The little mermaid

Friday, 20th

Where is my passport (wimp)? Dude!! is a line which you will be subjected to read quite often in my posts. Well I have these frequent panic attacks about loosing my all precious passport and to be stranded in some foreign country without any resources. So about at least 3 times a day I would go crazy shouting wimp, wimp. And then I would routinely empty my day pack of its rubber Garfield, a huge camera, a notebook, a book, a pen, tissues, cellphone, cellphone charger, deodorant, apples, chips and bottle of water. Then I would religiously go through my rucksack putting my hands deep in folds of clothes, socks, pockets. Then I would go through the 6 pocketed pajama, 2 +1 pocketed jacket that I have been wearing and find my passport neatly kept in one of the pockets.

OK so today we had to catch the 7:13 am train for Osnabruck first. And from there to Puttgarden to reach Cobenhaven (Copenhagen). To achieve that, I doubt that sleep would have been on my mind. So most part of the night I was jotting down, reading, slept a few winks and finally a hot shower later, carrying my day pack, rucksack reached the checkout counter at 5am. Phew!! G came in a few minutes later and my chest swelled with a sheepish grin on my lips. The cafeteria at the hostel had kept two neat packets of ham and cheese sandwiches for us, as we were leaving early.

With all our loads we walked towards the station. As scheduled, the train left at 7:13am for Osnabruck. We had a coupe to ourselves. We took the window seat and stared at the scenery outside, for a while. We were joined by two more couples.

Our original plan was to go to Brussels from Amsterdam and then proceed to London. But G did some really good research and figured this excellent route of going to Copenhagen and then to Norway. From Norway we would then proceed to Scotland.

Most of the journey was uneventful, we kept dozing on and off and for a while I stationed myself in the washroom to charge my cellphone. As we were approaching Osnabruck, we realised that the connecting train would be from platform number 12 (imagine!!) and we just had three minutes in hand to transfer us and the load on to next train. We reached Osnabruck and looked here and there for the platform. The platform was right next to us. Phew!! We boarded and were joined by a two old men who were this and that. For most part of the journey they kept us informed about their hobbies and how they are going to meet the son of one of them and then off to Lithuania. I wish we had also launched our missive (But now that I look back, I think most people in Europe are friendly and eager to share information, not to be taken otherwise) We munched happily on our sandwiches and pringles.

We were now entering the best part of the journey. Our train slowly entered a ferry. Yes, I repeat, the train slowly entered the womb of the waiting passenger ship. We got off the train into the ship and climbed up the stairs to the deck, for a panoramic view of the ocean and the approaching mainland. It was a vast expanse of blue sky over us. White fluffy clouds drifting and a few seagulls playing. It was a huge deck (you can imagine, with a train in its belly). On board we were served hot coffee and butter cookies.

Finally we reached mainland and took our seats on the train. The train slowly whistled its way out to Copenhagen. The journey was simply brilliant.

It was late afternoon and we reached our hostel "Sleep in Heaven". The hostel was conveniently located at about 10 minutes walking distance from the station. The hostel looked friendly, a mix of international guests, and bunk beds. We buried our backpacks in the lockers assigned and moved out to explore the city. The first thing that we wanted to see was "The little mermaid" Although it was about 5 in the evening. The wide streets were empty. Very few cars passed and still fewer people on the streets. So no one to give us directions,except our map. Finally we managed to get hold a jogger who conveniently showed his place of stay, and where we were standing on the map and not the little mermaid (ridiculously funny) He had no clue what we were asking. Then as we were staring into the empty streets wondering, when a group of passerby's came over, decided to help us and show us the way (ridiculously funny). Such extremes.

We followed their directions, jumped over fences, walked through a huge public park, watched few kids on the swings and crossed some fabulous flowers and came in face with a large stuffed bear grinning at us foolishly and holding a tray of goodies. Next to it was the water. And another few meters or so away hiding behind boulders and crowded by tourists was the little mermaid waiting patiently for her visitors from India.

In this land of Hans Christian Anderson, here we were standing in front of the "mermaid" which we had read in books. It was a very nice feeling. A more of a childhood dream come true. Many more dreams coming true were in the pipeline.

After spending some time there, we walked back to the hostel through the same stretch of park, swings and flowers. It was 9 pm and the sun was finally setting and as we approached the hostel we heard strains of hindi film music coming in from a shop. The hostel now had more colorfully attired youngsters with their bottles of poison. Loud music was playing and a person at the entrance marked our hands with a little tortoise for identity.

After our dinner of cakes, apples, cheese and ham, we passed of on our bunk beds. Brr it was cold and we had not rented the blankets so I slept in my green jacket.