How Missing a Train in Germany Became the Best Part of My Trip

Last week I went on a short job trip to Bonn, a beautiful city in western Germany. Once the capital of West Germany, Bonn still carries a quiet charm — a mix of history, culture, and riverside calm along the Rhine. It’s also the birthplace of Ludwig van Beethoven and home to several international organizations, giving it an interesting blend of tradition and global energy.

My trip didn’t exactly start as planned. I flew from Stockholm to Düsseldorf, with the idea of taking a direct train from the airport straight to Bonn. What I didn’t know when I booked the flight was that the last direct train of the evening would leave just five minutes after I landed.

Even though we landed 15 minutes early, I sprinted through the airport like a madman, racing down escalators and across terminals — only to miss the train by three minutes.

There I was, standing at the station with no direct route left. I quickly searched for alternatives and found one that included three different changes between trains and buses. It wasn’t ideal, but it was the fastest option.

So I hopped on the first train, still slightly out of breath. As the doors closed behind me, my phone buzzed: “Your connecting train is delayed by 50 minutes.”
That delay would throw off every other connection, meaning I’d likely be stranded somewhere along the way.

At that point, frustration started to creep in — that helpless feeling we all get when plans fall apart. Then, I noticed an older couple sitting nearby. Something told me to do the “old-school” thing — instead of burying myself in my phone, I decided to talk to them.

And that turned out to be the best decision of my trip.

They had lived in the U.S. for over 50 years, spoke perfect English, and — to my surprise — were also headed to Bonn! They kindly offered to let me tag along, guiding me through the changes. We ended up taking a tram together for about an hour and spent nearly two hours talking non-stop.

They were both in their 70s but had an incredible energy and spark for life. They’d just spent two weeks in Scotland and were now visiting Germany for a month. Last year they traveled to Japan. Their secret? “Travel, eat clean, and exercise.” Simple words — but they truly lived by them.

The man told me he had worked as an electrical engineer designing spacecraft motors (how cool is that?). Later, he quit to open his own jewelry shop — self-taught, just like his skills in martial arts and music. His wife, on the other hand, had been a lifelong traveler, having visited more countries than most people can name. Together, they were the definition of a power couple.

We talked about life, passion, curiosity, and how travelling keeps your spirit young. They reminded me why I love exploring new places — not just for the beaches, views, or food, but for these genuine human moments.

Before they got off — 15 minutes before my stop — they made sure I knew exactly where to go, even following my route on Google Maps to ensure I wouldn’t get lost. They waved goodbye with smiles that I’ll never forget.

That night, I realized something important: I probably could’ve figured everything out by myself if I’d just stared at my phone. But then I would’ve missed this amazing, unexpected encounter — one that turned a stressful evening into a memory I’ll carry with me.

You don’t have to travel to meet interesting people, but when you’re out in the world, you open yourself up to new stories, new lessons, and new perspectives. The magic of travelling isn’t always in the sights — it’s in the people you meet along the way.

So next time your plans go wrong or you feel lost, put down your phone. Look around. Talk to someone. You never know who might completely change the way you see the world. Do not forget, people are awesome!