On the train to Budapest: beast on board – panorama

In the middle of … Vienna

On the train to Budapest, you sit in the compartment with your fellow passengers, no incidents, a trip according to plan. Until you change trains in Vienna. They had just talked about growing hunger, pondered about the food that awaited them on arrival, and because people also look for the familiar in a foreign country, they had decided to eat a goulash first. It’s just a pity that it still takes a while until it’s steaming in front of you. So change trains, Vienna, you’ll find the reserved compartment. But then a man is sitting in the compartment and next to the man is a dog. The size of a calf, teeth like swords and the snout in a muzzle that was far too windy. You look at the dog, look at your fellow travelers and all of a sudden you realize: If things go badly, the goulash will be served sooner than you thought. Josef Wirnshofer

In the middle of … Erlangen

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When the voice from the loudspeaker announced “People on the track” on the express train from Erfurt to Munich in the evening, the scope for action seemed clear: stoically accept. Or just mosern, like to be very loud on Twitter. But things turned out completely differently, because the ICE made an unscheduled stop in Erlangen, on the easternmost platform. Thankfully, the train driver opens the doors, who knows how long the people will be on the track. Soft electronic music can be heard, next to the platform there is a small beer garden with a DJ. After a few moments, the first passenger leans over the railing and asks if he can have a beer. Clear! A few minutes later, the people from the “Transfer Club” have moved their tills to the platform and are handing out ginger schnapps, cola, iced tea, and Helles. The atmosphere is excellent and card payment is also possible. Max Haegler

In the middle of … Friedrichshafen

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In the nine-euro country, a longer train journey in a regional train needs to be strategically planned. Well, you have the basics in your rucksack: provisions (because there is no bistro), power bank (because there are no sockets), headphones (because fellow travelers love to sing). As a group – you learn that quickly too – it’s best to board the carriage from both sides and shout across the rows of seats: “I’ve got the foursome.” But the very high art of train travel can be observed on a hot Saturday in a regional express towards Lake Constance. Sweaty, you push your way to the exit shortly before Friedrichshafen, a quick glance at the upper floor of the double-decker car: there is actually a fellow passenger sitting in the camping chair you brought with you. A relaxed smile plays around his lips, the message is clear: “Look here, I know how it’s done.” Eva Dignös

You can find more episodes of the “In the middle of …” column here.