A train journey that tested us 29 July 2024
What a mess. This train ride was incredibly stressful — and honestly: I wouldn't wish something like that on anyone.
But it all started off so nicely. We had one last cozy evening with Mum at Anke and Thomas's place. There was flammkuchen and other delicious treats, we sat together, chatted, laughed — a fitting end to our time in Germany. Johanna picked up her car from us, and then Thomas kindly drove us to Mannheim station in the middle of the night.
But that's where the adventure began. Due to construction work, our booked connection suddenly wasn't possible as planned. Our train was rerouted, and we had to spontaneously change trains in Heidelberg — with my mother in tow, who isn't getting any younger. At least we'd managed to reduce our luggage to three suitcases and two rucksacks with provisions — it was doable, but exhausting.
When we finally got on a night train that was supposed to take us all the way to Hamburg without changing, a weight lifted off us. Spending a quiet night on the train sounded like a gift. But the relief only lasted until the next morning.
We arrived in Hamburg at seven o'clock — and I have to say: this station is absolute chaos. Masses of people, noise, hectic energy. And right in the middle of it all, my mother, ready to dash through the corridors. I'd thought 40 minutes for a connection was plenty of time — but with everything else, including finding our way and coordinating, it ended up being pretty tight.
From Hamburg we headed to Padborg. We had to change trains again there — and then it was various trains zigzagging across Jutland all the way up to Aalborg. Fortunately we were travelling first class, which made the journey a bit more relaxed. But eventually we were just tired.
And then — as if to put a fitting full stop on this whole chapter — there was track work in Denmark too. Beyond a certain point we couldn't go any further. Instead, we were loaded into buses and driven through half of Vendsyssel. In the end, we simply didn't have the energy to wait for the next train. So we took a taxi — and after over 17 hours of travel time, we finally got home.
Completely shattered, but also a little bit proud that we'd managed it all.
Now it's time to: arrive, take a breath — and hopefully not get on a train again for a while.
