After a long night, woke up in Hamburg and got my train to Copenhagen. Not to go too crazy on all of you, but I have to write about this because it infuriated me so much at the time and it still frustrates me right now, almost a week later. I don't know if something really illegal was happening, but "polizie" came on board when we were going to get on the ferry to cross to Denmark and started asking those who "looked middle eastern" where they were from and more questions that I couldn't fully hear. He then checked the rest of the train, glanced at me and other white or Asian people, but never asked for our passports, stopped at an Iranian and asked for his passport. The police eventually escorted the Iraqis out and I sort of followed to see what might be going on. Went to the bathroom, came out and the guys were off the train. I have never seen anything like this before and it was really disturbing. I asked a worker right after it happened and specifically mentioned Iraqis and he said "it's routine. The police always do this." I don't think racial profiling is routine.
I spoke with the Iranian a while after and brought it up and he said that it's very hard to get Visas to other countries and coming from Iraq, Iran, or Afghanistan you have to have visas to most countries. So maybe it had something to do with that. I don't know, but it was extremely frustrating. They were discriminated against and pointed out in front of everyone on the train. The policeman was even yelling and being really mean about it...whatever....I guess, was frustrating and I don't know the facts.
Got into Copenhagen, found a store to buy some stuff for home. Got on the train for home around 4:30pm and arrived home in time to watch the end of the Packer game's live stats! Amazing trip overall and so glad I took the time!
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