Thoughts from the Train

June 22, 2009

The time now is 1530, I have been riding the rails for about 7 hours now. Its really given me a long time to think, and all that I can think about is my sisters text/e-mail she sent me. " we're at swisschallete for fathers day dinnner, im having a salad. like always. and a shirly temple. and i relized how much i miss you. no one will eat my cherry =( . . . .just wanted to let you know. =) hope france is going well! Love you!" and how I'm off in the big scary world ALONE. Right now it’s kind of scary, but I know I will have a blast and that once I get out and keep my mind busy it will be ok. But that is really hard when your sitting on a train waiting to get to that place that will keep you busy. I have another 4 hours left before I arrive in Vienna, Austria from Utrecht, Holland. Before now I have been hanging out with Pip and her family and friends so I have really felt alone. I know I can get through the next 10 days, but it feels like a daunting task.
Alex I'm sorry I didn't reply but I REALLY MISS YOU TOO!!!!

On the brighter side the country side at 200km/h is really nice! Whether I'm in Germany, or Austria right now I have no idea. There isn't exactly "Welcome to Germany" or "Welcome to Austria" signs on the tracks.

On Saturday, I met Pip and Christal at the Utrecht Train station and we went to Pip's friends house where we would stay for that night and last night. Christal's other friend from Denmark was to meet us there. That night we Tried to drive into Amsterdam. I use tried not because we got lost, but because the only weekend we were there they decide to shut down the highway for maintenance. Anyways we went home and tried it again in the morning. This time we took the train, and Pip was suppose to meet us in Amsterdam but was meeting a few friends instead so it was just the 3 of us. Amsterdam was fun we took a canal cruise, learnt about some of the house's, toured the Anne Frank House, and walked through the infamous Red Light District, which was more eerie then Paris' because in Amsterdam Prostitution is Legal, and although smoking weed is not, it is "tolerated" so prostitutes and weed everywhere.
And as before see Paris for the clarification.

I am only in Vienna until the 25 where I train it to Venice on the Friday (26) and then train to Rome on the Sunday (28), until July 1 then Night train to Zurich to arrive on the 2nd and fly home home on the 3rd :)

I love traveling, but its just a little overwhelming alone, so I do wish I had a close friend or family member with. But it will be ok, this is a historical and soul searching trip, and already I feel like a better person, and a stronger person because of it!