flying pizza - early train

One of the first thoughts this morning: I wonder if something will happen today that could be the basis for a story. One must pay close attention to discover the small and big stories.

In the sunny city of Vienna, after breakfast, we take a detour with our loaded bikes on our way to Vienna Hauptbahnhof. The train does not depart until 13:15, so we have plenty of time for some sunshine, Belvedere, and coffee.

We had a good laugh about the guest at the train station restaurant. We sit in the outdoor area and drink coffee. He is eating a pizza, which obviously also attracts the interest of several wasps. With a sudden movement, he wants to spoil the fun for the unwelcome "guests" and drive them away. The piece of pizza that he had on his fork flies in a high arc and lands exactly on the neighboring table. Everyone laughs and enjoys the clever trick. The wasps are not bothered at all, so such actions are unnecessary.

Since our spot is in the shade and the wind blows a little cold around the corner, we decide to pay and head into the train station building 45 minutes before departure to see if the platform is easily accessible with the bikes. We stand in front of the large boards with the departure times, and 13:15 is not even listed, it only goes up to 13:00.

Petra would have liked to sit down again and observe people, but no, Mario stands up and studies the large digital display board. No idea why.

During his study, he discovers that a train is going to Hamburg Altona. Via Passau. At 12:55. With the name ICE 90. What a coincidence! That's the same name as our train: Haha.

Mario goes to the information counter with our tickets to inquire. "Oh, he's gone!" is not the answer you want to hear when asking about the train that you have reserved seats for yourself and the bikes with a lot of effort. "Oh, no, it departs at 12:55 from platform 6 - Have a good trip." OK, platform 6 is easily accessible and we still have 15 minutes until departure. Riding the escalator with fully loaded bikes is always an experience. Once we reach the top, we see our train already with the doors open at the platform. Fortunately, the car for us and the bikes is right at the entrance. We get our bikes and luggage inside, find our seats, and everything is good. It is widely known that a train can be delayed - but I have never experienced an ICE departing 20 minutes earlier. The train departs and we glide closer and further away from the Danube towards Passau. Once we arrive there, we retrieve our car from the parking garage and make our way to our vacation home in the Bavarian Forest, where the second part of our vacation takes place."