there before there's no space". Picture 600 German louts packed into a train made for 200. I decide to post myself at the door!! Mistake, I should have taken any spare seat!!! Eventually there are so many people in this carriage, that I can't even straighten my legs as I was being forced from all sides. It is about as cosy and uncomfortable as a sardine can. Calcutta trains can't even be this full. Now we have about as many people on board as can be. Suitcases piled on top of each other. You can't even fall over!!! And now the Passport control wants to get on as well!!!! Never mind the ticket conductor!! What a joke. When we eventually fall out of the "carnage" on the other side of the German border, the border control tries to check passports. Two guys and 600 Louts falling from the train!!! Good luck to them! Fortunately I was the 3rd person off the train. Totally exhausted and feeling the strain of people squeezed into my private space for 45 minutes, I am now rather tired and head to the next train to Augsburg. Wow - I got a seat between two smoking compartments! But, hey, it is a seat. Some others were not so lucky!!

Without much upheaval I catch the train to Augsburg to Nuremberg, and then the ICE to Munich. I eventually arrive in Munich at 18h20, buy the newspaper and head for the S-Bahn. As I get to the bottom of the stairs, the train rolls out! So now I have to wait 20 minutes for the next one to Starnberg. Little did I know that this particular train stops there...and I actually need to go one station further. Eventually the driver of the train comes out and gives me the "I announced that this train only goes to Starnberg" crap!!! Too tired to argue with this dude, I retreat and get to Roland & Sylvia's place at about 20h00!! Now I have been schlepping my case up and down staircases chasing trains all day!!!

Aaaah - Roland has a cold beer and soon all my problems are past!!

Now for the next chapter.....