Oh well, I'm not going to waste any time.
I left Munich this morning about 10:30. Since it's Saturday, the subway was pretty much empty, and I was able to get to the Train Station without any problems. Except I passed my stop. I gave myself lots of time just in case something like this happens, but I always panic when things like that happen. I had thoughts of going in a continuous loop from subway to subway trying to get back on course.
Then I took a deep breath, pulled out my subway map, and went to plan A1 and 3/4 - Get on another train. Why is that so difficult?
Okay, I'm on the right train and barreling toward the Train Station, and I get there with 1.5 hours to spare - Need my coffee - find a Starbucks -SCORE! Free wifi, and hot coffee and a bagel - life is looking sweeter and sweeter.
Now, the Train Station has its own set of rules. First, I bought my ticket online, and it only came with minimal information. So, I needed to know if I had all the paperwork necessary. Do I validate? Do I check in luggage? What? So many questions. Fortunately, there is an information booth in the station, and you can have all your questions answered in several languages. Whew!
Another thing I wanted to be certain of was whether I understood the ticket. Since it was in German, I didn't want to make any mistakes. When you read the details, you see something like this:
Datum: 13.06; Zeit ab 10:28; Gleis 18; Produkte ICE 598; Reservierung - 1 Sitzplatz, Wg. 2 Pl. 12, 1 Fenster - YIKES, right?
Translation: Date Jun 13; Time about 10:28; Gate or Terminal 18; Train Service ICE 598: Reservation: 1 Seat, Car #2, Seat #12 Window - YIKES!
It makes sense logically, but it pays to make sure.
So, I get to the station, check my Terminal (the train info hasn't been put up yet, but my expectation is that I will be leaving from Terminal #18 at 10:28 am. Solid!
I go have my breakfast, then come back to check the terminal, and they've changed the Terminal to another place. Panic again, take a deep breath, calm down. Go to new terminal, check and make sure it's the same train, etc., and YES - it's my train.
10:15 rolls around and everyone starts lining up in the Terminal waiting for the train. I look over at another train and realize they all have the number 1 & 2 on them - no car number in sight. Panic again, take a deep breath, calm down, turn to the fellow next to me, and ask if speaks English. YAY! He does - in fact he tells me he speaks German, English, Spanish, etc. - I really don't care, because I am still in somewhat panic mode. (The numbers 1 & 2 represent 1st and 2nd class on the side of the car - I think?)
I ask if he understands the car numbering system. He says, "No." That did not help at all - no matter how many languages he spoke. Damn him!
The train pulls in, and I still don't have my answer, so as it pulls in I look a little closer at the cars as they pass, and low and behold, the cars have a little train painted near the door and each one is numbered - YAY!!!! I am now very happy, and I yell to the the multi-linguist, "They have a number near the door!" I hope he understood me - Damn Him!
Okay, so I am way down on the other end and the car closest to me is #2. I am supposed to be car #12 - the train is leaving in a few minutes, and I have to lug my bags all the way to the other end of the train - those suckers are long (or maybe it's just that I had to lug luggage???).
I finally get in my car and get settled in my seat, and in walk about a dozen teen aged French kids - I did say "teenage" - and all that implies. They were boisterous, and that's putting it mildly. I couldn't yell, "Get Off My Lawn" - so I put on my ear phones, turned up my music, and...
Oh wow, the landscape was simply beautiful. We went from completely flat to rolling green hills, villages, lakes, rivers, you name it. It would have been wonderful to drive through the countryside and visit all those quaint little towns and villages we were rushing past, but maybe another day. The route was truly scenic and completely lovely from start to finish.
Time for more panic. I took one train from Munich (this one) to Stuttgart. In Stuttgart, I had to get off this train and board another train at another platform, and I had 8 minutes to do that. All train stations do not look alike but fortunately, Stuttgart looked a lot like Munich. I quickly got out of the train, went to the front, found the appropriate terminal, checked the train number (it was there waiting for me), and then lugged my luggage all the way over to the appropriate car. One minute later we were out of the station. JEEEEZ - you don't have a lot of wiggle room, but the teenagers magically disappeared.
Now this train went from Stuttgart to Karlsruhe, and it would only be a half hour trip, so I didn't relax, because I had to jump off of this train and then go and find my next one.
(When I finally was able to get wifi here in the hotel, I had a message waiting for me from the Train people that my last train might be problematic. It's a good thing I didn't get that message while in transit - talk about panic!)
Well, I am now a seasoned train traveling veteran in Germany. We arrived at Karlsruhe, I jump out of the train, rush over and down into the terminal to find my next terminal. I spot it, run towards it and up some stairs (carrying all my luggage), and then find the appropriate train, car, and seat. WHEW! With seconds to spare, and then we're off again. I had 6 minutes to maneuver that transition.
Finally, I am on my way to Baden Baden.
Baden Baden train station is not in Baden Baden - it is way on the other side of town, and you literally have to take a bus to get to the town. I read that on TripAdvisor (thank you TripAdvisor gods!).
When I got to the Baden Baden station, I hunted for the 201 Bus, found it, paid my 2,70 Euros, and here I am.
The hotel reservation desk is not situated in the same place where the hotel is. You have to go to the restaurant which they also own and register there. So, I found the hotel, then I went to the cafe and got registered (only a short walk away). Room is great, breakfast is included, wifi works without a hitch. I think I'm going to be okay.
Now, I am really hungry and thirsty. And for those of you who on FB, I hope you can now see why I needed that LARGE beer and that big plate of pasta!!!!!!
A "God bless you" made me another friend today, too. A very nice young lady from Amsterdam sneezed, and I blessed her, and we talked for the next 45 minutes. You really can't be shy when you travel, and it's wonderful to meet new people and hear their stories.
Oh, Baden Baden - It's like Disney World for adults - everyone here is wealthy or aspiring to be wealthy, and the place is neat, clean, and pretty. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. Meanwhile, I need to get ready for breakfast tomorrow.
Enjoy:
Like I said, pretty, huh.
Take care and have a wonderful Sunday.
Steve
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