transportation

Oh, where to start? I am finally figuring out how to decipher the train and bus schedules in languages I don't know. I am finding most people working at train stations (ticket counters and information stations) speak English.  Busses are a hit and miss. I am at least learning the name for bus station and train station.

I was on a bus in France and trying to say the word for train station - GARE.  Having just spent time in Germany, I found I was trying to put a German accent on the word and was getting nowhere with the driver, who did not speak English. I finally had to resort to holding up my arm like I was pulling a cord and said choo choo. She got it! Thank goodness for universal signs and sounds.

Many of the smaller train stations have only a few tracks and their train schedule is posted (including the platform number), so you just wait by your track/platform for your train. Many of the bigger stations, don't have their schedules posted. They keep you in the big waiting area. There is a big board with all the departing train info. 20 mins. before your scheduled departure, the platform number will come up and you can go through the door to your platform.

I am finding that I can recognize by sight the name of the town or stop I want, but have absolutely no idea how to say it. And being unfamiliar with the area, I have no idea what the station or stop should look like, so I am constantly checking the board or sign where it is posted. Yes, I still very much feel like a tourist, but I know that is to be expected when you are going from place to place so quickly.