'It felt like I was in a Marx Brothers movie,' author recalls of their train journey.
I took my first train in Italy years ago, and it was a harrowing experience. The announcements were incomprehensible, and the platform changed not once, not twice, but multiple times. I was left scrambling with my luggage, hoping to find the right track. It was chaotic, and it felt like the Marx Brothers had come to life. Little did I know, this was just the beginning of my Italian train adventure.
Fast-forward to my recent journey from Verona to Rome, and I was expecting a relatively smooth ride. The Italian trains are famous for their high speeds, but nothing else about them is slick. From incomprehensible announcements to last-minute changes in logistics, my train journey was a testament to the old-fashioned ways that still plague Italy's rail network.
I'd planned to travel lightly, but my suitcase had gained several kilos over the course of three weeks in Italy. I'd packed it with books and art supplies, making it heavier than when I started in Australia. The Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (Italian Railway Network) website proved to be a lifesaver, giving me live updates on the arrivals and departures at most Italian stations.
But things didn't go exactly as planned. My train arrived a couple of minutes late on platform 4, and I was relieved to see that it was the right train. However, the real challenge began when I got on the train.
The Italo train that I was on had three steps, and my suitcase and carry-on luggage made it difficult to climb up. Some fellow passengers had larger cases, but they were traveling in pairs. I managed to get my bags into the carriage without tearing a rotator cuff, but it was an effort.
The carriage didn't feel air-conditioned, and the temperature outside was in the mid-30s. It was not a peaceful ride. The hand luggage was scattered everywhere, including in the aisle, and the good-natured attendants didn't seem to mind. They tried to maneuver their trolley around it to serve the complimentary coffee and snacks.
Despite the beautiful scenery, I was relieved when we pulled into Rome Termini. But getting my luggage off was another challenge all together. Two hefty guys stood behind me while I tried to get it down the stairs, but even though I was blocking the exit, they just stood there. I had to partly push it off, thanking the stars that I hadn't bought any Murano glass while in Venice.
There are a couple of things that I wish I had known before my train journey. One, travel light, but if that's not possible, don't take a train journey at the end of your trip. Two, don't expect help. And three, take the train with the least steps.