Not quite.
In Germany I got a chance to brush up on my wenig (little) Deutsch language skill (or lack of) - that I had started learning 20 years ago and only kept at it for a year or two after. So it was beyond rusty would be an understatement.
When faced with common signage it was hilarious at first but then we sort of got the hang of it.
Every railway station had the customary 'Abfahrt' listings (Departure Times) on a sheet of paper dedicated to a Gleis (or Track aka platform for which all the train departures would be listed for all days for all hours).
Then when it was time to check the train's actual arrival you looked at the signage overhead which showed how many minutes out it was and as it was imminent it changed to 'Sofort' or arriving.
Each long distance train runs like an airplane ready to depart with a uniformed crew that arrives minutes before they have to haul ass and take the train on what could be a 12 to 15 hour journey (in which case the train likely crosses from Germany into another country).
Members of staff serve multiple roles from serving Cafe to Checking tickets to perhaps maintaining general upkeep of the train and answering ignorant tourist questions.
So once we landed on the next destination we arrived at the 'Einfahrt' (or the gateway) to that city. Whereupon we would need to look for the 'Ausgang' signs to exit the platforms to the street.
When walking on the side of the road there would be many a 'Eingang' signs which meant that it was the entrance to a specific establishment.
Some could actually have been biker gang (mustachioed large gents drinking suds) hangouts but not that I ventured into each open doorway.
Each city in Germany tends to have their own government or local administration offices that are housed in elaborate structures called the 'Rathaus' (I mean for such an eminent building the name does no justice I say).
Meanwhile if you had to use the loo at any place other than the train (for which you paid a ticket price already) look to spend almost the equivalent of 1 USD at today's Euro to USD rate. Leak or a dump - no matter - it is spendy if you eat like I do and have to balance the fluids often.
Most travelers are savvy and will use the loo on the train before abfahrting out to the street.
In Germany I got a chance to brush up on my wenig (little) Deutsch language skill (or lack of) - that I had started learning 20 years ago and only kept at it for a year or two after. So it was beyond rusty would be an understatement.
When faced with common signage it was hilarious at first but then we sort of got the hang of it.
Every railway station had the customary 'Abfahrt' listings (Departure Times) on a sheet of paper dedicated to a Gleis (or Track aka platform for which all the train departures would be listed for all days for all hours).
Then when it was time to check the train's actual arrival you looked at the signage overhead which showed how many minutes out it was and as it was imminent it changed to 'Sofort' or arriving.
Each long distance train runs like an airplane ready to depart with a uniformed crew that arrives minutes before they have to haul ass and take the train on what could be a 12 to 15 hour journey (in which case the train likely crosses from Germany into another country).
Members of staff serve multiple roles from serving Cafe to Checking tickets to perhaps maintaining general upkeep of the train and answering ignorant tourist questions.
So once we landed on the next destination we arrived at the 'Einfahrt' (or the gateway) to that city. Whereupon we would need to look for the 'Ausgang' signs to exit the platforms to the street.
When walking on the side of the road there would be many a 'Eingang' signs which meant that it was the entrance to a specific establishment.
Some could actually have been biker gang (mustachioed large gents drinking suds) hangouts but not that I ventured into each open doorway.
Each city in Germany tends to have their own government or local administration offices that are housed in elaborate structures called the 'Rathaus' (I mean for such an eminent building the name does no justice I say).
Meanwhile if you had to use the loo at any place other than the train (for which you paid a ticket price already) look to spend almost the equivalent of 1 USD at today's Euro to USD rate. Leak or a dump - no matter - it is spendy if you eat like I do and have to balance the fluids often.
Most travelers are savvy and will use the loo on the train before abfahrting out to the street.
I do recall the abfart signs in Germany, and must have acceded to the command too (that I don't remember too well).
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