Between Berlin and Zaragoza
My day started off more stressful than planned.
I actually knew that the clocks were going forward an hour during the night. No problem, I thought to myself. My smartphone changes the time automatically. Perfect, then.
Where I went wrong: I assumed the time change happens at midnight.
Instead, I was woken up at 1:50 AM – and ten minutes later, it was suddenly 3:00 AM.
Not ideal. I had actually wanted to be at the airport by this time, especially since I had checked luggage and didn’t want to stress myself out.
At the airport, everything went surprisingly smoothly at first. Around 6:00 AM I was on the plane, and a few hours later I landed in Barcelona.
That’s where the first little reality check began.
It was my first time traveling with checked luggage, so I had correspondingly little experience. So I did the obvious thing: I just followed the other passengers.
Stupidly, they all seemed to have different destinations.
In the end, I stood with a small group at a baggage carousel that was suspiciously empty. After about 15 minutes, a staff member finally approached us and explained – at least I assume so, my Spanish still needs work – that we were at the wrong terminal.
So: take a bus, change terminals, get my bearings again.
Ten minutes later, I was standing in the next area and starting all over again. Look for the baggage carousel, check the screens, hope.
Except: My flight didn’t show up anywhere.
So I walked past all 14 or so baggage carousels. Without success.
Only then did I get the idea to ask a staff member – which I definitely should have done earlier. The answer: wrong terminal.
Again.
So, back I went. One more time.
When I finally had my luggage, it was clear: the relaxed start was definitely over.
I had to be at the bus station in Barcelona at a specific time – my bus wasn’t going to wait.
With a gym bag, a small backpack, and a large travel backpack, I set off. After just a short time, I realized: this combination is anything but suitable for long distances.
Lesson learned: either pack less – or next time just bring a rolling suitcase like everyone else.
After a bus and metro ride, I finally arrived at the bus station. It was about 11:00 AM by then, and I hadn’t eaten anything except for a coffee – so I quickly went to get something.
In hindsight: not a good decision.
Because when I went to the departure board afterwards to find my bus, it wasn’t there.
No time for the line at the information desk. So I started systematically walking through all the departure areas.
Right at the end, in the farthest corner, I saw it.
“Zaragoza”.
My bus.
At the exact moment it was driving away.
Plan B.
Luckily, there are also trains to Zaragoza. So I headed to the Barcelona Sants train station and bought a ticket.
There, I immediately noticed a difference from Germany: you don’t just walk into the train station. The entrance is gated off, similar to the metro. You can only enter with a ticket – although there is a gate that opens without one because the ticket counters are in the secured area.
In addition, luggage is scanned beforehand, almost like at the airport. And tickets aren’t checked on the train, but before boarding.
Once inside, things finally quieted down.
The train ride was relaxing – for the first time that day, I could really take a deep breath.
Arriving in Zaragoza, I was greeted right away by an agency staff member and taken to my accommodation.
It was located in a quiet area and equipped with everything you need to live.
Finally arrived.