Travel Day

Grüetzi from St. Gallen! Vanessa took us to the train station this morning and we boarded our train to Switzerland. We found the platform, train car, and seats with no problem. With seven minutes before our train was supposed to depart, I pulled out our Eurail Pass to fill out today's date. I read the instructions and realized that we didn't get our ticket validated at the main counter! AHH!! After three years of not traveling, I am out of train travel practice, and felt like a total rookie.

I knew I didn't have time to find the office and wait in line before our train left, so I ran outside to find the conductor. I was able to find her quickly, and explain our situation. She was nice about it and said that she would validate our ticket on the train for us. Whew. I felt better, but then she really made me sweat when she asked to see my train reservation. She asked if I had paid the tariff for going through Austria and I told her I had. She didn't believe me!

The bottom clearly says I need a stamp, on the top you can see that I didn't get it stamped!

Look lady, I might be an idiot for not validating our ticket, but at least I am an organized idiot who planned ahead and paid for everything in advance.

I showed her my ticket again with the receipt for Austria and she said "Haha you are right!"

Thanks!?

Anyway, after all that was squared away, our train ride was smooth. We checked into our hotel in SG and then walked around to get snacks and water from the grocery store and ate dinner.

So nice to be in St. Gallen again. It really is my favorite city. Even in the winter people are walking around the old town. The alley's are lit up. There are vendors on the streets. People are meeting friends for dinner. I love the hustle and bustle because it is a city with a familiar small town feel.