Sun 24 May 2009

Travel Day Two: Trains!

I had a pleasant flight from Cincinnati to Paris. There wasn't an LCD panel in the seatback, so I wasn't tempted to watch movies. Learning Java seems to have been a good choice, especially with the Head First book. Reading it is very quick, since all I'm really after are concepts and syntax.

Charles De Gaulle airport is still huge, but I had plenty of time to walk to the train station. At the station, I made sure I could survive in France, by ordering coffee and a sandwhich. After that, I had plenty of time before my train arrived.

Some of the time I wasted learning that the TGV lounge had neither power nor wireless--both of which were promised on the signs. Then I went and kept my promises, by taking pictures of the trains.

Eventually, my trained arrived at the station, and there was quite a crowd waiting for it. I tried to sit in the cafe car, but I those seats are reserved. I found the correct seat, even though they weren't numbered sequentially. I sat facing backwards on the train. This is fine, but when we passed another train, it always came as a surprise. And two TGVs passing are loud!

I noticed that the TGV tracks are lowered between two large berms where the train passes near developed areas. I'm assuming this is because of the noise levels. I also noticed several cool-looking tall castles. I'm assuming that's because I'm in a flat part of Europe.

When I arrived in Strasbourg, I took the tram to my hotel. I like the Strasbourg tram, I think it's a good example of mass transit integrated with the public roadways. A key point is that boarding is done at curb height; this means the tram doesn't require special raised platforms.

Yesterday, each plane was bigger than the one before. Today, each train was smaller than the one before! I bet the same thing happens when I go home.

PS: Forgotten item #2--can't say for security reasons.

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