We were up about 8 and went for our free breakfast. Got more free fruit, Angie. Mom packed up all our stuff and we walked around a little. Then we checked out, put our luggage into storage and checked out some more parts of the town. We arranged for a taxi to the train station at 2:30 but we returned to the hotel around 2. At 2:30 the taxi showed up right at the door so we didn't have to wheel luggage two blocks on cobblestones. He took us right to the train station for €10 plus 5 more for savings us all the walking. He has a special permit to enter the pedestrian only areas.

We're at the station about an hour early and I check the train board. Our train to Budapest was listed as 25 minutes delay. That was the exact amount of time we needed to transfer to the night train to Brasov. Then it changes to 35 min delayed. I went to the information desk to find out if they will hold the train or do we catch the next one? She says, "Catch the next one". Our connecting train was at 7:30pm. The next one will be 4 hours later at 11:30pm. 

So we catch the 3:50pm at around 5pm and waste an hour more time in Bratislava station. We get to Budapest, Hungary around 8pm. We meet "Ken". the guy works for the railroad and looks and acts just like Ken, even his mannerisms.  He was our tag-along throughout the night.  I check with information, showing my reservation on a train that has already left and why we missed it. He says just wait for the next on at 11:30pm, in 3 1/2 hours. We sit for an hour and I decide to ask again at information. A new guy says go to international tickets and they will fix it. I take a number 316 (they're on 277) and wait. When I'm called the lady says I need to go to information. I say, "they sent me here". She says "you need to get a note saying why you missed your train". Third time to information and he writes the note and says to go to the platform and give it to the conductor. By now we've finally burned up the 3 hours we had and the train pulls in. Ken wants to help with our luggage and is pushing it past Karen to the next train. The wrong train! I chase him down, get the luggage back. The conductor says I need to buy another ticket $200. I show him that I already paid. It's not my fault the train was late. He says its not his fault either and to wait for the next train. We roll to the first class car and re-explain there.  

This guys a bit more friendly. He says its €42 pp but he has a room. I know it's a ripoff but we take it. We load onto the train at 11:30 and get in our cabin. It's small but the beds are good and we need to keep going. It has a sink, toilet around the corner and we're on our way. I always wanted to sleep on a train. We slip into our beds with the train rocking us to sleep. I'm pissed about the €84 but I need to get over it. Well, it's about to get even better.