RufusTFirefly

We have almost ended up chatting with other passengers. Mrs. Fly has a special knack for carrying on long conversations with people with whom she shares no commmon language. They'll have about 10 words of one another's languages, yet she'll know their entire family's life stories after a two-hour train tripl.

suze

That's a priceless talent, for sure, Rufus!

dsm22

I have a travel/art journal. I write about my trip in it every night, and while I travel. I may write thoughts and a poem sometimes. I carry a little
glue stick in my bag and I paste little post cards, tickets and things in it.

I leave some space through out it to use my rubber stamps and other mixed media art stuff when I get home.

I write out post cards to be sent to people I know. I also send them to myself! I like having them to put in my journal or scrapbook.

I sketch and might do a funny top ten list on something I have done or seen.

On our way to Edinburgh from London I was writing and looked up for a second, and my best friend was looking at me all stupid, and I wasn't sure what he was doing. He had his wife's journal and was sketching me. Complaining all the while, "I just can't draw with a pen!" over and over again. So I drew him, drawing me.

Silly, but it was fun, and is a part of my trip, my journal and help pass the time. He gets teased everytime he picks up a pen now.

moldyhotelsaregross

Thanks for all of the great ideas!

I bought an inexpensive dvd player tonight. I would hate to damage a nice one during our travels so I was able to save some money.

It has a battery life of about 3 hours before it needs to be recharged. Is there access to electrical plugs on a train?

cybertraveler

The trains are a great way to "mingle" with the native people. I spent a wonderful train ride from Venice to Rome, just chatting with my Italian seatmate. She spoke very little English, and I spoke very little Italian, but I knew her life story by the end of the trip with the aid of the Italian/English dictionary on my palm. (Also, I improved my Italian)
You could also just catch up on your sleep, as my sister did!

L84SKY

Travel Scrabble.

moldyhotelsaregross

Topping to see if anyone knows about electricity on the train.

tcreath

I basically agree with everyone else. I love checking out the scenery, although I admit that it gets old after awhile and I start to fidget. I usually try to nap while on long train rides, but I usually bring a portable cd player, a couple of magazines and a book to help. Having conversations with others is definitely fun as well. The people we met have been great and have been from all parts the world. Its a great experience. We actually got some great advice on our trips from locals whom we met on the trains.

LOL RufusTFirefly. I think your wife and I have a few things in common!

Tracy

sandi_travelnut

I didn't read everyone's reply but bring a travel journal and get it up to date, listen to music or watch a movie, bring a deck of cards too.

Patrick

Am I the only one who travels by train with an open map and guidebook? I enjoy passing through countryside and towns and following the route on the map, also looking at a guidebook possibly to see what there is in some of those towns. That's the way I've seen many places I later decided to return to.
I understand getting bored on a plane, but I'm never bored on a train. I really enjoy the scenery, but perhaps I'm in a major minority there.

travlsolo2

Patrick - Nope, you're not the only one who does that! I do that, too! First class on German trains is especially nice because they give you the little route brochure -- it's fun to "follow along" on a map, and see where all those other towns are that the trains connect to. (good grief, my grammar) Of course, I love maps anyway -- if I find myself with nothing to read, I'll start reading a road atlas.

jcasale

I think train travel is one of the best ways to travel. Have done it many time on Amtrak and would LOVE to do Eurail one of these days. I spend alot of the time just watching the world go by. After all, that's alot of the reason for taking a train in the first place - so you can see the country rather than fly over it. I find I always bring lots of book to read and then never get to them because I'm so mesmerized by the passing scenary. Have a wonderful trip!

moldyhotelsaregross

Thanks again for all of your ideas!

I mentioned early in the post the card games we had packed. Does anyone else have suggestions for easily transportable games? My family loves them!

Surfergirl

On electricity: in the compartments, there's a shaver outlet that can be used to recharge the dvd battery. On some of the day trains (most, but not all of the Eurostar Italia and the Norwegian Signatur trains, for example), there are outlets at your seat, because a lot of people bring their laptops.

wantagig

I can't answer your games question, but I'd like to add something to the "conversation" factor. I also usually end up in a conversation with a local. Something that I bring just for those occassions are a few postcards of my town or family snapshots. When you talk of your home or extended family, having visual images really adds to the conversation.

One time a retired Italian man was on board going to visit his family. He had pictures that he was going to show them. We started talking and sharing pictures. It was fun. I'll never forget him.