An SZ author gets stuck in the snow with the Deutsche Bahn, Lokdown, a replacement train is needed. How good that the conductor has a few tips up her sleeve. Three anecdotes from around the world.
In the middle of nowhere
(Illustration: Marc Herold)
Our ICE has been standing in the snow on the way to Berlin for two hours. Apparently Erfurt isn’t far, but the way it looks outside, we could also be in the Aleutians. First, the train attendant spread the optimism customary in the industry: “Small disruption, will continue soon.” But now everyone knows that the worst has happened: Lokdown. We have to wait for a replacement train. While a group of pensioners is getting drunk on champagne, the train app congratulates us on our arrival (“Welcome to the destination”). When changing trains, the train attendant offers tips: “You can go down the evacuation stairs straight away into the snow. Warm up your arm muscles if you have heavy luggage.” After eleven hours of travel, the train still arrives in Berlin – we feel pretty off track for that. Fabrice Brown
In the middle of… Munich
(Illustration: Marc Herold)
Tiled floor, high ceiling, people in suits behind the counters. There are red armchairs in the middle of the room, which are probably supposed to give the whole thing a lounge character, but we’re still just in a bank: the teenage son needs online access for his account and a signature from his father or mother . We pull a note for an appointment from a machine, make ourselves comfortable in one of these chairs and look bored at a screen. Unusual! There are no numbers at all. Icons only. A bird. A castle. A woman with a laptop comes up to us: “Do you have the rabbit?” The son looks at the paper and nods. A colleague interrupts: “Wait a minute, the moneybag’s turn first.” “I looked, it seems to have disappeared.” Lucky we hadn’t already hopped away. Mareen Linnartz
In the middle of… Tokyo
(Illustration: Marc Herold)
Christmas in Japan is not very authentic. Understandable, in the land of Shintoism people have different customs. But there is something about this kitsch: the avenue at Yoyogi Park is covered with dense chains of lights. Against the black night sky, the trees look like giants covered in blue snow. At the end of the avenue, passers-by can use a laptop to draw messages in fluorescent colors on a large display board. The interest is lively. Christmas trees, hearts, Merry Christmas wishes are created. Only one thinks of something else. A W, an O, an R grows trembling on the board. A little later it says: “World Cup 2022.” Next to it is a Japanese flag. Japan’s group victory ahead of Spain and Germany at the World Cup was really a great Christmas present. Thomas Hahn
You can find more episodes of the “In the middle of …” column here.