Brescia: Misadventures in Transporation

 Buon giorno,

My trip back was smooth, but betting to Brescia was a bit fraught. I wanted to take day trips, and finally the weather cooperated. It was a bit chilly, and it rained when I was on the bus but otherwise it was dry and sunny.

Brecia was recommended as a day trip from Verona because it's easy to get to (Ha!) and had a pleasant historic center.  Trains are frequent. I'd already got my city bus tickets and scouted out the bus stop. I set out early. A bus came along that listed the station as a stop. I got on. Bad choice. It did take me to the train station--eventually--but I got a tour of the Veronese suburbs. Then the driver stopped and messed around with the bus controls and took a break and had a snack. When we resumed the journey we went back the way we came. I was thinking I'd better get off when the next stop was the station.

Then we were met by the transportation police who were checking I.D.s and tickets. Of course, I had a ticket . . . . I just couldn't find it!  I showed her my passport. I think because I was a foreigner, she figured I was telling the truth about the ticket, and actually she was the one who spotted it. One of her collegues had a machine that showed I'd validated it. She teased me a little (which I deserved) and told me to keep the ticket in my pocket next time. This I did.

Then I was confused in the train station. I tried to use a machine to buy a ticket. It wanted a lot of personal information, but rejected my email address. Then I got in line at the ticket office. Someone told me that I had to take a number. I found the machine and got a number. A kindly Italian woman who spoke no English, took me by the arm and lead me to the line. It moved quickly. I got a ticket and off to the train.

It was an express to Milano calling at Brescia. I found a nice window seat and enjoyed looking at the lush green Italian countryside.  The conductor came around. Uh oh. My ticket was not valid on this fancy express train. He was actually pretty nice about it, but I had to get off at the next stop and wait. Fortunately not for long.  The pleb train was packed and I had to stand, but that was all right. The trip wasn't long.

Brescia is nicely sign posted, so I walked to the town center Piazza di Vittoria. I also snooted around a nearby market, but it was mostly clothes and household wares. Brescia's center is very pleasant, but there wasn't a lot to keep me there, so I took the metro back to the station.

And here I am at home.  While at the train station we were informed of a train strike, But I can get to my next destination by bus. I won't like this but Imma do it.

Ciao for now