I was on the edge of my seat the entire time! The parking garage raccoon heist with seven bags and two kids was epic. This was such a delight to read, even though I know none of it was a delight to live ;)
Retroactively delightful is the best possible outcome for an experience that was actively terrible š They definitely made for great stories! The raccoon heist framing is staying. š
Oh man I laughed through this whole post! But I also shook my head because we have had very similar experiences on Italian trains also. Five children, a large stroller, 7 duffel bags, loads of backpacks, and two rolling suitcases that ALL had to be removed from the train in approx 30 seconds before the doors closed again and it left the station. SO STRESSFUL. Luckily in our case we didn't lose one of our children or any of the parents but it was still beyond hectic. Train travel IS convenient but I feel like that's only the case when you are traveling super light. No more than one manageable bag for each capable older child or adult. Any more than that and everyone loses it! So glad you guys survived the experience and now have hilarious stories to tell!
Oh my gosh, your story is harrowing and I feel it in my whole body reading it! The thirty second Italian train door situation with five children and that much luggage - PEAK stress! We're determined to convert to light packers as well - it would certainly make things easier. Something to work toward! š
Your travelogue is part comedy, part action drama, and an all too down to earth family story. Itās real, honest, and I enjoyed every word. Your writing style is truly captivating. Cheers!
I laughed out loud reading this and actually, I can relate! Last summer, I got on the wrong train car with total confidence. Turned out the "2" I was looking at was for "2nd class", not the 2nd car. When I made it to the right car, an American couple rushed on after me, throwing around all their shopping bags and arguing āĀ they'd made the same mistake, and the girlfriend made the boyfriend pay for it the whole way to Marseille... Sounds like you handled it much more nicely! :)
Glad I'm not alone on this! If they could just add the word 'classe' next to the giant 2, it would save people a lot of grief, including the Marseille boyfriend š
I felt so bad for him and wanted to tell them I made the same mistake, but then they were arguing so loudly I didnāt want the other passengers to hear me speak English and associate me with themā¦
Having traveled across the world with two kids by plane and train for many, many years, I have learned one thing (the hard way, too): Do not overpack! Even for a month-long visit we take one suitcase and one handluggage max. Each kid has a small backpack with toys and snacks and carries it too. You'll be surprised how easy it gets with less luggage. I'd rather wash on vacation than dragging the load through airports and train stations.
The lesson has been received completely and with great clarity - washing on vacation is infinitely better than what we just lived through. One suitcase - we now have a new goal!
I second this with every fiber of my being! We spent three months with all five of our kids traveling around Europe last summer and WOW we overpacked. Every single time we had to move from place to place whether via train, Uber, Taxi, or plane it was so stressful and everyone arrived utterly exhausted. Packing light is the way to go for more easeful travel for everyone.
100%. If we could just reflect back on these stressful moments when we're deciding whether to pack that extra pair of shoes, it would save us tremendous anguish š
Oh my gosh, exactly. Very hard to read the car number on the digital screen. So confusing, and the audacity with which people blithely sit in other peopleās seats can be something.
FWIW, pretty sure the huge ā2ā on the outside of the car is the class. In this case, second class. No indication of the car number.
I think that's right - mystery solved on the 2! Thank you for this. And the audacity of the seat situation is something I am still processing. France has strong feelings about reserved seats and also apparently about sitting in them regardless. š
These were wonderful stories! I laughed outloud so much! A great way to start my day. Thank you, Kamille! (Iām a piano teacher in Nebraska who also loves, usually, traveling by train in Europe.)
What a lovely combination - a piano teacher in Nebraska who loves European train travel āŗļø I'm so glad the stories made for a good morning. Thank you, Carol!
I took the TGV maybe twice my entire year over there. I must've been escorted both times since I don't remember having a navigation of train numbers like that. Perhaps in '93 the digital readouts were in much better shape. I do however remember at Charles de Gaul on arival in the country being told at the last moment that I lacked a proper document to be let in. A 'responsable' of our group bit my head off for that. As a fils unique of my family, I responded by biting her head off in return. I was incensed at the implication that my parents would've sent me over without everything necessary. And how dare she not see it herself and actually be the 'responsable'. My tantrum got me in the country vite fait. I got my head bitten off quite often over there though. I had to humble myself eventually.
I was on the edge of my seat the entire time! The parking garage raccoon heist with seven bags and two kids was epic. This was such a delight to read, even though I know none of it was a delight to live ;)
Retroactively delightful is the best possible outcome for an experience that was actively terrible š They definitely made for great stories! The raccoon heist framing is staying. š
Oh man I laughed through this whole post! But I also shook my head because we have had very similar experiences on Italian trains also. Five children, a large stroller, 7 duffel bags, loads of backpacks, and two rolling suitcases that ALL had to be removed from the train in approx 30 seconds before the doors closed again and it left the station. SO STRESSFUL. Luckily in our case we didn't lose one of our children or any of the parents but it was still beyond hectic. Train travel IS convenient but I feel like that's only the case when you are traveling super light. No more than one manageable bag for each capable older child or adult. Any more than that and everyone loses it! So glad you guys survived the experience and now have hilarious stories to tell!
Oh my gosh, your story is harrowing and I feel it in my whole body reading it! The thirty second Italian train door situation with five children and that much luggage - PEAK stress! We're determined to convert to light packers as well - it would certainly make things easier. Something to work toward! š
Your travelogue is part comedy, part action drama, and an all too down to earth family story. Itās real, honest, and I enjoyed every word. Your writing style is truly captivating. Cheers!
Thank you Mark - it felt exactly like that to live through and I'm glad that came across. Cheers right back!
I laughed out loud reading this and actually, I can relate! Last summer, I got on the wrong train car with total confidence. Turned out the "2" I was looking at was for "2nd class", not the 2nd car. When I made it to the right car, an American couple rushed on after me, throwing around all their shopping bags and arguing āĀ they'd made the same mistake, and the girlfriend made the boyfriend pay for it the whole way to Marseille... Sounds like you handled it much more nicely! :)
Glad I'm not alone on this! If they could just add the word 'classe' next to the giant 2, it would save people a lot of grief, including the Marseille boyfriend š
I felt so bad for him and wanted to tell them I made the same mistake, but then they were arguing so loudly I didnāt want the other passengers to hear me speak English and associate me with themā¦
The story keeps getting better! Gosh, the poor soul. I hope they recovered over a nice glass of wine š
Having traveled across the world with two kids by plane and train for many, many years, I have learned one thing (the hard way, too): Do not overpack! Even for a month-long visit we take one suitcase and one handluggage max. Each kid has a small backpack with toys and snacks and carries it too. You'll be surprised how easy it gets with less luggage. I'd rather wash on vacation than dragging the load through airports and train stations.
The lesson has been received completely and with great clarity - washing on vacation is infinitely better than what we just lived through. One suitcase - we now have a new goal!
I second this with every fiber of my being! We spent three months with all five of our kids traveling around Europe last summer and WOW we overpacked. Every single time we had to move from place to place whether via train, Uber, Taxi, or plane it was so stressful and everyone arrived utterly exhausted. Packing light is the way to go for more easeful travel for everyone.
100%. If we could just reflect back on these stressful moments when we're deciding whether to pack that extra pair of shoes, it would save us tremendous anguish š
Sound advice learnt the hard way.
Yes - learning by fire as they say!
Oh my gosh, exactly. Very hard to read the car number on the digital screen. So confusing, and the audacity with which people blithely sit in other peopleās seats can be something.
FWIW, pretty sure the huge ā2ā on the outside of the car is the class. In this case, second class. No indication of the car number.
I think that's right - mystery solved on the 2! Thank you for this. And the audacity of the seat situation is something I am still processing. France has strong feelings about reserved seats and also apparently about sitting in them regardless. š
So funny because I related! Pack then take out 1/4. You wonāt miss it nor have I.
Removing a quarter before leaving is exactly the kind of rule that needs to be a household policy! I will strive to implement this.
These were wonderful stories! I laughed outloud so much! A great way to start my day. Thank you, Kamille! (Iām a piano teacher in Nebraska who also loves, usually, traveling by train in Europe.)
What a lovely combination - a piano teacher in Nebraska who loves European train travel āŗļø I'm so glad the stories made for a good morning. Thank you, Carol!
I took the TGV maybe twice my entire year over there. I must've been escorted both times since I don't remember having a navigation of train numbers like that. Perhaps in '93 the digital readouts were in much better shape. I do however remember at Charles de Gaul on arival in the country being told at the last moment that I lacked a proper document to be let in. A 'responsable' of our group bit my head off for that. As a fils unique of my family, I responded by biting her head off in return. I was incensed at the implication that my parents would've sent me over without everything necessary. And how dare she not see it herself and actually be the 'responsable'. My tantrum got me in the country vite fait. I got my head bitten off quite often over there though. I had to humble myself eventually.
A challenge everywhere and apparently on every train in Europe - we are hanging in. Thank you for this!