The Train
I said goodbye and thanks to Mary and Craig. At the station Craig helped me to find the right train to Olten and off I went. I had a good window seat without needing a reservation, and on the second train in a slightly more comfortable car my reservation put me by a window but with a wall blocking part of my view. But it didn’t matter because I spent much of the three hour ride to Frankfurt sitting in the dining car. I ordered a pork medallion dish with sweet potato which came in a cardboard box but was hot and delicious with wooden disposable knife, fork and spoon. I ate slowly, gradually drinking my huge coke, but when the waiter seemed to be impatient I ordered another meal of curry wurst and continued to eat slowly and look out the large window. I left the train very full indeed. The dining car wasn’t crowded. I had noticed that many people had brought their food with them and were eating in their seats, picnicking as they rode. There was a car that had room for baby strollers and tables for children to draw on. The food in the dining car, with wide choice, wasn’t expensive as it is in an airport. The ride was very smooth even at 155 km an hour. It is such a civilized way to travel.
Outside the Swiss stone villages whirled by and then gave way to the German red tile roofs. There were hills and valleys until the flatness of Germany, but it was all interesting and the six hour trip to Frankfurt seemed much shorter. Changing trains in Olten and then Frankfurt was so easy, both times on the same platform.
Margit met me on the platform and drove me from Aschaffenburg to Dorothee’s home in Schollbrunn, almost an hour’s journey, where another meal awaited me, ham and onion quiche, also delicious, but I could only fit in one piece. Dorothee had arranged for me to stay in a rented room adjoining her house with a small bedroom, small kitchen and big bathroom, much nicer than a hotel room. I felt at home.
BILLYBABA’S WANDERING 