The Trains To Spain

 

12:45 pm

I'm on the 7.5 hours train to Barcelona via Narbonne in southeast France.

The weather has turned, the sky now gray and cloudy. We all slept in this morning.

I showered around 10 am, enjoyed a croissant, indulged in another pastry, champagne, and white chocolate mousse, and sipped hot chocolate.

Would life ever be so tasty at home?

Checked e-mail, packed up, and was driven to Gare St. Jean by Magali and Seb, the former whose driving resembles that of a Formula-1 race car driver.

They both helped me collect my ticket, and saw me to the proper coach, number 14, seat 48.

While not a TGV, it is a clean, comfortable, and spacious train.

Passing vineyards, the region is beautiful. I will be back to Bordeaux, and France, for sure.

 

4:42 pm

My first train was delayed 20-30 minutes so I missed my Barcelona connection in Narbonne.

I have one hour and forty-minute wait, plus another changeover. I'll be arriving at 11 pm instead of 8 pm.

Hopefully, the hostel has a 24-hour reception.

 

7:36 pm

Left Narbonne at 6:18 pm and am speeding in a southerly direction, the darkness obscuring any potential views of the Pyrenees mountains separating France and Spain.

Finished the second of four ham and cheese sandwiches Magali's mom had made for my journey, and ” Dark Star Safari.”

Theroux was robbed in Jo'burg at the end, and suffering from intestinal parasites for months after his return home.

He seemed to struggle with the ending of his trip the same way I am.

 

8:52 pm

Off and running on the so far bumpy train to Barcelona, two hours further south!