Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site rlgvax.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!seismo!rlgvax!tom From: tom@rlgvax.UUCP Newsgroups: net.railroad Subject: Re: Getting Around Overseas Message-ID: <704@rlgvax.UUCP> Date: Thu, 23-Jun-83 21:52:00 EDT Article-I.D.: rlgvax.704 Posted: Thu Jun 23 21:52:00 1983 Date-Received: Fri, 24-Jun-83 14:30:13 EDT References: decvax.116 <329@syteka.UUCP> Organization: RLG Corp., Reston, VA Lines: 34 From my experiences I agree that the trains in Europe are generally punctual and that Italian trains are certainly the exception. Italian trains are almost always crowded, too, much more so than in the rest of Europe. The Italians also have a funny habit (watch for it when you go over there): whenever the train pulls into a station, everybody sitting down in the compartments feels obligated to get up, go out and stand in the hall!!! This makes for a very difficult time getting on or off and even finding a seat (which of these empty seats are occupied?). I also found that one had to be cautious when travelling in Italy by train on a Friday. At least that summer, the railroad workers had the most curious habit of going on strike Friday afternoon and then resolving their differences and coming back to work Monday afternoon! But by no means let this discourage you from Italian trains. Trains in general, and Italian ones in particular, are probably the greatest place to meet the natives in a genuine and friendly atmosphere. They'll share their food with you (EVERYONE brown-bags it on the trains) and be very sociable. Also, the fact that you have time to kill makes people more patient in overcoming the language barrier. BTW, the only time I had a problem with the trains was Switzerland, who pride themselves on their punctuality and accuracy. We had reservations for the train and for a sleeping compartment (couchette). Well, when we got to the station, we found TWO trains on adjacent tracks, leaving for our destination 3 minutes apart. We checked with the conductors and found that our train reservations were for train A and the couchette reservations were for train B! Apparently, at a later stop the two trains swapped some cars with each other and only one went on to the destination. I'm still not sure how it was resolved. Vive la difference! Tom Beres, CCI Office Systems Group {nee RLG Corp} {seismo, allegra, mcnc, brl-bmd, we13}!rlgvax!tom