Getting Kicked off the Train

I caught an overnight train from Paris to Madrid. The reason I think I had to pay so much additional on my Eurail ticket was because everything was sleeping compartments. I remember reading the guide book that you had to get tickets validated and stuff before hand. So I was running around trying to figure the system out. The staff didn´t want to help (I´m guessing cause my French was terrible and they certainly weren´t going to play ball in English).

So I get onto the train and first up the ticket inspector comes along. An old guy, only speaks Spanish and nothing else. The other two people in the compartment with me were arabic, spoke a little English and a little Spanish. So they were translating, kinda, and the ticket inspector was erratic and animated.

He got me to write tommorrows date on the ticket. So I did. He then absolutely flipped out, spoke to the other guys and then walked off with my passport and ticket. I got really worried right about now.

Turns out with new security post 9/11, they collect everyones passport once you get on, and give it to you once you get off. I´m not nuts about this idea. What does someone else care if they lose your passport. The guy would return several more times and basically he is one of those people who are just stressed out all the time.

So I didn´t get kicked off the train but for a moment there thought I would - which would have been really bad to say the least! I got my passport back which was a real relief and went on my way.