Mit Amtrak von Vancouver nach Tacoma

We continued to Tacoma by Amtrak train, a little adventure in itself. It took us 6 hours to travel 300 km and we had to check in at the station 1 hour before departure (5.30 a.m.). First, we filled out entry documents for the USA and then had our train tickets checked and assigned seats, followed by passport control and finally boarding with luggage check-in.

During the journey, it was strictly ensured that everyone sat where they had a seat assignment and did not temporarily enjoy the peace or view from another seat. After about 1 hour, the border control arrived; 4 officers rapidly went through the train, only counting the passports. The entry documents were collected quickly and no one was interested in our fruit. We had eaten beforehand, as the import of fruit and such is strictly prohibited. This time it was not a problem.

The journey was very diverse, with new guests constantly boarding the train and being grouped together again after boarding, with their assigned seat cards. Great care was taken to ensure that in a four-person compartment with three passengers, the fourth seat was not occupied by jackets or bags.

When traveling from Vancouver to Seattle or Tacoma, it is best to sit on the right side of the train to see the coast. For our stop in Tacoma, it was announced in advance: the doors will open between the 4th and 5th cars. Only a few passengers got off the train. By the time we got our suitcases, there was no one left at the station or outside, neither taxi nor bus nor person. All that was missing was a dry grass bush rolling across the forecourt. After a short wait at the bus stop, a taxi arrived and took us to the hotel. It was very cheap, $5. It was a real bargain, even our 28 kg suitcases were lifted in and out by the former postal worker who is now a taxi driver. Probably the only one in Tacoma, as we never saw another taxi again. Unfortunately, the desolation and lack of people, cafes, shops, or restaurants persisted in Tacoma. It has an industrial character and if we weren't attending the conference here, we would not stay.