27.5.2010: I've Got a Ticket to Ride

Written 5/27/2010 on the train from Frankfurt to Paris.


So here I am on the train to Paris.

I'm actually kinda scared.

And just realized that I have been using the word "so" to start sentences way too much lately.

So.

I knew that my German was decent enough to get me through.

But my French is no where near where my German is.

I've only had French for two years.

Think about where I was when I had only taken German for two years.

I don't think I could have gotten around Munich on my own at that time.

But still. I'm a little worried that I might have a "petite problème" mit meinem Französisch.


I've been on the train most of the day today. At least it feels like it. First I decided to go to Köln and Bonn. I would have been better off if I had just decided to go to Köln, since I didn't make to Bonn anyways, but more on that later.

I did get up later than I planned, but earlier than I have been the last couple of days! The 10:10 train to Köln was going to be five minutes late, which was perfect timing for me. The train had reached our destination by 11:40 and I was in the Kölner Dom by noon.

To say the least, I think I'm getting much better at this whole on-my-own-getting-around thing. It's simple really. All it takes is a lot of reading. And a whole lot of going around in circles.

But Köln was über easy though- all I had to do is follow the big crowd heading out of the Hauptbahnhof. Besides, pending further research, I think the Dom is the main attraction to the city. But since I wasn't there for very long, I really don't know.

After walking through the Dom, I continued to follow the crowd down Hohestrasse. It was lined with shops from all sorts- like an outdoor mall. Luckily the weather was pretty good, and I think I even got sun burnt a bit. Had a Döner for lunch, bought my first city bag (you know the ones, they have the city name on them, super cute and you see them all over the place).

Now Bonn comes into play. I thought that I would have enough time to visit the old capital of West Germany. But once I had gotten on the train that would have taken me there, I did the math of the time.... I would be late for my train to Paris. Therefore I had to get off at the next stop and turn around. I can say that I have been to the Köln Süd Bahnhof.

I'm learning that the train isn't as simple as sit down and relax. Even though it may not be required to reserve a seat, many people do. Yes, I sat in someone else's seat and I'm still not sure I know how to tell on an ICE train, which are reserved and which are not.
Went back to Frankfurt-hostel to pick up my luggage, got on the free wi-fi one last time, then headed out to catch my TGV train to Paris. The TGV is France's version of Germany's ICE trains. Fast, and few stops.


And I have to say- I AM SO GLAD I RESERVED A SEAT ON THIS TRAIN!

It is über packed and four hours long.

I thought I was going to have it good- a window seat and many seats around me free. However, at the next stop, many people got on and now the train is over flowing. I would not want to be standing.

I LOVE SEATS! YAY RESERVATIONS!

Now it's starting to rain, but the country side is still beautiful.

Ended: 6:20pm 5/27/2010 (On train from Frankfurt to Paris)