Tropical Koblenz

The train ride home from Berlin was one of the most miserable so far. Everyone was uncomfortable, dirty, and exhausted from a late-night pub crawl. I heard more than once people complaining that they just wanted to be home. No one was looking forward to a 10 hour train ride.

I should have known then. We were all too desperate to get home. Too exhausted to stay awake. Too grumpy to be with one another.

Of course our train would get cancelled.

Of course a storm would tear up Europe and cause massive power outages, floods, travel cancellations.

Of course we would be stuck in a beautiful tourist destination like Koblenz, Germany.

Our train came to a halt, and thank goodness we had German speaker Emily among our group of 38. She was able to tell us some storm was coming and we had to get off the train. Despite this clear translation, there was instant chaos among our group as people searched frantically for a new train, tried to stay on the one we were one, or headed to McDonalds. (Those golden arches are seducing) However, once in the station, we realized it was bigger deal than expected. No trains were leaving until the next morning at 5 am.

Time to find somewhere to sleep. Being the brat I am, along with five others, we decided to book an incredibly cheap hotel so we could spend the night in a bed. The rest of the group decided to channel their inner homelessness and sleep on the streets, under a bridge, in McDonalds, at a 24-hour bar... where ever they could go.

Honestly, being in Europe has just taught me how to handle these issues. There's not point in rushing around like a chicken with your head cut off or looking back on what could be changed or even getting angry with someone for not helping. It's, "Okay, what can we do now to fix this." It really has me a much more laid back travel. Maybe I can channel this to my mom in April...

Our stay in Koblenz was... well, it just was. We were up and at 'em the next morning at 5 am. It was a full day (and night) of traveling, but we eventually made it back safe!