The train trip from hell was an unexpected travel adventure. When I travel, everything is organized...hotels are booked, train schedules are downloaded, and travel itineraries are on an app on my phone. So the train ride from Geleen to Paris was supposed to run as planned, right?
The planned route would take us back to Liege, Belgium (which from our previous impressions should have tipped me off that things in Belgium aren't always as they seem online). From there, we were to board the nice (and pricey) high-speed train, expected to take just 2 1/2 hours to get to Paris.
Once we boarded, everything was fantastic...spacious seating, free wifi, and a small food car right near us. Matt ordered a Heineken, and all was well. We were quite excited when we realized the train would be passing through Brussels. We oohed and aahed as we passed through the city, noticing the gold domed palaces and cathedrals. Little did we know, that these same sights would have us groaning later on that day.
About 45minutes past Brussels, there were 5 dings heard over the speakers, then the train slowed to about 1/2 speed. A little later, more dings, and the train lowered speed again. More dings and well, the train stopped completely. We were in Middleofnowhere, Belgium. Soon after, announcements came...first saying that they were addressing power supply problems. About 20 minutes later, all power on the train went out...then an announcement saying that we would return to Brussels to get a new train.
To make a very long, painful story short, we had another 40 minute wait to get a new train in Brussels. We finally pulled out and saw the same sights of Brussels for the 3rd time. Oh Belgium...I don't think I'll be back!
While in the end we arrived nearly 4 hours late, there was a bright ending to this story. First, the railway provided us dinner boxes for free (with questionably edible content) and bottled water. Second, they assured us that our fare will be 50% re-imbursed (to my credit card...we'll see!). And lastly, we arrived to a beautiful sunset in Paris. As expected, Sherri's eyes got glossy as she began seeing some of the recognizable sights on our taxi ride to the hotel. Money well spent.