"If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction."
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
That's very good advice; it's important to get on the right train in Europe, or anywhere else for that matter. That should be rule number one for any traveler. For in Europe you must get on the right train, because they really don't hang around for you to find the right carriage, or seat. All that can be sorted out later when the train is moving, provided, of course, that you get on the right one.
There is something romantic in catching trains, that get's lost when flying. Maybe it's the intrusive security circus of modern day air travel or being crammed into seats like sardines into uncomfortable seats, and the endless flight delays. Trains run on time, you don't have to go through security, don't have to worry about how much your bags weigh, and you have more room to stretch out, or have a walk down the ailse, whenever you want. You don't have to turn off all electronic devices at take off, which includes Kindles for some unknown reason. You just hop on a train, and are whisked effortlessy to your destination. It is all rather, civilised, an older more genteel form of travel, where you are reminded of great train journeys like the Orient Express to Instanbul.
The train from Grenada to Seville takes approximately 3 hours, and costs 29 Euros, although I'm sure you could get it cheaper if you booked earlier. That's the trick to catching the train in Europe - the further in advance you book the cheaper the ticket in general. In addition choose the local countries train service on their website, because you will have access to their specials. For Example Deutsche Bahn have a London to Frankfurt special for 59 Euros at the time of writing, which you must agree is very reasonable. The Eurorail is not the cheapest way to buy train tickets in Europe, at least in my limited experience. For example catching the train into or out of Germany Deutsche Bahn is the way to go, because they have special passes which are very cheap if you are frequent use of their services.
Catching a taxi in Spain is quite reasonable by Australian prices. We could of caught the bus, but a taxi is so easy, and it's one less thing to worry about. The main thing of course, is to get on the right train. Having hopped on the right train today, I just had to sit back and enjoy the ride, and look at the scenery.
The landscape is a combination of yellow grass, broken up by lines of green olive groves, a splash of white from scattered farm dwellings, a wisp of smoke from a chimney, and the rolling hills in the background. This is Andalusia. We stop at Santa Anna (pictured top of screen) for no apparent reason, the only passengers lined up were the olive trees in long lines, but they didn't seem to be in a hurry. Then we lurched off again, and are on our way.
Andalusia, a name derived from the name the Moors gave the land they conquered, Al Andalus. This Southern region was their stronghold, the place where their power was strongest, and I guess the name stuck. The chief cities are Granada, Seville, and Cordoba, but today, Seville is the capital of the region. That is where we are headed today.
The train slides into the aircraft like hangar at Seville, just about right on time. None of that anxiety of waiting to see whether your bag turns up on the carousel, and the taxis are lined up ready to whisk us to La Alameda. It seems warmer here, but not unpleasantly so, more like an early summer day in Sydney. Five minutes later we are at our destination.
No Problema.
Travel information:
Rail Europe - http://www.raileurope.com
Al Andalus - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Andalus
Deutsche Bahn - http://www.bahn.com
Travel Tips:
Catch the train
Take Dietrich Bonhoeffer's wise advice, and get on the right train.
"Think Global, and act local" - check the local train service first.
Book early, book often.
