Tell me about your train trips?
Oct 14th, 2004, 07:57 AM
#21
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Agree with Hulagirl about the bullet trains in Japan. Or any of the limited expresses there, not just the shinkansens. Took a train called "Seagull Express" to Nagasaki which had beautiful little reversible tables and comfy seats. Love the young ladies selling beverages down the aisles - I never get a bow and smile like that at Starbucks!
Oct 14th, 2004, 10:15 AM
#22
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I've done a number of trips in Canada and in Europe, but two of them stand out as particularly memorable.
1: Travelled on the night train from Toronto to New York City MANY years ago with a friend. We were both teenage girls and behaved accordingly. My grandmother had packed some food for us, so we were well-supplied with sandwiches and other goodies. The train was packed, we were a bit slow getting on board, and there were actually no available seats by the time we struggled aboard. Luckily we found a couch in the ladies' powder room and stretched out on that, for the night. The conductor came by to check our tickets and we gave him a sandwich. He commented that after years of working the trains, this was the first time he had ever been given a sandwich in the ladies' room.
2: Went across the country with my 4 young kids, my cousin, and her family, from Toronto to Jasper, Alberta. The scenery going through the prairies wasn't all that interesting, but as we got into the foothills of the Rockies it was suddenly stunningly beautiful. My cousin and I were glued to the windows, saying "Wow! That is #%^$#$ gorgeous! Holy #%$$##!!" Her husband cracked us up, saying "You two should write a travelogue."
1: Travelled on the night train from Toronto to New York City MANY years ago with a friend. We were both teenage girls and behaved accordingly. My grandmother had packed some food for us, so we were well-supplied with sandwiches and other goodies. The train was packed, we were a bit slow getting on board, and there were actually no available seats by the time we struggled aboard. Luckily we found a couch in the ladies' powder room and stretched out on that, for the night. The conductor came by to check our tickets and we gave him a sandwich. He commented that after years of working the trains, this was the first time he had ever been given a sandwich in the ladies' room.
2: Went across the country with my 4 young kids, my cousin, and her family, from Toronto to Jasper, Alberta. The scenery going through the prairies wasn't all that interesting, but as we got into the foothills of the Rockies it was suddenly stunningly beautiful. My cousin and I were glued to the windows, saying "Wow! That is #%^$#$ gorgeous! Holy #%$$##!!" Her husband cracked us up, saying "You two should write a travelogue."
Oct 14th, 2004, 01:22 PM
#23
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Two families of 5 and 4, we drove south from SF and parked our cars in Calexico and walked across the border to Mexicali.
Boarded a train that took us through Mexico, stopping in order of memory, not geography : Juanajuato, Guadalajara, Mexico City and more.
This particular train stopped EVERYwhere. In the middle of the jungle, we stopped several times to allow sellers of fruit and exotic birds to board. In the middle of the desert, we stopped to allow sellers of woven goods to board. It was amazing that this train would stop seemingly anywhere. Multiple times. Add cars, subtract cars. You name it.
We later learned that we had boarded the wrong train, of course! With one spanish-speaker in our group, this was the most harmless of errors made during the trip.
At night, somewhere(?), we stopped at a train station for about 20 minutes and went out and returned with Coca-Colas. An American man who was traveling alone saw our Cokes and went out to get one for himself. Well, the train left the station without him. We felt so bad for him! We had never conversed and figured that he would eventually meet up with his baggage (or not) further down the line. A lesson for all.
On the return trip, we boarded the correct train and our stops were minimal. Would you believe that in looking back, we were all glad that we endured that first train?
Toured the pyramids, saw the mummies. Two of nine got Montezuma's revenge.
Spent Christmas in Mexico City with the kids lighting triangle-shaped firecrackers. (returned home, and what did we find in the kids' suitcases?)
We bought onyx art, a marble chess set, and hand-blown glass mini-sets of animals, tea sets, everything you could imagine.
Buying a christmas tree was not possible, so we made a "christmas tree" using tinsel safety-pinned to the curtain over the window at the end of the hallway in the hotel.
Witnessed the deeply religious locals "walking" to the church on their knees, their pants torn and knees bleeding, while holding rosary beads. What devotion!
Attended midnight mass in Mexico City.
It was a trip to remember for a lifetime.
Boarded a train that took us through Mexico, stopping in order of memory, not geography : Juanajuato, Guadalajara, Mexico City and more.
This particular train stopped EVERYwhere. In the middle of the jungle, we stopped several times to allow sellers of fruit and exotic birds to board. In the middle of the desert, we stopped to allow sellers of woven goods to board. It was amazing that this train would stop seemingly anywhere. Multiple times. Add cars, subtract cars. You name it.
We later learned that we had boarded the wrong train, of course! With one spanish-speaker in our group, this was the most harmless of errors made during the trip.
At night, somewhere(?), we stopped at a train station for about 20 minutes and went out and returned with Coca-Colas. An American man who was traveling alone saw our Cokes and went out to get one for himself. Well, the train left the station without him. We felt so bad for him! We had never conversed and figured that he would eventually meet up with his baggage (or not) further down the line. A lesson for all.
On the return trip, we boarded the correct train and our stops were minimal. Would you believe that in looking back, we were all glad that we endured that first train?
Toured the pyramids, saw the mummies. Two of nine got Montezuma's revenge.
Spent Christmas in Mexico City with the kids lighting triangle-shaped firecrackers. (returned home, and what did we find in the kids' suitcases?)
We bought onyx art, a marble chess set, and hand-blown glass mini-sets of animals, tea sets, everything you could imagine.
Buying a christmas tree was not possible, so we made a "christmas tree" using tinsel safety-pinned to the curtain over the window at the end of the hallway in the hotel.
Witnessed the deeply religious locals "walking" to the church on their knees, their pants torn and knees bleeding, while holding rosary beads. What devotion!
Attended midnight mass in Mexico City.
It was a trip to remember for a lifetime.
Oct 15th, 2004, 12:23 PM
#24
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Wow! So many great train rides and so little time. When I started this thread I was just curious. Now, if anyone would care to help, I need some more specific info.
Has anyone done the Copper Canyon trip without going through a tour operator? We always prefer to make our own itinerary. I'm just wondering how difficult that would be. Thanks!
Has anyone done the Copper Canyon trip without going through a tour operator? We always prefer to make our own itinerary. I'm just wondering how difficult that would be. Thanks!
Oct 15th, 2004, 02:15 PM
#25
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I have took a train all across the USA and it was an interesting experience. I had the room with the pull down bed and my own bathroom with a shower. The best part was eating in the dining car, I sat with different people each night and we had so much fun. I loved the grits that they served for breakfast and at night I would sit in the viewing car and sip an after dinner drink. It was so much fun.
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