Night Trains

 Now, those who read our blog know we have written about trains before. Mostly Russian trains since that is where all our experience is so far. Well, Russian trains can't quite compare to the night train we took to Poland. We bought our tickets just two days before the actual trip (problem number 1). All the "couchettes" or beds were sold out, so we had to purchase seats. We hoped and prayed that we would have a little room, maybe a few open seats to stretch out...Not quite. We even got to share our little cabin with a small dog.

For the trip, we were in a cabin similar in size to a Harry Potter train cabin. Seats facing each other with a sliding door. And a hallway. For the first hour we had six people in our little cabin. Full enough we decided...Then, three more guys came along with their backpacks. Don't forget, this is true backpacker season for Europe, so picture eight people and all their luggage crammed into a little cabin. Not a good place to sleep from 10:30 pm - 6:30 am.

No one really slept good. I think finally at 4:00 am, we were all so tired that we fell asleep for two hours or so. I took this picture at about 6. Can you sleep sitting up? I find it very difficult. 

Knees touching and everything.

So, to explain the picture below, for the first four hours of the trip, a few people went to sleep in the hallway. I almost did, just because by 2 o'clock, all I could think about was laying down! But, it never happened. Because at 2 am, about 15 more travelers got on our carriage (that was already full by the way) and had to sleep, sit, lay in the hallway with their luggage for four hours. UGH. So, this little hallway was full! Could hardly get to the bathroom. I'm not really sure why they sold more tickets than they had seats...

Here is a young guy sleeping on his backpack, right outside our little cabin. I was amazed that he could sleep perched on it, holding his phone with one hand. 

Lesson of the day? Don't complain about the Russian 3rd class trains. At least we had a bed.