An Unexpected Lesson Learned on a 17-Hour Night Train
In 2009, I traveled to Munich on a 17-hour night train and learned an unlikely lesson. My friend, Dan, and I were living in Rome and decided to take the train to Oktoberfest. I should have said no, but I love booze-filled adventures. What I learned was unexpected and life-changing.
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Jamie Russo
Building https://t.co/XVXKXGoujR to $50k/mo. Tweets about the journey. Author of The Underdog Paradox.
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In 2009, I traveled to Munich.
— Jamie Russo (@jamierusso) March 9, 2023
On a 17-hour night train.
I learned an unlikely lesson.
Time for a story: pic.twitter.com/MDBlMiQgMb -
I was living in Rome.
— Jamie Russo (@jamierusso) March 9, 2023
The epicenter of art and history.
Oktoberfest called my name.
I should have said no.
But I love booze-filled adventures. -
My budget was tight.
— Jamie Russo (@jamierusso) March 9, 2023
Flights weren't an option.
Trains were a cheap alternative.
17 hours from Rome to Munich.
My friend, Dan, joined me. -
We arrived in Munich at sunrise.
— Jamie Russo (@jamierusso) March 9, 2023
Streets lined with festival-goers.
The drinking commenced.
That's when I learned lesson #1.
It's never too early to drink. -
I tried calling Dan.
— Jamie Russo (@jamierusso) March 9, 2023
But my Nokia had zero minutes.
I borrowed a phone from a stranger.
Lesson #2:
In 2009, carry a calling card -
My phone call went through.
— Jamie Russo (@jamierusso) March 9, 2023
I joined my friends at Hofbräuhaus.
We ordered 10 liters for the table.
Lesson #3:
1 liter ≈ 3 beers pic.twitter.com/y1sveYwbZh -
4-5 beers deep.
— Jamie Russo (@jamierusso) March 9, 2023
I needed to pee.
It was the last time I saw my friends.
Lesson #4:
Always stick together. -
On my way to the bathroom.
— Jamie Russo (@jamierusso) March 9, 2023
I made a wrong turn.
Lost, I panicked.
Lesson #5:
If you have to pee, hold it. -
I wandered out of the tent.
— Jamie Russo (@jamierusso) March 9, 2023
Into an endless sea of people.
A festival in full force.
Lesson #6:
In a life-or-death situation, run. -
I scurried to safety.
— Jamie Russo (@jamierusso) March 9, 2023
Wandered the fairgrounds.
I didn't have my hotel's address.
Lesson #7:
Print your itinerary. -
Out of nowhere, it appeared.
— Jamie Russo (@jamierusso) March 9, 2023
A hostel from hell.
It smelled like barf and old lettuce.
Lesson #8:
Avoid $10/night hotels. -
The next day, bangin' headache.
— Jamie Russo (@jamierusso) March 9, 2023
I made my train with moments to spare.
17 hours back to Rome.
Lesson #9:
Night trains intensify hangovers. pic.twitter.com/7QCjaiRQ89 -
9 life lessons:
— Jamie Russo (@jamierusso) March 9, 2023
• Night trains intensify hangovers
• In a life-or-death situation, run
• If 2009, carry a calling card
• It's never too early to drink
• If you have to pee, hold it
• Avoid $10/night hotels
• Print your itinerary
• 1 liter ≈ 3 beers
• Stick together -
Thank you for reading.
— Jamie Russo (@jamierusso) March 9, 2023
Follow me @jamierusso for more.
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