Choo Choo!!

How exciting, I get to take a train ride. Not just any old train ride. Oh no!!  

A sleeper train. Which is pretty cool and I almost missed it. Yep, my good old organisational skills at work really well there!

What had happened was that I had to check out of the hostel in Santa Monica at 11am as they needed to start getting the bed ready for the next customer. My train wasn’t until 10pm. No real problem. I was able to get all my stuff packed the night before to save time. The only issue was storage. Lucky for me the hostel had secure lockers which costs $5 for 24 hours which is a steal, really, for piece of mind while the weary traveller is waiting to move on to pastures new (get me and my prose 🎓)

I had already decided that I didn’t want to wait around till it was time to leave as that is really, really tedious and such a waste of time. As such, I booked another day at Universal Studios. There is no way you can do a tour of Universal Studios in one day, so book for two.  That way there will be no disappointment because you were standing in line for 2hours waiting for that really popular attraction that everyone else wants to see as well. This meant there was still lots to do and places to see on the second day such as, the universal studio tour around the filming lots (very cool, especially with 4D experiences), The Wizardly World of Harry Potter and drinking Butterbeer (yes I did wait in line for 2 hours, the ride was so worth it, trust me!), Waterworld Show with special effects and proper stunt men and even a flying plane that crashed (I know it was a prop, but it was still really realistic) and having lunch at Crusty Burger while watching Simpson clips. 

I was having such a good time that I left at 5:30pm.  Still enough time to return the car to the airport for 19:00, or so I thought. Traffic was awful and I returned the car about 30mins late, that, combined with filling out a damage form for the passenger side mirror (which happened when a road marker, knocked out of position, hit the mirror breaking the glass😟) it was more like 8pm when finished. I had to quickly run back to the hostel via the airport (I couldn’t get my phone to work to book an Uber😫.  This meant a panicked trip back to Santa Monica to get my luggage and literally commandeering the taxi to take me onwards towards Union Station to meet the train. 

I just made it in time to board the bloody train. (PHEW!!!).

I can tell you there were moments I thought I wasn’t going to make it. I was frantically going through plan B and even plan C in my head in case I missed it. Amtrak only leaves LA twice weekly, so no chance of getting it again if missed this train. All the while sending subliminal messages to the driver willing him onwards and saying a few prayers also. 

The train itself is very impressive. A double decker silver monster of a train with multiple carriages a mixture of coach, sleeper units (roomette, bedroom, family), dining car, snack car and observation deck (yep, an observation deck. With glass ceilings giving a panoramic view of the scenery). It was very, very old school chic. It reminded me of films or books that I had read about before air travel became truly popular and everyone still travelled by train. The cool black and whites that showed a woman or a couple travelling, lots of luggage.  Porters on hand to help load the train. Steam, from the engine billowing moodily on to the platform while forlong farewells are uttered. Then on to private rooms for sleeping, room service or invitation only to dine in the dining car. Maybe stepping on the observation deck for a cigarette and an after dinner brandy or whisky before retiring to bed and waking up in a new and exciting place.  

Very chic and very cool. 

My own little experience began slightly differently. A 4ft 11in girl carrying a 20 pound rucksack (I know as the conductor weighed it as he put it on the train) hustling, or at least trying to, while carrying a stuffed holdall and a shoulder bag. A conducter took pity on me and pointed me to the rear of the platform and I huffed and puffed till I got there, only to be placed in coach and not the sleeper I had booked. The female attendant hadn’t listened to me when I said where my seat was, which made me a little annoyed. Luckily, it was all remedied when the conductor came checking tickets and I was shown to my roomette, my home for the next 2 nights. 

A roomette is a tiny narrow room with 2 chairs facing each other which make a bed when unfolded and a fold down bunk above with a window. No sink or toilet which the bedrooms and family rooms had. Privacy was a small sliding door and curtains. The roomette could hold 2 people, at a stretch. I had it all to my self which was just about right. 

To my joy, meals were included although sadly I had missed dinner ☹️ which was really disappointing as I hadn’t eaten since brunch. 

I quickly found the snack car which was open to 11pm and came back to find the attendant had made my bed. I quickly fell fast asleep after stuffing my face with popcorn and peanuts, weary from the stressful day and rocked gently by the motions of the train. There is nothing better then falling asleep to the motion and sound of a train while tucked up warmly on a very comfortable bed. 

I was a bit worried about being bored the next day but I needed have worried. I got woken up to the sound we had arrived somewhere in New Mexico and heard the hustle and bustle of passengers embarking and disembarking, having a smoking break ( the train was non smoking) or getting up and getting ready for breakfast. I found my bag down stairs in the hold, moved from the carriage next door as I needed fresh clothes. I showered (yes!, showered, on a train!!!!) and went for breakfast. Unfortunately the conductor allocated my car hadn’t told me when breakfast began or where it was held so I went back to the familiar snack car for breakfast. 

The rest of the day was spent watching Breaking Bad on my iPad, although I had forgotten to download more episodes when I had access to WiFi. DOH!!!  Then a Amtrak worker came and took my reservation for lunch and dinner in the dining car. A 2 course meal with drinks, all included on my sleeper ticket. All I had to do was wait for an announcement over the tannoy informing me my table was ready. I was half tempted to get dressed for the occasion….then thought better of it.

I then redid my manicure, watched some films on my iPad, had a walk to the observation car then it was time for dinner. 

For both meals I got seated next to some elderly people who were amazing. We got chatting about travelling, where the were visiting (family, friends, holiday, funeral) why they opted for the train (fear of flying,timing, experience and money). They wanted to say grace so I joined in also, a first for me.  After which, beds were made and it was time to go to sleep again. 

The following morning was an early start, getting washed and dressed, organised and breakfasted ready for arrival to Austin Texas at 09:30am, 2 days from setting off from LA. Unfortunately we didn’t arrive until 12:30pm. Now, I had heard Amtrak is infamous for its delays and sudden schedule changes but up until the final few hours, we had been right on time.  I though great, I can have a whole day in Austin to explore before making my way to the hostel. 

Nope!!!!!

So after a 3 hour delay 2 miles from Austin due to freight trains on the same line, I then had another delay of almost an hour waiting for a taxi to take me to the airport to pick up the hire car. The first company I called kept me on hold for almost 40mins. Great when you are making an international call 😡. The second company I called came fairly promptly and wer proficient and speedy. I don’t believe all the negative reviews in Yelp, I had a really good experience. 

I finally picked up the car and got upgraded free of charge as they had no compacts left. So, I am left driving a massive American car, but, at least it has all its mirrors 😇. I didn’t opt for the sat nav this time having learned from my mistakes previously. After a very timid drive to get something to eat, (I am so not used to big cars), I made it to the hostel which is awesome.  It is situated on the edge of a lake where you can go paddle boarding and kayaking on the Colorado river which sounds amazing. 

Will definitely be giving that a try. 

The temperature is low 40 degrees and high humidity. I stepped out for a few minutes and instantly needed a shower as I was sweating so much. One of the girls in my dorm pointed me in the direction of the supermarket 10mins away and I made the error of walking there. Should have driven, it was painstakingly slow going and I must have looked a state as a passerby stopped me and asked if I was alright 😬

All that’s left is to eat what I have brought for dinner (salmon, potatoes and broccoli, in case you’re interested), a quick beer with the hostel guests and bed. 

Need to plan for tomorrow. Texan BBQ it is…..YUM!!!!!!!!