Adventures on the EuroRail
This is a continuation of "The Magic Mug" and "The Magic Cruise." Check 'em out sometimes, but this story should work without the backstory.
This story takes place in Europe, but is written by a stupid American who didn't do any research. If you're an American, you probably won't notice. If you're European and think "that's not how trains here work," just let it reinforce the Stupid American stereotype.
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"Look at those mountains!" Dave says as the train rolls down the track.
"They're so tall," Tina smiles in response.
The married couple is a couple hours into their train tour of Europe. The Italian Alps surround the train for the first leg of their vacation. Over the next ten days, they've scheduled a few stops in major cities, and intentionally taken the less-direct train routes so they can see the countryside. European trains are a much better way to travel than AmTrak back home. Cheaper, faster, and more convenient. Their plans take them West to Spain, France, Germany, and back to Italy where they started. They have to share a stateroom, but their travel agent said they would make sure it was a couple they would get along with. Dave imagined it was like how they matched roommates in college.
"So you like the train?" Tina asks. He's just smiling like an idiot looking out the window.
"Yes, thank you," Dave answers sheepishly. EuroRail is actually a great way to see a lot of the region, but he knows his wife went with the train idea for him.
"Do you want to go explore the train?" Tina asks.
"Sure."
They get up from their seats and head towards the front of the train. They're in the last car, so there's nowhere else to go. Tina opens the door and they hear the roar of the wheels outside. The short walkway between cars isn't covered, and only has chain handrails on either side. 'The crazy Europeans do this all the time' Dave thinks to himself, but it's a little scary. Tina dashes across the gap between cars, and Dave follows.
"We made it!" she cheers. He raises his hands in victory.
"We're probably going to have to do that a lot, so we should get used to it."
The next car is the shower & restroom car. Everything seems neat and clean. Way better than a Grayhoud bus restroom. They can't help but compare everything to its American counterpart. Showering on a moving vehicle should be interesting, they'll deal with that in the morning. There's a fairly large compartment in this car labeled "water heater."
"That's neat. The train makes its own hot water," Dave says.
"I guess it would have to?" Tina adds.
"Yeah, I just never thought about it."
They risk death again. (meaning they move through another door into the next car) The third car from the end of the train is the dining car. A vending machine of snacks and bottled drinks flank the doors on either end. An array of tables and chairs line the extra-long car, arranged around a bar against one wall. A sign posts meal and bartender hours for group C.
"Are we group C?" Dave asks his wife.
She pulls her ticket out of her purse. "Yep. Group C."
There are two other couples in the dining car. Both are older, and don't look very friendly. They grab some snacks and drinks and have a seat by the window.
"So how long are we in the mountains?" Tina asks.
"Not too much longer I think." Dave pulls his phone out to look at the map. "No service. But I saved an image of the route. We just passed Florence, and are heading to Genoa. Genoa is on the coast, so we should be able to see the ocean soon. After Genoa we move inland and head for the France-Spain border."
The Andersons relax in the dining car for about a half-hour until they see the ocean.
"Is the Mediterranean Sea an ocean?" Dave asks.
"What counts as an ocean," Tina asks back.
"I'm sure there's something about depth, and what ships can sail on it."
"You can't see to the other side, so I think it's an ocean."
"Good answer."
Theu enjoy the view of the sea for a bit longer before the door to the next car opens. In steps a tall man in a formal tux.
"Gerald!" they both call out.
"It's the Andersons!" he responds in his bold British baritone. "It's wonderful to see you both again. I hope you're enjoying your vacation so far."
"We just got started, but it's been great, I reply to him. "Is this a Magical Adventures Unlimited train?"
Gerald waves his finger at Dave. "Spoilers."
He announces to everyone in the dining car "We will be stopping to pick up a few more passengers in Genoa, then making our way West. Once our new friends join us, all your luggage will be delivered to your staterooms, at which time they will be available. Until then, your rooms are still being prepared. You are free to return to your home car, but your room will be locked for just a bit. Until then we will have special drink service in a moment. Please make yourselves at home, and thank you for joining us."
Gerald exits the door he came from, and is replaced with another man in uniform. This one they don't recognize. He steps behind the bar and unlocks a few cabinets. "Who wants a drink?" he calls out excitedly. Tina orders a glass of wine and Dave takes a strange Euro beer. They head back to their home car with their drinks and flop on the couch. This car isn't as big as the others. Just the couch, a few chairs, and our stateroom. It's nice and cozy, and will make a good home-away-from-home for the next several days.
The scenery changes as they approach Geneoa. The train zips past a few small towns, then slows as they near the center of the city. The train comes to a stop at the Geneoa EuroRail station. A few people disembark. The door to the Andersons' car opens and enter a young couple. With just a carry-on bag each, they step into the car and introduce themselves.
"Hey, how ya doin'?" the woman says in a strong Australian accent. "I'm Sally. This is my husband, Alex." They both reach out to shake hands.
"I'm Tina."
"I'm Dave."
"It's great to meet you," Tina say to them.
"You too," Sally says."
The Andersons sit back down on the couch, and their new friends slide chairs to face them so they can chat.
"So where ya'll from?" Alex asks.
"Arizona, United States," Dave answers him.
Sally gestures to the both of them, "Sydney, Australia."
"Would you believe our Google Assistant voice is Australian that we named Sally?"
She laughs. "Oh, I need to hear that." Dave opens his phone and enters a random city nearby.
Electronic Sally begins, "Head North on Madrid street for three miles," the AI Aussie voice says.
The new friends giggle, "what's a mile," Alex jokingly asks.
"Yeah, Americans are afraid of the metric system" Dave says.
He puts his phone away. Gerald enters the car, joined by two other men carrying luggage. Dave and Tina recognize their suitcases. They assume the others belong to their new friends.
"Luggage for the Andersons and the Wallabys," one man says.
"We're the Andersons," Dave confirm.
"I guess we're the Wallaby's" Alex adds.
The baggage handlers leave the car. "Your stateroom is now ready. We have one more delivery for the Wallabys that a representative will be bringing by shortly. Then we will be on our way.
Gerald leaves the car, and Alex turns to Dave. "For the record, we're not really the Wallabys. EuroRail lets you pick a name for privacy. I figured that we can't help but be obviously Aussie. Might as well lean into it."
"Well we're actually the Andersons. We probably read very American."
"Ya do a bit, hun," Sally says. "So what brings you to Italy?"
"Just a vacation. We like to travel. Tina, here, is a world traveler. She's been to China and Peru. I've never left North America, so we thought a European train tour would be fun. Plus I like trains. So we left our kid at home with the dogs and came here."
"Oh, very nice," Sally says. "We're on vacation too. Alex just finished his masters degree and is starting a new job in Melbourne this fall, so we wanted to get away before we had to move cross country."
"Cool, cool," I say. "Any family at home?"
"That's actually kind of why we're here. New job, new paycheck. It's time to start a family. So we're on vacation, but have no plans. We rented a villa in Barcelona for a week."
Sally continues, "so we're just going to enjoy the beach, and fuck all week, and see what happens."
"That sounds like an awesome vacation," Tina says.
"Should we check into the room?" Alex suggests. They all stand and head to the stateroom. Their keys were left on our bags. Dave takes his and opens the room. THey all enter and survey their living arrangements for the next day. It's bigger than the cabin on the cruise ship, but similar in design. Each wall has two fold-out beds.
"Girls on top!" Sally screams. They're more accustomed to train sleeping arrangements. Alex and Dave fold down the beds. Two sets of bunk beds open up, Tina's and Sally's with ladders.
"Well...you're more excited about climbing than I am, but this will work," Tina says. They guys bring in the bags and find a place along the wall to store them. Tina look out the large window. In the train station, the window looks out into a brick wall. But it should be a nice way to watch the scenery once on the move again. The window has a ledge that would serve as an emergency exit if needed.
They hear a knock on the door. The four return to the common area of the car. They meet another familiar face.
"Hello folks. I'm looking for Alex and Sally Wallaby."
"That's us," they say.
"My name is Faye. I'm from Magical Adventures Unlimited, and I have a special gift for you." She steps toward Sally and hands them a small package wrapped in a dark velvet bag. "Normally I would stay and tell you all about it. Unfortunately your train is about to depart, and I have other deliveries to make. And I'm sure if you have any questions, your new friends here can help."
Faye smiles at everyone and leaves out the back door. Dave looks at Tina puzzled. "We're the last car, right?"
