The funny thing is I’ve saved all of these blog posts under completely different names, so apparently I haven’t found a naming structure I like. I writing this from the Club Car because the children sitting in front of me reclined the seats which makes it impossible to type.

Last night on the train was interesting. It was so stinking hot that I changed down to my base t-shirt and rolled up the pants legs on my track pants. At about 8:30 PM a kid on our train car threw up on himself and down the aisleway a bit. Needless to say it stunk. The attendants did a good enough job cleaning it up but they used a very potent cleaner with some Lysol. If you know me well then you might also know that Lysol gives me headaches. So that wasn’t very helpful.

About 10 minutes later I smelled a bit of cigarette smoke. It was at that time as well that the aircon cut off. Some idiot who was IMO drunk was smoking in the bathroom. This sets off an alarm, much like on an aircraft and shuts down the cars air con system. It was about 30 minutes after that when the train staff realized it wasn’t the best idea to be keeping up in a hot vomit furnace so they worked on getting the aircon actually working. After flicking the lights on and off in attempting to restart it (They were turned off to allow us to sleep) they got it working.

They proceeded to put the aircon on at full blast and subsequently I was forced to change back into warm clothes. I laid across the seat until I was awoken later when another passenger was picked up. I slept alright. At about 3 AM the lights flickered on and everyone awoke. We were about 20 minutes from our destination in Casino and there was a lot of activity. I got all of my things together and waited to deboard.

I could describe this method as controlled pandemonium. There were originally 5 coaches, 3 bound for Brisbane and 2 others making the normally scheduled local connections. There was a rush for the Brisbane buses as that is where most of the people were going. I hung back knowing that none of these buses would leave until the checked baggage was transferred. I also hung back because the number of people that were smoking in the relatively still air was shocking to me. I am allergic and it gave me a massive headache.

A sixth coach showed up not 5 minutes later, I was originally skeptical how all of us people were going to fit onto 5 coaches. I boarded and went to sleep. I remember that we stopped once to help another bus with a mechanical problem which was just code for a driver smoke break. Seriously these people love their smokes. I slept well on the bus. I woke up as we were arriving into Brisbane. It seemed like a normal city with a few standard skyscrapers and a highway. I collected my checked baggage which was incidentally loaded on my bus and headed into the large transit center.

As usual when heading into a new building I was a little disoriented. It took me a good 5 or so minutes to find the sign directing me to trains on the bottom floor. I went down and was directed by an attendant to platform 10, I made my way down to platform 10 and was surprised to find everything closed. I went to use the bathroom and finally the luggage center opened.  I checked my bag and went to go get a seat.

After the ticket counter wasn’t opened for 10 minutes (it was scheduled to open at 7, it was 7:45) I was directed by an attendant to go and get some breakfast. I went and got some Macca’s (McDonald’s) and had a delicious breakfast wrap with orange juice for $6. I then used the restroom and was depressed by the signs.

I boarded the train and dropped off my bags after getting my seat number. I then stretched a fair bit and finally sat down. I was impressed with the seats as they had more room than the previous train’s seats.

We set off and soon the train filled up. From here it got less fun. Luckily I didn’t have anyone sitting next to me and still don’t. (Crosses fingers) However this is made up for the one mother with 5 children sitting directly in front of me in addition to another group of 6 children a few seats back and a few others spread throughout the train. I don’t dislike children but they make a lot of noise and the mother ahead of me isn’t a good one.

I think they are an aborigine descent in some way. The mother and father are divorced. The mother is fairly heavy and doesn’t seem like that great of a mother. The 5 kids are loud and obnoxious and constantly seeking attention. It has made for a mind numbing day. Seriously if you are going to have kids be responsible with them. It’s rude to let them impact so many other people journeys.

I’ve been talking to an older fellow (early 50’s) throughout parts of the trip. I took a break from the Hell Car (the one with the damn kids in it) and sat in the buffet car for about 2 hours. Had good conversations with him, the usual ya know.

I had a pie to eat on the train and it was okay. Not the best. I have also been surprised at the number of black people that have been on this train. It is the most I have seen sense I left Atlanta.

Another interesting part of the journey has been the game chick or dude. It’s kinda a fun game to play, but it can get a bit disturbing. I’ve played it with myself a good 3 times on this one trip alone. Not a good sign.

Anyways currently the sun is setting. It is warmer here in Queensland so I am looking forward to tomorrow. Hopefully I’ll get to spend some time sitting on the beach. I am currently being treated to a wonderful smell of cheap perfume, bo from the girl sitting 2 down from me(in addition to at least two others in this car), and some interesting smells coming from the club car kitchen.

Please don’t think I sound entirely negative. I think I wrote it in this context because to be honest it wasn’t what I was expecting. I had been spoiled a bit by the KiwiRail journeys with their quietness and best of all their viewing platform. This train mainly intends to serve locals so it has been nice to see how Aussies live and interact.

As many of you probably know I also like experiencing new things. Especially social situations and learning new dynamics/phrases/etc. So for that this has been rather enlightening.

I hope to sleep well tonight. The middle armrest does not retract so it will definitely be in some sort of sitting up position. The sun I fully set now and I only see a little darkness through the trees.

Until later,

-Mathias