As you know we decided to take the train to Gütersloh. Which worked out fine since J's car has been acting up lately and J figured it would be safer since he hasn't had time to get to the mechanic yet. Plus by taking public transport we would be able to judge distances a little better.
So we met up at the main train station and we find out they're running a special deal for those travelers in Germany wanting to get to any part of Europe or within the country itself. This deal would only make sense if you're traveling with at least one other person or in a group as the return-ticket was valid for up to 5 people.
I guess it's Deutsche Bahn's [the railway company] way of promoting and luring travelers to go by train. And we calculated that had we taken the car we would have spent at least be 60 Euro for the petrol and that wouldn't have included parking.
So for 39 Euro for 2 [or 5 depending how many are traveling] and for BOTH WAYS, we that was an absolute steal!
Excited that we made the earlier the train we get on board and make ourselves comfortable. I comment how nice the train is and how we even have a table. We go so far as wiping the arm rests and part of the table with disinfection wipes i just bought. And J then points out how great it is that the carriage is practically empty and that we're relieved that we don't have to fight for a seat.
It takes us about 45 minutes to sink in the reason why it's so empty is because we're sitting in the wrong section. The fine print on the ticket states it's valid for only for 2nd class and excludes the ICE [the fast train]. We were sitting in 1st class and clearly shows by the bold '1' on the side panels.
So immediately we pack our things before the ticket guy came by in fear that we'd get told off or worse get fined for having the wrong ticket!
As we walk through the barely occupied 1st class carriages trying to find our way to 2nd class, we eventually get to an A4 printed sheet taped up to the glass window indicating the class change, followed by a carriage full of occupied seats.
We then turn to each other burst into laughter. "Ahhh, so that's where all the people were!"
Anyway, nearly 2 hours later we arrive and find our way to the bus station as our appointment to see the apartment isn't directly in the city centre. We're told it'll take about 25 minutes by bus [equivalent to 14 stops] and the return-ticket costs 7 Euros for 2. The ride itself is already quite far from J's new work place and further away from where i intend to go to school to learn German.
We arrive and we're 15 minutes early. Minutes later another lady arrives also interested in looking at the apartment. The real estate lady arrives and shows us around. We already know the place is too small and the location is too far out. But J pretends to be interested and continues to ask his questions.
Next!
After being somewhat disappointed and realising it's too late to walk into any other real estate agencies, we make our way back to the town centre. And since the newspapers that advertise for apartments only comes out on Wednesdays and Saturdays, we figured there wasn't much more we could do, so ended up treating ourselves with a few drinks and a nice dinner.
We find this great place called, 'Alex' and we both order the Caeser salad; mine is topped with shrimps and J orders it with fried salmon. The portions were huge and enough for a main course. The funny part was my shrimps tasted like chicken! Yes i know i'm vegetarian but i still remember what chicken tastes like. I reckon they were fried in the same oil that the fry meat in. Oh well. A little over done but the taste was definitely there!
We realised we were faraway from home and needed to make our way back before it got too late, so off to the train station we went; which so happened to be right around the corner.
...
2 and a half hours with my legs crossed and my bladder screaming for my attention again [damn that 2nd beer], i can't wait to get home as i can barely feel my arse!
So little time, so many decisions and considerations to make but our hunt for a new home continues...
So we met up at the main train station and we find out they're running a special deal for those travelers in Germany wanting to get to any part of Europe or within the country itself. This deal would only make sense if you're traveling with at least one other person or in a group as the return-ticket was valid for up to 5 people.
I guess it's Deutsche Bahn's [the railway company] way of promoting and luring travelers to go by train. And we calculated that had we taken the car we would have spent at least be 60 Euro for the petrol and that wouldn't have included parking.
So for 39 Euro for 2 [or 5 depending how many are traveling] and for BOTH WAYS, we that was an absolute steal!
Excited that we made the earlier the train we get on board and make ourselves comfortable. I comment how nice the train is and how we even have a table. We go so far as wiping the arm rests and part of the table with disinfection wipes i just bought. And J then points out how great it is that the carriage is practically empty and that we're relieved that we don't have to fight for a seat.
It takes us about 45 minutes to sink in the reason why it's so empty is because we're sitting in the wrong section. The fine print on the ticket states it's valid for only for 2nd class and excludes the ICE [the fast train]. We were sitting in 1st class and clearly shows by the bold '1' on the side panels.
So immediately we pack our things before the ticket guy came by in fear that we'd get told off or worse get fined for having the wrong ticket!
As we walk through the barely occupied 1st class carriages trying to find our way to 2nd class, we eventually get to an A4 printed sheet taped up to the glass window indicating the class change, followed by a carriage full of occupied seats.
We then turn to each other burst into laughter. "Ahhh, so that's where all the people were!"
Anyway, nearly 2 hours later we arrive and find our way to the bus station as our appointment to see the apartment isn't directly in the city centre. We're told it'll take about 25 minutes by bus [equivalent to 14 stops] and the return-ticket costs 7 Euros for 2. The ride itself is already quite far from J's new work place and further away from where i intend to go to school to learn German.
We arrive and we're 15 minutes early. Minutes later another lady arrives also interested in looking at the apartment. The real estate lady arrives and shows us around. We already know the place is too small and the location is too far out. But J pretends to be interested and continues to ask his questions.
Next!
After being somewhat disappointed and realising it's too late to walk into any other real estate agencies, we make our way back to the town centre. And since the newspapers that advertise for apartments only comes out on Wednesdays and Saturdays, we figured there wasn't much more we could do, so ended up treating ourselves with a few drinks and a nice dinner.
We find this great place called, 'Alex' and we both order the Caeser salad; mine is topped with shrimps and J orders it with fried salmon. The portions were huge and enough for a main course. The funny part was my shrimps tasted like chicken! Yes i know i'm vegetarian but i still remember what chicken tastes like. I reckon they were fried in the same oil that the fry meat in. Oh well. A little over done but the taste was definitely there!
We realised we were faraway from home and needed to make our way back before it got too late, so off to the train station we went; which so happened to be right around the corner.
...
2 and a half hours with my legs crossed and my bladder screaming for my attention again [damn that 2nd beer], i can't wait to get home as i can barely feel my arse!
So little time, so many decisions and considerations to make but our hunt for a new home continues...
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