Yes, We Have No Bananas

I am in Germany once more -- just. The train has reached the end of the line at the town of Perl and I am about to cross the Moselle river into Luxembourg. Another day, another border, although this one is just a little bit special. On the Luxembourgish side of the water is the village …

Dream on, Jean-Claude

I cross into France. Another day, another language. Here's a test of your school French for you. Is it le toilette or la toilette?  Don't think about it for too long; this is a trick question. Actually in this case it's academic because the lavatory on the train is hors de combat -- but the correct answer …

Miracle

I am standing on the north bank, of the Ludwigparkstadion in Saarbrücken. There isn't a game on and there won't be one for quite a while. FC Saarbrücken, the tenants,  have been thrown out and told to find temporary lodgings while the stadium is renovated. Progress has been slow; the stadium is still very much …

Sweet Sixteen

Anybody who regularly travels by train knows of Laird's Law, although they may not know it by that name. Laird's Law is an extension of Murphy's law related specifically to fellow train passengers: If you are sitting next to an idiot -- someone shouting into a mobile phone, rattling their brain cells with heavy metal …