I'm switching it up a bit! It is 6:00 pm and I just arrived to my hostel, ALONE! Such an interesting feeling. I can already tell I will love Munich!
I was bored on my train, plane, and bus so I wrote half of my blog for the day of my journey from Copenhagen to Munich! As you will read, I wrote a lot! Feel free not to read it all...
As i dreaded putting on my backpack again for the first time in longer than 2 weeks, I really had no reason to. It felt as light as a feather because I left a pair of shoes and a few pairs of pants and long sleeve shirts at Marikes. This is amazing because it will definitely make the trip easier. Although, I told her I may have to leave her some things of mine because I have absolutely no clue how I will get everything home. Whoops. Live and you learn. It is better to under pack than overpack.
I will see her in 3 weeks and I still had tears in my eyes hugging her as I got on the train! I know, I know. I am a baby!!
We didn't reserve a seat for me so I just sat in any chair. A man could tell i was looking around dumbfounded so he told me how to figure out the furthest you can travel without getting kicked out of your seat. He ended up sitting right across from me and we chatted the whole way to his stop, about 3 hours away from Aarhus. I had to switch around my seats here and there but all in the same vicinity. His name was Tom and he took 2 weeks off of work and was traveling Germany, Denmark, and Norway. He has been all around the world traveling so it was great to hear new insights.
We ended up getting kicked out of our seats and had to sit on the ground in between train cars for a little less than an hour.
He got out his computer and showed me pictures of all of his travels.
I was telling him all about my travels and how these next few weeks on my own i am going to try to do less touristy trips and see more of the beautiful landscapes each of the countries has to offer. He then told me about a little town in Slovenia which is in the foothills of the alps with beautiful lakes, castles, and caves. He really recommended it so when I get to Munich I am going to look into taking a bus there for a few days! Well see.
That is the awesome part about traveling alone. You are so much more open to meeting and talking to new people and also look much more welcoming to talk to.
Tom's stop was up so we said our goodbyes and I went to find myself a seat on the train. Just when I opened up my book and got comfortable, many people started grabbing their bags and looked as if they were about to get off.
I have learned that the trains in Denmark aren't really tourist friendly. Aka they make it as complicated as they can when you are buying tickets and they don't speak in English on the train. I can't imagine how lost I always look. I asked Marike what they will say for my stop and she said it would be obvious because it is the last stop.
Well when I saw that many people were getting up I had a weird feeling. I asked a couple with big suitcases that were standing up, if they were going to the airport. They said yes and that the train was going to the airport but not our train car so we had to switch! SO CONFUSING. I asked them if they wouldn't mind if I just followed them. They were very sweet and spoke English extremely well.
We got on the other train car and they started speaking in Danish over the loud speaker and everyone began moaning. The couple told me that the doors are broken and if I am in a rush I can get on another train or just wait 15 min. Thank goodness I was not in a rush and I told them I was sticking with them and doing whatever they were. They said if I stick with them long enough I can travel to the UK with them. Very nice couple!
I am a smarty and brought carrots, apples, nuts and candy for lunch so I can treat myself to a delicious German dinner tonight. (Instead of spending all my money on horrible fast food in the airport).
I have only seen Copenhagen from outside of a train window and it looks very nice. I am very glad I will be back exploring the city with Marike and Maren.
Everything went smoothly checking my bag in. I didn't have to go chasing my bag around the airport because I didn't put a luggage tag on it, like I did in Bergen.
I made my way to security and the line was so long. I was glad I still had about an hour and a half until my plane left. A man pulled me to the side and asked if I was alone. I said yes and he moved over the gate for me to squeeze by to a line with just 2 people. I think it was the extra security line because they were pretty strict but it was a breeze and I made it to my gate with more than enough time (enough time to writ this post). There are a couple of perks about traveling alone that make it pretty worth it so far!
The plane ride was easy peasy. No one sat next to me which was great so I could spread out a little. It was a treat taking SAS so I could get free water and coffee, unlike Norwegian (who scams every cent out of you). I suppose SAS is pricier so it probably would even out at the end of the day.
I have realized the biggest hassle traveling for me has been having a time I had to meet people either at the airport or train station. Since I don't have Internet it makes it really hard if you aren't there when you tell them.
So it was great landing in Munich! I had no train or bus to catch and no one who was waiting one me who I couldn't get ahold of.
I stopped and got some more free coffee and just took my time getting to the baggage claim. To make things even better, my bag was the 3rd bag out! I never have faith when it comes to that!
I was just following the bus sign through the airport, hoping it wod take me to a bus that goes downtown Munich. On my way out the door I heard "Allison D Lorenz please come to the information desk". This day had been going so well and this is all I need. My heart dropped and I immediately felt for my wallet, thinking that's the only way they would know my middle initial. It was in my purse so I just made my way to the desk. I told them my name and they pointed to a man in a Spain shirt and said he was looking for me. Naturally, I was a little creeped out. I asked to see the name before I went to talk to him and it said "Allison Delawrence".
O my goodness! It could not have sounded anymore like my name. Phew
I followed the bus signs again and walked outside and instantly began sweating. It is 32 C/90 F. I hopped on a bus for a few euro to take me to the main central train station.
I will write tonight! Off to explore Munich!
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