A Very Helpful Service
by Denis Kaufman

"When life gives you lemons, make lemonade" is never a truer axiom than when traveling. In late summer 1998, I was traveling by train from Stuttgart to Rome. I had to change trains in Munich and had only 14 minutes between connections. Normally 14 minutes is far less time than I am comfortable with to make a change of train, plane, or even bus. I wasn't worried though because the trains in Germany are almost always on time.

This time, however, the train was late by 20 minutes because of an accident that blocked the tracks near Augsburg. As my train pulled into Munich, I watched my connection to Rome pull out on the next platform. Once off the train, I headed for the ticketing office to reserve a seat on the next available train to Rome. While waiting in line, I noticed a newsletter on display from "EurAide," a travel assistance service for English-speaking travelers in Europe.

According to the newsletter, Inside Tracks, EurAide "treat[s] you as a whole person, someone wanting answers to public transport, housing, and travel concerns all at the same place. Although geared for users of train passes (such as Eurail, German Railpass, InterRail, and Europass), we know that these answers save every traveler lots of time." EurAide has two service centers, one in Munich at the Central Train Station (Hauptbanhof) and the other in Berlin at the "Zoo Station" (Banhof Zoologischer Garten).

EurAide operates a web site with links to train schedules throughout Europe, information on obtaining rail passes even on short notice, and answers to travelers' frequently asked questions. The newsletter also has lots of useful information on day hikes, local train excursions, and where to find a laundromat with machines that will wash and dry your clothes within the same day. Okay, that is an exaggeration, but European washing machines do work at a snail's pace compared to American machines.

While health problems during travel can be catastrophic, travelers are much more likely to encounter problems with train delays, missing luggage, and lost reservations--the sort of things that EurAide is uniquely positioned to handle. A strong case probably can be made that reducing travel stress is good preventive medicine in and of itself.

After I changed my train reservation, I visited the EurAide office and spoke with the owner, Alan Wissenberg. I observed the level of service they offered their customers, and it was quite impressive. The next time I travel in Europe, I will be in touch with EurAide before I leave.

To contact EurAide in the United States for rail pass sales, call (941) 480-1555 or write to EurAide, 327 Dulmer Drive, Nokomis FL 34275. For all other information or requests use EurAide's email address euraide@compuserve.com. In Germany, call (089) 59 38 89, fax 011 49 89 550 3965, or write to Am Gleis 11, Bahnhofplatz 2, D-80335 Munchen. EurAide's web site is at http://www.euraide.de.

(Courtesy of Health and Safety Publishing
on the web at www.prevmed.com )

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