Backpacking through Europe in 1994
Day 91 • December 6, 1994
Traveling from Rota, Spain to Bordeaux, France
Leaving Rota felt different than the other goodbyes.
Jeff had to be on base early, so we said our goodbyes at the apartment. It was quick and easy — mostly because we both knew we’d see each other again in just a couple of months when he came home to Kearney. That took some of the weight out of it. Vicky drove me to the station, and even that goodbye felt lighter than the others. She had been good to me during my time there, and I was grateful for it.
Once I was on the train, the day turned into the familiar rhythm of movement. I had hoped to take a direct train to Madrid, but the conductor hit me with an extra charge I wasn’t expecting. I paid it without much fight. I was too close to the end to let something like that derail me. The train cut across southern Spain under a bright sky, and I spent most of the ride watching the landscape change while my mind drifted between everything I was leaving behind and everything still ahead.
By early afternoon I was in Madrid, killing time between connections. I grabbed something to eat, bought a magazine, and found a quiet spot to sit. There was still one long leg left — the overnight train to Bordeaux — but for the first time in a while, the end actually felt close. Nine days. That was it.
I wasn’t in a rush to get there, but I wasn’t dreading the travel either. I was just ready to keep moving, one last time.
No Photographs from today - Travel Day
DAY 91 / 12-6-94
Traveling from Rota, Spain to Bordeaux, France
It’s only 3:45 in the afternoon, but being a traveling day, not too much should happen. I woke up at 5:30 [am] to tell Jeff goodbye. It was pretty easy, since he’ll be in Kearney in February. I went back to sleep until 7:30.
Vic took me to the station. We were there by 8:15. My train to Sevilla left at 9:30, & there I would change for Madrid. But on a hunch I asked if there was a direct train leaving sooner. There was, in 10 minutes. Just enough time for a cup of coffee and saying goodbye to Vicky.
It was a bullet train, & I had saved 600 pesetas in case I needed to take one today. But the conductor was saying the fee was 2,400 pesetas! I didn’t know if I lucked out last week or if this guy was boning me over. I tried to argue but this guy was insistent and angry.
Well, Jeff & Vicky had given me some money ($100!!!) because they didn’t want me traveling broke. I accepted it only if they promised to take it back in February. So since I had the money & didn’t want any hassles this close to being done I paid the full 2,400.
Oh well, it took me right to Madrid. I had to take the metro to the station where I’m at now. I was here at 2 [pm] & my train to Bordeaux leaves at 6:15 [pm]. I bought myself a hamburger for lunch, a Newsweek to read & a postcard for Tracy. Now I just have 2 more hours to kill.
Countdown: 9