Netherlands Trains

Id like to say I am glad to be home, but ... I really would have liked to have stayed longer. Our trip to the Netherlands was great though, really interesting as always.
It was a bit chilly, and some days were even cold. I didn't like that too much, but it was ok. The one day we went to the beaches it was very cold and windy.

I love the public transportation system, with the buses, trains, trams and all the rest. Even when it doesn't work as it should, it is still pretty cool. We hit a "perfect storm" our second day there with the public transportation system.

First of all, it was the opening day of the World Cup. The cup is being played in South Africa, but you would have thought it was in the Netherlands by the way people were acting. Imagine the World Series and Super Bowl combined and on steroids, and that is a small taste. This is a huge event in the rest of the world.

The whole country was covered with Orange - the national teams colors - posters everywhere, decorations everywhere. And just about everyone had the day off it seems.

We picked a fine day to take a train trip. We got a day pass for the trains and decided to go to a town 100 miles away, and stop at small towns on the way back. We did not know that this town had a major World Cup event scheduled. The stadium - which holds 50,000 for soccer - had set up huge screen TV's and had invited the whole country to come watch, and to attend concerts and associated parties throughout the day. The whole country didn't show up, but it seemed like it. There were thousands of people lined up at the stadium. Our train was crowded, and trains full of people were dropping them off every 20 minutes or so.

We went on about our tourist activities once we negotiated through the mobs headed for the stadium. We took a bus out to a "living museum" where history was on display. I must admit I was underwhelmed. The historical actors were all off - no doubt watching the world cup - so the living history wasnt doing much living.

We took a bus out there, and it was a 45 minute ride. We failed to ask the ticket seller how long the bus ride was or how far the place was. The bus stopped about every block and made many twists and turns. After we got there we met someone who explained to us that the road went straight from there to the city center and was just less than a mile away. So we didn't bother with the bus trip back, and walked 15 minutes back to the train station.

You learn as you go.

People were great though. Most people speak English and are happy to give directions and or advice, and help you figure out the maps and public transportation system.

Then it got worse. The buses were running at least 2 hours late. But The Netherlands had won its World Cup game and everyone was happy and out celebrating in the streets. Many were intoxicated, but they were still a decent crowd.
Someone had jumped in front of the train earlier in the day and that had stopped the trains for a few hours. We were never certain if it was a suicide, or whether it was one event or several events.

So we waited about two hours for the train - and by that time there were thousands of other people also waiting for the train. When they did get rolling we missed a couple chances to get on. The first one had changed platforms and we realized it too late. The second time we were unable to get through the crowd that was forcing itself onto the trains. Finally, we got on the third train, and had to stand in the aisle.

So we got home very late and very tired. The trains didnt go as they should have, but I thought it was a fun experience anyway. Like our son - Eric - says, the trains are designed to work, and when they don't they really don't.

Other days the trains worked just fine and were always on time. We found out that sometimes they come a few minutes early.

They don't always check for tickets. I guess its a money saving measure, but, they only check for tickets at random. You never know when they will check. You buy your ticket and get on and ride. No one checks when you get on. It would be really easy to get on the wrong train.

Also getting from platform to platform is not always easy. You have to go downstairs and back up another set of stairs to get to a different platform.

You could get on and ride without a ticket, but you never know when they will be checking. If you get caught without a ticket it is a heavy fine, so most Netherlands people don't take the risk.

So thats the deal with trains. The downside is you have to go when the trains go, and you have to make other arrangements to go other places.

Lots of walking. A lot of people walk and ride bicycles there. Not very many fat people.

More tomorrow.