2021 - September - Enjoying train travel, thanks to Mr. Weselsky.

'Enjoy your ride to the fullest'. What a statement when you're packed tightly in a train!

By the way, this quote is not from me, but from our train attendant in the overcrowded Metronom from Hamburg to Bremen. We used the train to get to our first stage of the heath hike to Buchholz.

However, many other passengers just wanted to get somewhere. Because the German Railways is currently on strike, which means that at least 3/4 of the planned train connections have been cancelled.

The small union of train drivers (GDL), led by the affable Mr. Weselsky, is currently engaged in a intense power struggle with the Railways. I have cursed Mr. Weselsky myself and I know quite a few people who wish him all sorts of things.

However, Metronom is not a company of the Railways, but like Flixtrain, for example, a competitor. So everything runs according to schedule here and I guess all these companies are rolling with laughter. It has never been easier to steal passengers from the Railways. However, the standard of the trains is usually lower than that of the German Railways.

The atmosphere in the Metronom was really excellent despite everything. It was a bit like in the old days, before Corona, at a street party. The train passengers, in their community of fate, were cuddling together and making jokes about it. Meanwhile, there were teasing remarks from the conductor over the loudspeaker. For example, this one: 'Unfortunately, our train cannot depart yet because we're not fully loaded and are still waiting for passengers from other trains'. After that, there was really laughter! Who would have thought. Thank you Mr. Weselsky, we had fun! Seriously!