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-   -   polish railways (https://tpunk.com/showthread.php?t=444)

kerouacscabbie 09-04-2003 06:21 PM

hallo,

well, here i am in katowice, but i'm supposed to be in brno, czech rep. i got on the wrong train in wroclaw. the train i was supposed to be on left early from the track that the the train i got on left from (if that makes since). who ever heard of a trai leaving early and everywhere else i've ever been someone is checking tickets as you get on or shortly there after, not three hours later. so, about an hour into the ride i had this feeling i was on the wrong train and i went and found some official looking people, they got a big laugh out of the silly american, but i was laughing right along with them.

they looked in there big books and decided i should get off in catwice and catch another train in the morning, cool problem solved, not. an hour later this really official looking dude comes along and is checking tickets, he looks at mine and looks really pissed. two polish people in the cab spoke english and began translateing for me, the jist of his speil was i had to pay more money if i wanted to ride all the way to catowice. well being a cab driver the first thing out of my mouth was a few words you wouldn't use when granny is around. we argue for a few minutes, i tell him i have no more money, he says you gotta get off at the next stop. ya whatever. i knew the next stop was in the middle of nowhere and if i made it to catowice i could get another train or bus in the morning. so, i ride the train to catowice.

whoops, let me back track, when the official looking dude came around and told me to get off at the next stop he had this younger guy with him, who was one of the original people who told me to go to catowice. he just stood there the whole time not saying a word, just actin busy looking in some book. so two stops later the head official dude gets off the train and his little lackey was walking though the train as i stood in the hall and smoked, he gave me this look that i knew implied, 'hey that guys a dick, but he is my boss, and i'm glad you stayed on the train.' i felt relieved, because i had told the really official guy that if he had a problem with me riding to catowice he could through me from the moving train.

the young dude was standing at the door when i got off in catowice, not a word, just that shit eatin grin. so, here i am in the catowice rail station, thank god they have a twenty four hour internet cafe in the station. i'm here till morning then on to brno. if i had gotten off where the really official looking dude wanted i would of had to back track to wroclaw, and wait for the next train to brno, 10:30 tommorrow night, but now i'll be there about three or four in the afternoon.

so my advice, i always have to give some, screw the officials, do what you know is right; or just start by getting on the right train whaich in europe can leave an hour early or an hour late.

travelpunk 09-05-2003 08:35 AM

Way to stand your ground, KC!
I don´t think I would have thought about the whole "I´ll be in the middle of nowhere, I might as well ride on to the city further down the stretch. It´s further, but it´s bigger and I can catch a bus or train the next morning without a problem." I probably would have gotten off at the next stop, then try to take the next train in the direction that I just came from (Wroclaw)and would probably wait it out till 10:30pm the next nite. Very clever of you, I must say.
Thanks for the story. I will always remember this strategy from now on, should I get on the wrong train, bus, boat, plane, in the middle of nowhere ;) .

Hope you catch the right one next time :D

kerouacscabbie 09-05-2003 12:44 PM

ya, i finally made it on the right train. and by then i musta looked like a train wreck because the train guy let me sit in first class with no arguement or questions. i just saw those big cozy seats and plopped down. and the guy came and got me when my stop came to make sure i got off in the right place, he was really cool. but the next train they booted me when i tried the first class thing again. next time i'm takin the bus, brno to bratslava in about three days, i need rest and refueling. the bus is more my white trash style anyway, who cares if they don't let you smoke. its always more fun to me, and you get to see alot more of innercities.

travelpunk 09-06-2003 08:06 AM

Free "self-bump" to first class :lol: :D I love it! Even if only for a bit. Those seats rock!
I took the bus once from Lagos Portugal to Sevilla. It was quite speedy, I must say, and darted through the little towns like there was no tomorrow. I personally prefer the comfort that the trains have to offer, bathrooms included, but the bus was just fine. However, if it had been a jam packed bus, I might be singing a different tune :mellow: .


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