Some Thoughts on European Train Travel

Note: this was written on Friday, June 13 on the train from Zurich to Strasbourg, France.
As I walked into the large central Zurich train station (HB) today on my way out of town, I uttered the words softly to myself, "I love this station!" It is full of life and vitality: it has lots of shops that are open when other stores have long closed in the city; grocery stores close early in Switzerland so if you need eggs or wine or bread, a quick trip to the Zurich HB or a stop in between trains will meet more than your transportation needs. The station is quite busy with almost 60 tracks carrying people all over the city, country and to other places in Europe. After spending so much time on the European trains (in Belgium, France and Switzerland), I have come to love the smooth, quiet, fast ride and on-time efficiency of this system - it is so much less stressful than flying - and so much more comfortable - to say nothing of the opportunity to actually see the country instead of flying over it! I have heard that the Italian trains are less efficient and I know from experience that British trains are not particularly quiet or smooth, but I am grateful to have this wonderful experience.