Saturday, 29-June-2024


I arrived at the train station in Prague a bit early – enough time to do a little bit of sightseeing of the outside of the glorious baroque train station that I found myself in. I look photos, oogled the detail and gilding of the exterior, then made my way inside to appreciate the air conditioning and people watching that the gallery / mall / station offered.

It’s been really neat, seeing so many Liminal Spaces – those places and areas that aren’t really a destination on their own, but are instead an interstitial place, an area to be between areas. Which feels strange, in context of train stations like this, since they’re so absolutely beautiful! They don’t fit that 2019-era “hotel hallway” aesthetic of a liminal space… but are still a location that isn’t really a destination of its own.

I’ve enjoyed my time in these spaces throughout my adventure. I have a great habit of arriving with time to spare – in the case in Prague, I arrived about 90min early… with a full 60min before the train’s platform was even assigned. That gives a sense of calm that I really enjoy – I can’t rush, because I’m simply waiting. I can read, people watch, or simply sip coffee and nibble at a pastry like I did in Prague.

Soon enough, though, I was on the train and being whisked onward to my Maternal Grandfather’s boyhood home. The city that had spurned him, but had welcomed me back with open arms.

Vienna awaited.