avatarJoe Guay - Dispatches From the Guay Life!

Summary

The narrative recounts a couple's unexpected detour on their train journey to Sitges, Spain, leading to an unintended adventure and reflections on travel mishaps.

Abstract

In an attempt to reach Sitges, Spain, the author and their partner mistakenly board an express train, bypassing their intended destination. Despite initial frustration and the challenge of navigating an unfamiliar train system on a Sunday with limited assistance, they eventually arrive in Sitges, a beautiful beach town. The experience prompts gratitude for public transportation and the kindness of fellow travelers, as well as a realization of the importance of adaptability and language skills when traveling. The author reflects on the enriching aspects of travel mishaps and the value of stepping out of one's comfort zone.

Opinions

  • The author expresses pride in their initial successful navigation to the correct train terminal in Barcelona, suggesting a sense of accomplishment in planning and communication.
  • There is a hint of self-deprecating humor regarding the overreliance on Duolingo for language proficiency and the subsequent surprise when the train does not stop at Sitges.
  • The author conveys a moment of self-criticism for not noticing that the beach-goers at the station did not board their train, highlighting the importance of situational awareness.
  • A comparison between the efficiency of the Spanish rail system and the "sad train affair" in America reflects a critical view of U.S. public transportation.
  • The author admits to feeling flustered and out of their element, particularly due to their age (over 45), when faced with the unexpected train stop and the need to communicate in Spanish.
  • There is an expression of gratitude and admiration for the Spanish train system and the culture's reliance on public transportation, as well as a silent prayer of thanks upon reaching Sitges.
  • The author shows appreciation for the diversity and inclusivity of Sitges, noting happy gay couples and frolicking tourists.
  • A sense of camaraderie is felt during the crowded return train ride to Barcelona, despite the discomfort, as all passengers had enjoyed the last hours of a summer day.
  • The author concludes with a philosophical stance on travel, acknowledging that mishaps and challenges are part of the experience and provide material for storytelling.

WORLD TRAVEL | LIFE LESSONS

The Road Less Traveled to Sitges, Spain

Accidentally outside our comfort zone

A portion of the lengthy beach promenade in coastal Sitges, Spain | Photo by Joe Guay

I was so proud of us — my partner and I successfully made it to the correct Barcelona train terminal. I’d opted to skip the machine in favor of a conversation with a real person to make sure we made it to the correct platform.

Dos boletos de train de… Sitges, por favor? (Roughly translated — Two train tickets for Sitges, please)

Ah, she nodded. It looks like my brief time on Duolingo paid off and I didn’t make a complete fool of myself.

And now Eddie and I were zipping south along the Spanish coast, drinking in the yellow beach umbrellas, the little beach coves, the people of Spain out for a Sunday early afternoon.

“This train doesn’t stop at Sitges.”

Our reverie was yanked out of the socket. We turned our heads to the gruff train attendant checking tickets.

“You’re on the wrong train — this doesn’t stop at Sitges.”

We were on the express…

And a few moments later, we were distressed as we sat there helpless and zipped past our beautiful beach destination.

I should’ve known better — we should’ve known better. We’d been standing on the correct train platform in Barcelona. That much had been double-checked, and we were happy to see families, couples and young people starting to gather with small umbrellas, mini ice chests, beach accouterments.

But how had my brain not registered that none of those beach-looking people actually stepped onto the train with us? Maybe we were so taken in by the Spanish rail system’s efficiency when compared to America’s sad train affair.

Look, the train is early! Um nope, it’s the train arriving before your train, doofus.

I now can recall a very brief flicker in the back of my brain as the train doors closed and those fab youngsters in the sunglasses were still congregating on the platform.

The alternative Barcelona day trip we’d pondered was Montserrat, the Benedictine monk mountain to the northeast, but somehow the beach was more what our tired sightseeing bodies needed.

At this moment however, we were zipping past beaches, but not our chosen beach. Jeez, how far south were we going to keep going?

It felt like an eternity at the time, but when we finally reached the first stop that our ticket allowed, we stepped out onto a pretty low-key, almost empty outdoor platform. Consulting the map now, I still don’t know the exact station we finally disembarked on.

Map of some Catalonia train routes | Photo by Wikimedia Commons

I want to say Tarragona, as that’s the next larger city that an express train might prefer, but even that looks pretty far. Was it this Sant Vincenc de Calders stop? Why would an express train go someplace so tiny?

The station was dusty and pretty uninhabited. Like the plains of Kansas in the U.S., dusty and uninhabited. Or at least it felt that way to us. Maybe we were inland a bit and no longer near the coast?

Ah yes, let’s consult another human with our stellar Spanish and get back. Oh… it’s Sunday and no humans are in the ticket booth today.

Using the ticket machine was no major problem, per se, but still, we were stuck with the platform issue. We didn’t want to be hasty and do a repeat, jumping on the first train that hit the winning platform a few minutes before our actual departure and getting taken elsewhere.

In the world of travel mishaps, this was all very minor, but somehow we were on alert, acting like we’d been dumped in the Sahara with no camel and no guide.

I get it, now there’s Google Translate and endless apps to assist in such a moment, but we were flustered. Over 45 and flustered!

It was time for bravery. Stepping onto the only northbound train idling nearby, I locked eyes with a young couple and a young man with his cute young daughter.

Esta… tren… va… uh… stop? …. uh… en Sitges? (Again, oh so roughly translated — This… train… go… um… stop… uh… in Sitges?)

Si, si, nods abound.

Ahhh, vindicated. Again, Duolingo wasn’t a complete waste.

Again I’m momentarily pissed at all the people back home who get frustrated that some Hispanic or Asian has “broken English.” It’s like, yeah, but they are at least trying to speak two languages! They’ve got more proficiency than you or I, most likely, sitting on our complacent butts, expecting the English-will-be-spoken mantra to prove true wherever our American asses go.

Thankfully, yes, these kind folks don’t misguide us, and about 35 minutes later we step off at our destination of Sitges.

And she does not disappoint. Miles of beach areas, piers and rocky outcroppings, warm Mediterranean waters, cold beers, happy gay couples and frolicking tourists and their children.

The beautiful beach town of Sitges, Spain | Photos by Joe Guay

We finished the afternoon walking up the steps to the majestic church perched at the northernmost part of the Sitges beach. I must say I gave a silent prayer of thanks that all had worked out. And also a prayer of gratitude and wonder at the Spanish train system, and a culture that relies on, funds and actually uses reliable public transportation.

It’s glorious! It’s as it should be!!

It’s, it’s…

It’s crowded.

Again, foiled by the train gods.

Here we are, on the last train heading north to Barcelona, at the end of a Sunday on a summer weekend, packed in like sardines — toasted and happy sardines, but body to body for 90 percent of the way. We’d all waited to get that last hour of a glorious summer day.

You can’t always win at the train game. I’m just grateful the game exists, despite the minor challenges.

Next time I’ll get the app, I’ll pre-plan a bit more, I’ll prepare.

But you can’t always have things go smoothly. What would we writers write about if they did?

Other pieces by this author you might enjoy:

This Happened To Me
Spain
Trains
Humor
Travel Memoirs
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