You know what sucks? Over night trains

From Budapest I had to catch a train first to Vienna then a connecting overnight train from Vienna straight to Rome .... in theory. But they never seem to work out in theory now do they.

Budapest as a city has so many things going on for it but the train station is definitely not its strong suit. First of all the train station looks like it came straight out of the cold war. Even though it is a central hub there are only like 5 ticketing windows open. I had to wait almost two hours before I could try to reserve my ticket. Only to be told that it was all sold out. So I tried my luck and took the next train out to Vienna anyways to see if I can score some tickets in the far better and 21st century station in Vienna.

On the train I met a Chinese guy who could only speak Chinese. He seemed like a good enough guy at first but then when he heard that I was going to Rome and he was going to Bologna (which was the same train I guess). He automatically invited himself to my trip. WTF??? Ok, no worries just helping out a fellow traveler out I thought. Except even though he doesn't speak English at all for some reason he wanted to call the shots of where to go etc. This really irritated me and when I translated what the ticketing agent said he wouldn't believe me. Like buddy I'm not the one who doesn't speak English here.

Anyways fast forward. we finally got our tickets to Rome and Bologna and there was going to be a night train to Venice first then a connection from there to Bologna then Rome. Luckily I was not put in the same sleeper car with the other guy. I can honestly say he was the most annoying and irritating guy I have ever met for this whole trip.

In the sleeper cars I met some really cool people and had great conversations. We tried to get some sleep but with 4 people to a car with 6 seats it really is not the most comfortable arrangement. I was lucky if my face didn't brush up against someone's socks or accidentally touch my butt against someone's face. Finally with zero sleep achieved I arrived in Venice and transferred to my new train to Rome. Arrival in Rome at 12pm left me with the rest of the days to explore which I did. Cause you know what they say.... when in Rome (to be continued).

Peace from Rome.