Yesterday should have been a simple trip from Belgium to my next teaching job in Groningen in the Netherlands. Three trains - plenty of time for connections and a chance to sit in a 1st class carriage and watch the countryside change.
I was early into Antwerp - the station (above) is beautiful with lockers for left luggage so as I thought I had over an hour I went for a walk. Silly me - everything was still closed in town except the Zoo which is next to the station but I decided not to go. It was a little early for chicken and potatoes too. So I just had a croissant.
Antwerp is famed for its diamond trade and I am sure this is the only train station in the world that has a Diamond Row which is interspersed with fast food shops and diamond dealers.
Never seen this brand at home. Pity it wasn't open so I could check it out further.
Unfortunately
somewhere along the line I got a wire crossed and missed the first
connection. No problem as they run hourly and the tickets are good for
the whole day.
So
jumped on the next one and made it to Holland. The platform they sent
me to was completely closed off so I went to an info booth. I was told
to catch the one on the next platform which was leaving NOW and change
at TWY&^%&^WE%. So running with two suitcases was of
course so easy but I did make the train only to realise I had no idea where to
change trains. I just had a hastily screamed Dutch name to try and find
the soundalike. Fortunately a young girl on the train was able to help
but not before I got off at the next stop and then had to get back on
once I saw the relevant change station. All trains have two
or three steep steps to get on and off and my luggage is about 30kg at
the moment. Corridors are narrow and seats don't fit large suitcases.
Many bruised shins and ankles resulted - mostly mine.
Grafitti is always interesting to look at
Once in Groningen the flood of bicycles was endless
So another day in my glamorous exciting life.
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