Oh the Places You’ll Go! … On the Train

Taking the train. Get ready for the adventure.

I’m a big time advocate for public transportation.

Taking the train and the bus to work is just so easy for so many reasons, like:

1. it’s green
2. it saves money
3. I can read
4. I can sleep
5. I can learn a new language, and
6. it’s always an adventure.

The same applies for riding the train in Eastern Europe, which is how we traveled on our honeymoon. We visited nine countries on our honeymoon and we did most of that on the train.

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It’s green

We did, in fact, reduce our carbon footprint by using the train. But, what I mean by green is this:

Green! View from the train in Bosnia. View from the train in Serbia.

Eastern Europe is so green! And blue and the colors of the rainbow. The first photo was taken in Slovenia, which has breathtaking scenery. It’s so peaceful having the window seat and just being able to gaze outside for hours.

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It saves money

Taking the train really does save money. It’s cheaper than renting a car or flying on a plane. Our train ride from Prague to Vienna for 2 people was approximately $90.00 USD.

I can read

Riding a train frees my hands and my eyes to read my favorite book Oh the Places You’ll Go! and my second favorite book Cosmo. I also get to write about our travels. Trains provide downtime to remember trip and to really think about everything we’ve liked, disliked and learned.

I can learn a new language

The reality is that everyone is taking the train in Eastern Europe. So, I’ve eavesdropped on the languages I’ve been learning. All you German, Spanish and French speakers, I’m listening to your gossip. Don’t feel bad, though. One time, in Taiwan, a girl stared directly at my face without flinching as I spoke. I guess that was her way of learning English…or I had bok choy in my teeth.

But, learning a new language goes beyond listening to people. It’s about adapting to the train’s language. Trains in Eastern Europe have been known for not being on time. For whatever reason, they tend to roll in ten to fifteen minutes late (sometimes longer). It’s not all the time, but it seems to be accepted if the train is late.

I can’t tell you how much that really annoyed us, but it happened and that means learning to adapt and plan according to potential tardiness.

I can sleep

Truth be told, I can’t sleep. But, I’m mighty jealous of the people who can…like my husband. Homeboy can nod off anywhere. So if you can sleep, and if you like sleeping, then the train may just be your thing.

It’s always an adventure

Riding on the train in our hometown of Los Angeles is always an adventure. I’ve been solicited to buy a gold chain on the train, to buy weed, watched a bar brawl that somehow made it to the metro, watched a budding artist serenade the entire train car and watched a guy hopped up on (maybe) LSD wield a blunt metal object at none other than himself.

Riding the train in Eastern Europe isn’t as “exciting” as it is in LA, but it is an adventure. Like the train ride we took from Sarajevo to Mostar, Bosnia and everyone (I can promise you, everyone) smoked. It’s like we were riding in a chimney. Oh how we coughed and coughed and did this (see the first 10 seconds) to no avail. Instead of putting out their cigarettes, we were offered a smoke. So, maybe our “cough and choke” plan didn’t work and when we exited the train, my hair smelled like Vegas, but that’s all part of the adventure. And it just makes the beautiful scenery and the relaxing atmosphere all the more interesting. These are the adventures of train travel in Eastern Europe.

Share your train travel adventures! Has your hair ever smelled like Vegas? 

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