Arrival in Zurich
We arrive late in Zurich. My grogginess seems perfectly matched with the overcast weather. I miss my connection. A Swiss agent helps me re-route myself. She tells me to spend the day in Zurich, enjoy the city. I look out the window and see raindrops. I´m thinking of Spanish sunshine. I go on.
Zurich - Geneve
The elderly Swiss man looks big-eyed out the train window, his head bopping to the sights: fog lifting out of valleys, water cascading down rocks, birds encircling tree lines, families emerging from chatlets. Hairs stem from his ears, an oversized cargo jacket engulfs his frail body, and a red plaid cap covers his forehead. He watches out the window with all the delight of a school child. This can´t be the first time he´s taken this train. Maybe he fears he won´t have so many opportunities more? Next to him a young woman sleeps.
There´s a big car show in Geneve today. That´s why the train is crowded, the woman next to me says. She gets off at the next stop. I use the car show as an ice breaker for the rest of the ride. ¨Are you going to the car show?¨ Nearly everyone is.
Geneve - Lyon, France
The woman in Zurich who re-routed me on this train insisted that my Eurail pass would not be valid on this train. ¨¨It´s overbooked,¨´ she insisted. I could buy a full-fare ticket, she explained, which would get me on the train, and I could try sitting or standing in between cars. The conductor could tell me where to stand. I feared a cattle car. Walking onto the train platform, I noticed the train was hardly half full. I explained my situation to the conductor, showing him my Eurail pass and the full-fare ticket I had to buy. He checked the train´s roster and cheerfully walked me to one of many free seats. If only he´d cheerfully walk me back to get a refund on the full-fare ticket.
Train Tip: Riding the trains in France and Spain is different than in Germany, Switzerland or Austria, I’ve learned. Almost all trains in France and Spain require a seat reservation for Rail Pass holders. Unlike in other countries where you can hop on and off trains at will, most all French and Spanish trains require either an individual seat ticket or a seat reservation, for Rail Pass holders. Book in advance. These space reservations for Rail Pass holders are sometimes limited.
Tags: France, reservations, Switzerland
