Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/587643
ThelastdayinBuda- pest (9/11) provided some drama. A taxi arrived to take me to Keleti Palyaud- var railroad station. This was the station where the refugees had gathered in the basement some two weeks before covered in our news as a major cri- sis in Hungary. The man, exquisitely dressed, ar- rived in a large, new Mer- cedes-Benz. He told me that they had to use a Mercedes to take passen- gers from the better ho- tels. On the way to the station he offered to take me to Vienna (Wien) for 400 Euros. I didn't realize that he knew something I didn't know. Since I was an hour early, I had to wait until the listings were posted for my time period. Then I knew that there was no train listed for Wien. I looked around. I saw a small line down one side of the station. I ap- proached it and went in- side. An employee told me I would have to wait to find out what to do. A huge policeman proba- bly 6'6" stood at the other end of the room. When the first man left, the po- liceman approached me and told me in Hungar- ian to get outside. It took me several seconds to fig- ure out what he was say- ing until he took his arm and started to move me towards the door. I knew what to do then. Go outside into the hall- way. An elderly American couple told me the trains to Wien had been can- celled that day. They had come the day before to check and the trains were running. They had fig- ured out what to do, but I had not yet taken my number, so I didn't know the status of my East Eu- rope Rail ticket or what to do. By the time I got to talk to the ticket mas- ter and had decided to aid two young men from Bra- zil sharing my limited in- formation, I had missed the first train I needed to take. With a passport and ticket, we were to go to Bratislava and then to Wien. My ticket was good, but the guys from Bra- zil had to exchange theirs. So while those guys went to McDonalds, I sat eating the sandwich I had pre- pared at breakfast wait- ing another two hours for the train. There were refugees and migrants in the sta- tion. I think that they did not know how to get to Wien via Bratislava. They may have needed a pass- port. The adults had cell phones and most looked like they were fairly wealthy. There were some babies and small children. The large numbers that were reported two weeks before were not in the sta- tion. I have learned since coming home that the Hungarians began to put the migrants on trains that took them from just across the border from Serbia to within two miles of Germany. In these countries, the stations and public places have WC (toilets) that charge a small fee. Be- fore boarding the train, I paid my money and went through the turnstile. The young migrant behind me asked his companion who was in front of me for a coin. He walked on in, ig- noring him. I put a coin in the slot and he came through. He thanked me. To be in a country that did not speak your language and not have any of its money leaves one in a pre- carious situation. Americans are issued first class rail tickets so I boarded the first train. The two men from Brazil boarded another car and I settled down into a very nice car and after filling out the East Europe Rail Pass with the date 11/9 as the conductor checked it, I enjoyed the country- side. Europeans enter the day of the month first and then the month. If you fill it out wrong, your ticket is invalid. I had three days on the pass. It is amaz- ing that the cost of the trip from Budapest to Wien was $12. During both legs of our trip, at least three police came through the car. It would be impossible for the Europeans to do a security check on their rail travelers. This was their method, I guessed, of sur- veillance. Despite this rather un- nerving experience, travel in Europe is very safe. I felt no danger walking around any of the cities as a tourist with a back- pack and camera, even at night. I was back to my hotel by 10 p.m. Everyone who saw me knew I was a tourist. The people were friendly and if they spoke English were always will- ing to talk to me and help if I needed directions. About 90% of the time I was able to choose per- sons who spoke English as so many do. Aboutthecontributor: Leonard (Len) Stohler is a historian by degree. He taught in the local schools from 1969-1995. He served on the Red Bluff Union School Board for 16 years. On a Danube River cruise late October last year he had to return due to the illness of his traveling companion after seeing only Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna for one day each. He wanted to return "closer to the ground" and so returned on an independent trip to the cities of Budapest, Vienna, Prague and Berlin from September 7-22. He walked in these cities and rode public transportation, enjoying some of the many attractions and historic sites and talking to a few of the citizens. Budapest FROMPAGE6 PHOTOBYLEONARDSTOHLER Matthias hillside To be in a country that did not speak your language and not have any of its money leaves one in a precarious situation. Cozy Diner 259S.MainSt. Red Bluff Join The Fun Halloween Night 6-10pm Costume Contest MonsterBurgerEatingContest $10entry 7pm 528-8777 Karaoke every Saturday 6-10pm with KamiKaze Dan with KamiKaze Dan NewPatientCoupon Custom bleachingtrayswithbleaching product at no charge (a $400 value.) After a complete set of x-rays, comprehensive exam and cleaning are completed Insuranceiswelcome 445 Elm Street, Red Bluff, CA • 530-527-2877 Mon.-Thurs. 8am-5pm Cosmetic&GeneralFamilyDentistry DR. WILLEM S.C. VAN OPIJNEN www.tehamafamilyfitness.com Tehama Family Fitness Center 2498 South Main St. Red Bluff •528-8656 Yesterday You Said Tomorrow, Become A Better YOU Today! Finish2015feelingandlookingamazing! GettherestoftheYEARforonly: $159SingleMembership • Couples $239 Family of 3 $279 • Family of 4 $319 • Family of 5 $449 The sooner you enroll the better the savings! Children must be under 18 to be included in family specials. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2015 REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM | NEWS | 7 A ★