Hamburg to Prague day. 12/5/2026.

Today was a travel day and I loved it.

There that was it.

Like really loved it. Blissfully so.

Oh, you want the details?

Ok.

Heres what happened first thing this morning. I wrote it here as a bonus piece.

I gave this the morning. It was important to. Just had to be given space.

I got to the station at Hamburg in the wet rain. The first part to Berlin was rather uneventful, I wrote most of the piece above. It rained most of the way. I listened as a large group were given a special DBF tour guide. She had a bag that had a cute message about creativity, which she let me take a photo of. That was about it. But, after the heavy head stuff of the last two days. The loving awareness I gave my fawn response, a gentle calmness arrived. I could immediately feel the tension disappear. I felt light.

I received 2 donations for food and drink, from MW and anonymously. So when I had an hour as planned at Berlin, and at the DBF station which was an amazing building, I walked across the front to the food market and had this. Mexican food in Berlin, with a beer. THANK YOU. And everything felt good, calm, and very good. It was almost as if my travel adventure was about to actually start.

And that was the morning. The Love was for my trauma response, and my stomach with the nice vegetarian food, and the treat was a beer at lunchtime. Just felt good to have. All just felt settled. Right. Good.

Then the afternoon.

The Train ride from Berlin to Prague.

Trains 2 today. 577 km. Total km of whole trip so far 1860km Time on trains 17hrs 54 mins. Use of train toilet 4. (but so far they’ve been better than any in the UK)

First things first, it was on a brand new loco pulled train. New seats, plush, shiny, new.

It was fairly empty.

And, the scenery was just stunning.

This was the journey I had most been looking forward to, this was the train ride I booked especially. I wanted to go to Prague, and I wanted to do this line. For about 2 hours it followed the Elbe river. Village after terracotta or pink house nestled in the hill side, yellow/white square houses. rustic. Yes. Eastern European rustic. All after the southern part of Germany, Bremen.

Ive done Scottish railways, and this was in the ball park for the view.

Then the weather gave it the beans.

I definitely moved from my reserved seat to the other side of the train, river side. When the rainbow appeared there were audible gasps throughout the carriage and the sound of 10’s of phones placed against the glass. It was double in parts, and other times it was as if the train was creating the rainbow effect with the sunlight. Just stunning.

The ride was stunning enough without the rainbow. A train ride along the length of a river. Was mesmerisingly relaxing, as the train glided at around 70-100k around corners, it was relaxing, calming, meditative. Blissful. Sometimes stops or slowly trawling through stations and other trains would be in view.

I love trains, I always have done. So seeing trains of not the usual shape a sizes, the UK variety is fascinating to me.

Scotland, my ancestral home gets another look in. Unbeknown to me, Dundee sandwiches are now Hummus, Tofu and Salad. How things have changed in the north east of Scotland. Them deep fried mars bars are clearly a thing of the past. But I love Scotland. Fascinating that the scenery and the food took me there.

The heavens open with more rain as we get to the outskirts of Prague. A city I have always wanted to go to. Why? Well, from the ages of 8-13 I had a penpal who lived in Czechoslovakia, before it split into the 2 countries now, he and wrote monthly and I heard from a Childs pint of view the effects of the political struggle. I sent him old Man Utd jerseys in the post. Kiri was his name. So this places has always fascinated.

As soon as I stepped off the train. I fell in love. Above the practical shopping area of the station and stained glass roof. The a walk through the old town. Just Look at this place. Compared to Hamburg it had vibrancy, colour, history shouting, ornateness, AND FREAKING CUTE TRAMS. I make no apology, but look at these!!! The rain made everything bright. Shiny. Glorious.

I was beaming before I even dumped my stuff and gone out for a proper walk.

After some weird key security arrangements, I got into my air bnb for 2 days, it’s cosy, it has a balcony, and a washing machine, and is just lovely. I wanted a cute cosy space for me. Self love and all that. After the dog conversation of earlier. These were on the wall as I arrived. Thank you universe. Then I hit the town with the camera, found some delightful noodles (£9!), boba tea, and now chilling out writing this on the double bed.

Today everything feels calm, good, I feel secure and back in the zone. The weekend was frantic and fractured. Today has been restorative. It’s funny in a way, after two travel days I felt I needed a non travel day, yet doing the city thing came with all manner of thinking decisions. Today, was just get on two trains and eat food. So, my decision, thinking time fill choice head space didnt have to do any work. I instead went deep, as you read above. And what tends to happen after facing the shadows, and loving them, its that lightness and security comes back. It’s more than that, I feel aroused by life, I feel the energy of this city, its colour, its pinks, purples, people taking photos, a city of life and character. Love at first bite is kind of cute, fun and a little spicey. Kind of fits my mood, fun, joyful and flirting with life in its fullness. Clouds only in the sky.

Im seriously loving the vibe here. It fascinating how a place and a head space coincide so much. Here feels bouncing, vibrant, colour. I feel it, I feel the energy of it.

Trains, Trams and Prague. Thats been today. With some inner work that I had to do.

The Airbnb host has kindly left instructions of the best way to enjoy Prague, including tram rides. I think thats tomorrow sorted. Camera is being charged. Tomorrow is Prague day in the full. Tram joy may be happening too. Hope it’s an old one.

One load of clothes washing has been done. Anything else from today?

Some nice food. yes. But the bliss moment was the train ride, and the happy smily joy moment was the first 30 minutes in Prague.

Thank you for reading this, and the previous parts of this series. Thank you for your comments and appreciation, and for the gift donations for drinks and food. All so so much appreciated, thank you.

Prague tomorrow (or today as you read this)

If you’d like to buy me a Czech coffee, or beer, or food – you can do so here. Thank you – Love you all

James