The Balkan Express

Our journey on the Balkan Express from Sofia to Belgrade began with excitement and anticipation. We had heard tales of the scenic route through the Balkans and were eager to experience it for ourselves. Little did we know, the adventure awaiting us was far from what we had imagined.

Boarding the train in Sofia, we quickly noticed its age. The worn seats and creaky floors hinted at decades of service. As we settled in for what was supposed to be a six-hour journey, the train slowly chugged out of the station. The initial charm of the slow, old-fashioned train soon wore off as the hours ticked by.

It was a scorching summer day, and the train’s lack of air conditioning became painfully evident. The windows barely opened, offering little relief from the stifling heat. Passengers fanned themselves with whatever they could find, and the air inside the compartments grew thick and oppressive.

About two hours into the journey, we made our first unscheduled stop. It seemed harmless at first, but as the minutes turned into hours, frustration began to mount. The delay at the Bulgaria-Serbia border was agonizingly slow. Border officials meticulously checked each passport, moving at a snail’s pace, and the train stood still in the blazing sun.

The train’s toilets were a disaster. By the third hour, they were barely functional, and the smell permeated the compartments. We tried to limit our visits, but the heat and long wait made it inevitable. The experience was something out of a nightmare—dark, cramped, and unbearably unsanitary.

As night fell, we were still nowhere near Belgrade. The train crept along the tracks, stopping frequently without explanation. The passengers, initially chatty and excited, grew silent and weary. Conversations turned to grumbles and sighs of exasperation.

Finally, after twelve grueling hours, the lights of Belgrade appeared in the distance. We arrived at the station exhausted, hot, and relieved to be off the train. What was supposed to be a six-hour journey had doubled in time, testing our patience and endurance.

The Balkan Express from Sofia to Belgrade was a journey we would never forget—not for the scenic views or the charm of an old train, but for the unexpected challenges and the camaraderie that formed among the weary travelers. It was an adventure that tested our limits and gave us a story to tell for years to come.