A summer journey is a great idea of Föhr’s North Sea Island, I thought. I can shut down my news feed and forget about all wars, about Donald Trump, far-flung populistism and desolate state of German infrastructure. Once I make it in the fox, I can sit on the beach all day, get out of the sea and relax.
I booked a good hotel and decided to take a morning train directly from Berlin, which is a small city on the coast to Dezbul, from where departs to the island of Ghat. It would be a comfortable and environmentally friendly, which will begin to visit the Vaden Sea with my girlfriend. Either we thought.
We should have known better. Of course, we have heard, for example, that Switzerland – where all 98% of all trains run properly on time – have stopped allowing trains to cross the border from Germany which is notorious unattainable. Only 62% are at the time. Now, travelers coming from Germany have to convert to Swiss trains in basal, as our neighbor does not disrupt traffic flow in the south.
However, on our journey towards north, everything was fine. First.
Our train left Berlin on time, and we got away as a lemon. In this small town of Northern Frisia, the train is separated into two parts: the first journey on Sylt, the party island for the rich. The second one goes directly to Dadzbul with his Pheri Ghat. Theoretical.
Before we approached Nambul, it was announced there: “Today, the entire train is going into the silt. Whoever wants to go to the foh, should get into the lime and take the regional train to the dejbul.”
This is fine, we thought, it will not complete our plans. Of course, it was not right to get our suitcase from the fast train and disappointingly on a congested regional train as to how we imagined our start.
There was no information about the reasons for this change in the schedule, but we were unfit. We have been accused of fighting with unexpected changes in Dutash Bahn’s journey programs and timetables. There are a lot of stories about trains that have been broken, turned back or have been delayed for hours, for which no one seems to be responsible.
Finally on föhr
While we eventually reached Föhr, everything we expected. We were amazed in the sea.
Even the fact is that most pubs, bars and restaurants only accept cash payments and no credit card was only a problem for some international tourists. But we all know that Germany needs a little more time to catch with the world on technological development. We remember that former German Chanman Angela Merkel told us in 2013 that the Internet was “Neauland” (“unwanted region”). It is just one of the major industrial countries of the world.
Railways are perfect fit in this picture. For decades, about 33,500 kilometers (20.800 mi) track was invested very little. Bridges, switches and signal boxes are now dilapidated or ancient.
After some wonderful days on Föhr, we work on our return journey, resting well. Then, we were determined to take “direct train” from Dzzbul to Berlin.
There was a training for us on stage. However, Deja Wu: It was not a fast train that we expected, but a slow train for Niebul. Local people told us that it was like this for a long time due to lack of employees. The direct train of the capital is not originally present now. It is still at the timetable, but what does a timetable mean for Deutsche Bahn?
Sheep
In our journey, not for a long time, another announcement was made: a train traveling ahead had a flock of sheep standing on the tracks. We were told that a railway emergency officer, a shepherd, a hunter and other officials were “on their way” for the accident scene. No further details were further upcoming. According to the train driver, local authorities who could have more information were not available, misfortune.
Our train conductor took the initiative and called the conductor of the train involved in the accident in front of us on his mobile. It is gymnastics that the track cleaned the bees.
However, we were not allowed to continue our journey. Even our assistant conductor did not know. “I am going to do something that I have never done before in my long career with Railways,” he said and began to distribute the gift voucher. “Maybe you will find a bouquet of flowers,” he said. “Dutush sister says sorry” was printed on the voucher. We were impressed.
From Hamburg to Berlin
Then the next blow came: Because the delay was so long, the train was “suspended” in Hamburg. A good way to say: The train ends here. We were one of the lucky people, waiting to take us to the capital to find a fast Intercity Express. Other passengers were not so lucky.
“I will complete with you,” our informative train conductor ventured. “We are not allowed to continue our journey because we have all crossed our work hours,” Heer said. We wondered what a replacement employee was for such an emergency. “There used to be there, but no more,” what answer.
More and more railway employees are resigning, ready with growing anger and frustration of passengers. Many people say that no longer wants to work for the company that is running itself in the ground.
Finally, four hours later than the plan, we reached Berlin.
From 1 August, it is worse. One of the main rail routes in Germany, Hamburg is about to close completely, from Berlin. The comprehensive building is ready to start on the work line, which is 280 kilometers (174 mi) long and reaches 30,000 passengers every day. It is going to take nine months. During that time, long distance trains will have to travel 100 kilometers. But if the journey is smooth later, we will all feel that this is the word.
Talk about August 1: The goal of the railway company is to send our apology gifts till then. But it may have a little delay.
I think next time, we will travel to Fohar by car.
This article was original in German.
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