It will not take long in this train to get there. I am worried I might fall asleep, miss my station and end up at Interlaken (in Switzerland, where this train is going)
I set a vibration alarm on my phone for the set time and enjoy the window show, now showing Beautiful Germany, all weekend this week.
Soon it is time for Mannheim to be here. I raise my luggage and wait at the train door like a true Bombay boy. Obviously the train is running late. This is a little alarming as I have a gap of 6 minutes between 2 trains and I have to change platforms.
The train stops, I run out holding my huge (but empty) bag and run down, whip left-right and run up to platform 7.
A quick word to the smiling lady in the red tie and I am running towards my train.
I push the button on the door and prepare to get in.
Nothing happens.
I push harder. Ahh... some movement. What????
Horror of horrors, instead of opening the door to let me in, the entire train is moving. Away from me!
I stand there in horror, watching my train leave me. I could have sworn I saw the train driver smirk as I stood there stamping the platform exasperatedly.
Dammit!
I run back to the lady in the tie.
German german german german german.
English please.
You have missed your train.
Uhh. Yes as you just saw.
You want to go Heilbronn, you go to Gleis 9 and take that (pointing)
please hurry.
Wonderful! Does that go to Heilbronn?
No, but close by. You can change train again.
Great!
I run. Manage to get onto that train, find a place to sit and furiously type to P & K on the BB messenger. I quickly explain that I've missed my train and am now on my way on a train for Mosbach.
So where shall I pick you up?
I'll manage coming to Heilbronn. Somehow. Just don't think I'll make it at 5pm.
The train has an incredibly scenic route, travelling parallel to the winding Neckar river, stopping at little picturesque towns.
Beep.
Where are you now?
Just then the announcer says it. I also see it on the LED screen.
Nächste Station: Heidelberg-Pfaffengründ.
Look at that name, what a whopper! I try typing it quickly, but cannot. What is wrong with these guys? What happens if a non-German wants to ask for directions!?
Uhh.. I need to get to puffygrind something.
P messages again asking if I can get to Hoffenheim. I run up to the Bahnmap. I guess I can, if I change at the next station. But I have an online ticket to Heilbronn.
Will I get into trouble?
OK You do one thing. You go to Mosbach, I will come there to rescue you.
OK.
15 minutes later.
Where are you?
Lindach.
Never heard of it.
lol, neither have I, say I. It is getting late.
Wait at Mosbach, I will drive there and rescue you.
I stare at the Bahnmap.
Umm.. P, which Mosbach should I get off at? Mosbach-Neckarelz, Mosbachwest and Mosbach(Baden)
I don't know. Whichever is the main station.
This is not going well.
I get off at Mosbach(Baden) and walk out onto the street. I give him the location of the nearest big building which is the Baden-Wüttermberg Bank. He can find me using his GPS Navi.
15 minutes, beeps his reply.
I am waiting on the street. Funny situation to be in. I am grinning because I am imagining Jenny's face as I walk into her office.
I take my camera out and take a few pictures of the quiet little town with a very interesting sky.
Soon P arrives in his M3 with the skylight open. We hug our hellos and he starts to drive me back. I'm 38 kilometres off target heh heh.
He quickly calls Jenny and tells her that he has picked up the agency and he's on his way for the meeting.
The time is now 6pm.