I wake at 3am because the annoying Russian hostel roommate comes home and drunkenly stumbles home clattering into things everywhere and fumbling with the light switch. This wouldn’t be so bad if I had not got back an hour earlier and am now wide awake again. He settles in and begin snoring loudly within 10min. I insert my noise cancelling headphones in frustration and play some soothing classical music.. too 
soothing it won’t drown out his snoring, I throw my shoe to the floor 30cm from his head which stops the snoring for a moment. 2min later it starts up again with renewed vigour and i switch to some Debussy and eventually drift off again. The next morning i collect my stuff and head off on the train to Baden, a sleepy thermal springs town – just the place to relax and unwind from busy Basel. Thanks to the efficient rail network this works problem free. I arrive and walk out to the map of Baden, I have already booked a night in a charming little B&B near one of the sulphur springs. I stare at the map unable to reconcile it with the one in my head or to find the right street. Ok, I think, I have this one covered – whipping out my GPS and feeding in the info... no such street?? Huh. Ok, this time i whip out the laptop and look at the reservation.. yep... Ohhh hang on Baden AUSTRIA? I’m in (quick glance at the flags above me) yep Switzerland. BUGGER! Ok, phone roams well with good international rates no worries ring them up and cancel, so far so good – still in control. Whip out my next technological marvel... eReader with lonely planet Switzerland on board.. hostel reads “one of the best locations in Switzerland” Ok, lucked out.. off I go. 2km downhill i get to the hostel and it looks nice but this is spoilt by the sign that reads “Closed till 12.3.11” Grrr ok what else does this town have to offer? I head back to the centre of town, may as well look at the sights on the way... pack starting to get heavy. It Starts to Rain, not too heavy. I look around but can only find places in excess of 300 Dollars, while i could be convinced to spend 300 on a night it would have to be something MUCH better than the sort of dilapidated places I’m staring at. Next, past 
a castle ruins... may as well look at them – Damn there are a lot of stairs, 20kg my ass must have at least 35 kg by now. It starts to rain properly now. Funny it was supposed to snow, is that good or bad? Back to the train station, consult phone, Wifi... and it’s free. Brilliant! Page won’t display on phone. That’s ok I have the laptop. Log in check on line... nothing. Ok, maybe i will go to Zurich a day early, Look for a place there. Everything booked, cheapest place 70 Euros with bad reviews. By this time my indomitable strength of spirit is starting to look dominable after all. The other thing wearing thin is my battery on the laptop. Ok, i will ring up the place I’m going to in Zurich... not open till 3pm. Next... Next... Next...... Ok, Switzerland is expensive and full so what if I go back to Germany I’m not that far from the boarder, and yes train tickets are cheap what about accom... Battery Critical, shutdown. Fuck!
Ok I’m at the train stain.. I’ll take the first reasonable train... It goes to Zurich. Watch IT crowd on the way on my phone, in a partially sucessfull attempt to lift my mood. Store my gear in a locker at Zürich HB, ready for a long escapade. First check the hostel (the only one open in town) even though the internet said no vacancy. Turns out they have room, sweet. Do some sightseeing on the way to the train station. Grab my gear pick up some supplies.Now I am back in the hostel, a glass of French wine (or two), a Block of Swiss cheese (Pilgerkäse) and an hour of Civilisation V. Much better than sitting around in a sticky puddle anyway. Breath, relax, winge to people on the internet. I am at Peace. Let’s see what tomorrow holds.
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