2. Praha - Wien - Krakow

Finally the next sign of life from the Borderless Europe Rally. The fact that you didn't hear from us for a long time, doesn't mean that things aren't alright. Actually, things are going pretty well, despite of too many bribes, sleeping in a park and train delays.

Well, I'll start from where we stopped last time, Praha. After buying the last interrail tickets for some participants in a hurry we managed to catch the train at 14.39 to Wiena. Cagri from Turkey had to stay behind in Czech Republic. His visa was not valid for more than two entries but, he needed the second entry, because he also didn't get a visa for Ukraine, like many other people.

The first exciting moment was at the CZ border with Austria. One of the Romanians couldn't find his entry paper he signed at entry in CZ and which you have to show by exit. His passport was taken by the conductor and he didn't want to give it back before he saw the paper. A big searching action started and finally we found it, an other Rumanian had it in her possession. So the problem was easily solved.

After two hours in Wien, where the partipants had to find something to prove they had been there they went back to CZ. Next destination was Krakow in Poland. The trip started very well. Nice train and enough space. On the train was not the destination Krakow written, so we thought let's ask if it is really going directly. "Yes, yes Krakow" was the answer of the conductor. Till Lieke asked an other conductor. "No, no, we have to change at three in the night." After some confusion we were almost sure we had to change, so we did.

At three we waited with dozens of other people on the train to Krakow. An there it came, a train with... only two wagons. While the train was coming slowly to us, people forsaw the problem. They already opened the doors and jumped in it while moving. A big mess started with pushing people trying to get in the train. The train was already full and still half of the participants stood still outside. But our young and flexible AEGEE members knew how to deal with that.

First all the luggage through the window and after also the women were lifted up and pushed through the window. Men came after them. It costed some time but then all the students were in the train. Everyone stood side by side and could hardly breath or move. Even the toilet was filled with four persons. The challenge began!

Polish people even dronk in this unbelievable full train their enormous amounts of 'piwo', so that resulted in a trip to the toilet where they had to step over bags and people. How annoying. Then two other people had a good idea, to eat fish. Within some seconds whole the train smelled like catfood. After a delay we finally arrived in Krakow. Everybody was glad to see the other alive. Quickly we went to the hostel for a shower and a short nap. AEGEE Krakow gave us a warm welcome...

In co-operation with our main partner of the rally, Management Centre Europe (www.mce.be), we will keep you informed regularly about the latest developments.

Your Borderless Europe Rally/ MCE College 2000-Team
AEGEE-Utrecht and AEGEE-Europe