I’VE DONE the Eurail Global Pass twice already.
In 2017, it was ride all the trains you want in Europe within 30 days.
This year, it was 10 travel days in two months anywhere in Europe.
***
A similar promo is available with the Amtrak trains in the US.
It’s called the US Rail Pass for $499.
It’s for 10 lines or travel destinations within 30 days.
Not a bad deal at all.
Of course, I’m interested.
Therefore, I purchased the pass.
Let the fun begin.
***
Two weeks ago, I decided to buy my air tickets for the trip to the Philippines.
I scheduled it for the end of July.
I probably could have gotten it cheaper if I booked something for August.
But I wanted to catch an aunt in the Philippines before she flies off somewhere.
So, end of July it was.
***
I also wanted a five-country South American tour in 29 days.
I mean, I only wanted Peru’s Machu Picchu for a while.
But seeing the tour packages, South America for $12,000 didn’t look so bad.
But I hesitated.
And once I have decided on it, there was no more availability for it in June or even July.
The next available tour with a slot for a solo traveler like me is in August and September.
Now, that screws up my flight to the Philippines.
***
So, I settled for a 9-day tour of Peru with a Machu Picchu highlight.
This was the original dream, anyway.
Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Ecuador are not in the stars this year.
Maybe they are all the more reasons to stay alive throughout this pandemic.
***
With the Machu Picchu holiday fixed closer to my departure for the Philippines, I had a good 37 days available in my hands.
So, I decided to buy the Amtrak package.
Wherever I go now is the next question.
But this much I know: I’ll probably visit the cities and states that I’ve never been.
Maximize the ten trips to my heart’s content in 30 days or less.
And try to end up in Los Angeles which will be my base for a while.
***
I chose Los Angeles as the point of origin for my Peru trip because Baltimore to Lima is a little expensive; even if probably nearer.
And to be honest, the tour agency’s convenient airports are only Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, et cetera.
Baltimore is not on the list.
***
I’m excited to take Amtrak from the American east coast to the west.
Despite so many plans, I’ve never really done a transcontinental USA by land.
This is my chance.
Not by a private car. Not by bus.
But by train.
***
I’m sure driving your car is the best experience of it.
But that ship has sailed for me.
I have already given away my car.
Bus would have been a cheaper option.
But I was told that the bus can be uncomfortable.
***
My brother extolled to me the advantages of the American trains, Amtrak in particular.
He has already done transcontinental from Los Angeles to Baltimore.
I can do that straight route: from Baltimore to Los Angeles.
But why do it that simply when I can have the luxury, and the adventure of 9 other stops in 9 possibly new cities for me.
***
And so, the preliminaries of the great journey is set.
What happens next is up to me, and my sense of adventure. Haha.
As I write this, I just bought the ticket and I’m still a little giddy from the decision.
This piece is written in advance, as in the other pieces before and after this, because I don’t really want to worry about deadlines.
I’ll probably write while on my journeys.
But between writing and watching the world around me, I prefer to observe.
And observing life is even more fun on the trains.
***
I will not say that I don’t have much money.
Or, at least, I won’t correct people’s impression that I’m filthy rich.
They can float rumors that I inherited a lot from my late husband’s estate, or that I won the lottery in the US.
I will no longer stress myself denying anything.
***
I will nod my head when people say I’m rich.
Because, in truth, I have time, I have some money to spare, and I have a great sense of adventure.
Again, the US Rail Pass is just $499.
Anybody who has worked in the US for over three years has $500.
But do they have the time and the courage to enjoy that $500 in train rides?/PN
