This trip was a planned visit to Troisdorf Germany with a manufacturer, prior to the unification of the European countries and my passport required visas to make the travel easier from country to country.
Bought my tickets to travel from Los Angeles to Frankfurt along with a EuRail to make it easier to catch whatever train was traveling through and stop-and-go anywhere in route; after all I’ll be on vacation after all the meetings are over.
Meetings, meetings and more meetings later and with a head full of new ideas and technical jargon left Frankfurt on the train; my idea was to leave Frankfurt, make my way to France, Spain and Portugal, travel north and eventually get to Frankfurt again to get back to the US.
As the train crossed the border from Germany into France, the French police got on board checking everyone’s passports; I did not have the required visa and was politely asked to disembark from the train. Got the luggage, my camera and got off the train.
What to do? I don’t speak French, I don’t know where I am other than at the border, and I have no idea where to get the required visa!
A blond good-looking angel appeared at my side and showed me where to get the required stamps for my passport. He guided me along with another passenger and walked a mile with luggage in tow to the government offices. Being Friday afternoon, the offices were closed and only a skeleton crew was there. We pounded on the door and eventually were received and the documents were properly stamped.
By this time the train had departed and I had to wait for the next train the following morning; where to stay? No reservations, no French currency, no idea where I was! Exchanged my German Marks and found a hostel where they gave me a bed for the night.
Next morning, I caught the train to Paris and went happily on my way. However, because of my delay at the border the train arrived in Paris at midnight and I had no transportation to Spain until the following morning. Now what? I could not sleep at the station, it’s against the rules. The station master was a Spanish fellow and we chatted about the delays. He suggested I use the bunk at the station to rest a while; the train for Spain was arriving soon and there was no reason to get a room anywhere. Here I am in Paris, sleeping in a cot at the train station, what a night!
So, I had reservations in Madrid, everything is great! I was so eager to get on the train and continue my journey that mistakenly got in the wrong cabin. Instead of my first class reserved cabin I was traveling with the transient laborers on their way to Portugal. It was the most fun I’ve had on the trip. They were singing, dancing in the isles, drinking beer and having a good time all through the day and part of the night. I shared their food, their drinks and a cabin with three other people but had the best time ever.
Arrived in Madrid and went directly to the hotel as I was eager for food, a clean shower, a clean bed and some entertainment. The rest of the trip was uneventful and boring. Got back to the US in due time and will never forget those days without thinking of all the people who made my vacation so full of laughter and friendship. Never knew any of their names, could not speak their language but we all shared an instant kinship.