Europe diaries — The train to Hogwarts
At times when you’re traveling, you meet some people unexpectedly and have the most wonderful time that you still remember the feeling even though you’re continents apart from them. Sadly, that time also passes like the speed of a bullet train. Well, that was what we were in. What surprises me more is that is where I’ve only met them. On the train to Verona via Venice.
It was my 2nd day in Europe and it was my last day in Vienna. I had a train from Wien Hbf to Padova (train station near Venice). Since it was my first train ride alone there, I reached station 2.5 hours before the departure. Later in the trip, I understood that if you’re taking a train, reaching half an hour before is enough. As it is a train station, there were no decent waiting rooms. Also, you cannot leave things unattended as we have all heard about the thefts there.
With so much spare time and nothing to do, I thought of just observing people( sounds weird). I sat under the largest schedule chart and everyone stopped there to look at the chart giving me ample time to judge them. I checked out their fashion sense. What color clothes go better with what, which hair color could be my next experiment, what would look good on Hazel( my dog), etc. You can see a lot of different styles at an international train station as people from all over the world are there.
After passing 2 hours concluding my new outfits and hair color, I moved to the platform where the train to Verona was departing. For those who don’t know, Verona is famous for being the setting of the love story Romeo and Juliet. The train came early but it was not like the Indian trains that have Ranchi — New Delhi written in the center of the compartments. But, it had its serial number written on the door. For first fifteen minutes, I thought my train would come after this one depart. But as time passed by, I started getting suspicious as the train was not departing. Then, I started asking around if this was the train to Verona. It was kind of difficult to do because not everyone there understands English. Eventually I found someone who understood my question and said, “Ja” which means Yes in german. Gladly, taking german coursework in undergrad finally paid off from which I remember few words. I got on the train with a smirk thinking of what could have happened if else.
The compartment of the train was looking exactly like the Hogwarts train from Harry Potter. It had an aisle on one side with long windows from which you could see the Dementors if they come. For each coach, there was a sliding door and inside there were 6 recliner seats with overhead luggage compartments and some space also under the seat.
As soon as I entered, I was greeted with smile by 4 people. I really was hoping that I don’t get old people or family with children. But I was a little relieved that I got them. Didn’t show that to them though. They were all on a trip to somewhere. Anna and Karole were from Vienna itself and were going to Rome eventually to attend an Italian singer’s concert but they had two extra days. So, they planned to spend some time in Verona. Mila was from South Africa and was also on a Backpacking trip across Europe as me. Manav was an Indian origin guy but has lived in England all his life. So, I got a sense of comfort as I was not seeing any Indians by that time.
Indians travel to Europe is via a tour company. They see a lot of monuments but spent most of the time traveling in the tour company’s bus. So, it is very unlikely to see any Indian on the train to Verona as I don’t think it’s included in packages. Also, with Indians always being the value for money people, I don’t think so that they include places like Verona or Amalfi Coast (Positano, Sorrento, etc) in their plans. Off topic, I personally think everyone should go to Amalfi coast once in life when they are young. It’s best in the summer. You don’t know what you’re missing until you randomly just walk in Positano.
Back to story, I was settling down and was trying to keep my luggage which was a big suitcase. Since I was last one to enter the coach, they have already kept their suitcases. I couldn’t find a lot of space at first until Anna and Karole re-adjusted their bags to make some room for mine. And then I sat down on my seat. Karole was in front of me. Then we all started talking.
Mila and Manav were into books and novels they started talking about some of the interesting books which I am still not aware of. Then we started talking about random topics like Verona, how much time should I spend in Venice. Mila gave me her itinerary to get a reference. Karole and Anna have been to Verona before and they like it a lot. After a while, we started talking about food and different cuisines. They told me to try Aperol Spritz when in Italy. I took out Khakhra (A Gujarati cracker) out of my bag to let them try some Indian food. During my last trip, I learnt from two Rajasthani about they used save money in the trips which I didn’t. They brought food which can be preserved for 2–3 weeks like Thepla ( a Gujarati dish), Khakhra, etc. And they saved a lot of money by just using them. I kept them as if I don’t get to eat anything. Could’ve happened or not but I didn’t knew. I later gave some of them to Viola ( my friend in Geneva) and rest I ate with Carmen and Hannah in Zurich. I also let Carmen and Hannah taste Kurkure Masala Munch( Indian snack) which they found very spicy. Back to the story, all of them like the Khakhras and how different was it from what they eat.
Me and Mila didn’t had sims by that time. So, we wanted someone’s hotspot just after entering the train (GenZs). It was just few minutes and Mila took a photo of us and posted with all the other photos she was going to post. I was a little shocked (not in a bad way).
After a while, I started telling them about how I was relating this train to Harry Potter and how badly I wanted to make a video of this train with them acting as they were in the movie. They all got excited and nervous for acting. But we all agreed. I took out my GoPro and started setting it for the video. Meanwhile, they all were deciding what they will do. And then, we were ready. That video will forever be our secret because it came out too funny and we can’t post it anywhere. Just a glimpse, I came in the coach and they all have their hoodies’ cover on and they were all eating Khakhra. Will forever be a memory to me. We laughed a lot after seeing that. And we also knew that even how many re-takes we do, we are not going to do any better.
At dinner time, Karole and Anna brought food from home. I don’t remember what Mila and Manav did. Maybe they didn’t have dinner or something. I was hungry but I also wanted to eat something in that train for experience. But I was also a little nervous as I don’t know Italian language and how do I ask them for food. Jabba Jabba could’ve worked maybe. But then I asked if anyone of them is willing to come with me to get the food and Karole said, “Helll yeahh”. She ate her dinner and stood up to go. She was standing outside holding the door as I was getting money out of my bag. I got the money and started walking towards the door. Something funny happened. Someone asked me something to which I replied, “yes”. Meanwhile, Karo asked me, “Is the pantry on the right?” which I didn’t hear but she thought yes to her question. When I got out, she started walking towards the right side. I thought that she is from here and she knows the trains here. We started walking towards (as we thought) the pantry. Between two compartments, they were doors which were stuck. Some were easy but some where very hard to open and we gave all that we had. After 2–3 compartments, Karo started getting suspicious. She said, “Is it really this side?”. To which I replied, “How would I know?”. I can see some annoyance coming on her face which I didn’t have a clue. “You told me that it was right.” she said. “When?” I replied with some confusion. “When you were coming out of the coach, I asked you.” she said. I thought at that moment, I am going to see “Wrath of Karole” and was scared but she gave a “I forgive you this time” smile. We reached the end of the train but we didn’t find the pantry. Then we started walking back. There were no words spoken for some compartments but some looks were given. The looks were like, “If I hadn’t had dinner by now, I would’ve eaten you instead” (just kidding, she is very sweet). After some compartment, we were chill again after pushing the doors with some team effort.
At last, we reached the pantry. I told her that I can’t eat beef as I follow Hinduism. She talked to the guy and got me a wrap. We went back to compartment smiling and laughing about the incident that happened. I ate the wrap. It was not the best but the efforts that was put behind it made it taste more than I would have enjoyed a good meal in India.
Now, Mila was feeling sleepy because she didn’t sleep last night. And we were all planning how will be sleep at night because the seats were just recliners and nobody can sleep in that uncomfortable low-quality recliners. Someone coined that we should merge the recliners and keep our feet in other persons seat and we can manage to sleep. We tried to merge and it worked. At first, we were all a little shy about what if my socks are smelling, etc. But 15 minutes later, we were all pushing each other and keeping our heads on others’ feet. LOL. I wouldn’t say that we would’ve done that any other day but we were all young, dumb and broke.
My stop was one stop before them. I didn’t want to wake anyone but I didn’t want to drop my suitcase on anyone’s face. Karole woke up and helped me with the bags. But when I was leaving, everyone woke up. They gave me a hug, and asked about the plans to know if we are crossing paths in near future. And then I left.
I will meet them one day for sure. All of them. Maybe on the train to Verona. But this time, I will also go with you guys. Mila, Karole and Anna have become good friends now. We are still connected BeReal and see others BeReal everyday.
