It’s almost 12am on a Sunday in Dijon, France . Which meant that there was nothing open.
It was dark, raining and cold out. With only 2 hours until our next bus arrived we found the nearest hotel restaurant/bar to wait at until it was closer to the bus arrival time.
We stretched out as many drinks as we could until the bar was ultimately closing and we were politely asked to leave.
With about 35 minutes left until our bus arrived we gathered our bags and quickly made our way across the street and over to the train station. There were two taxis that were waiting near the entrance, about 5-7 people were just hanging outside drunk, homeless or lost. One other person actually had a suitcase that was waiting outside.
We decided to go inside to use the restroom before the 2 1/2 hour bus ride back home, because bus bathrooms are just a no-go zone. We walk in and the station is pretty much abandoned, there are lights on and a few people in a waiting room with their luggage.
We were about to turn to the left towards the restroom and then the scariest security lady stopped us and asked in English what we were doing. We responded that we were going to use the restroom. She said that the restroom was closed and then diligently escorted us out of the train station with her dog. After we stepped outside the security guard was at the door for several minutes staring at us.
We were frustrated that we could not use the restroom and a little frightened by the security guard’s attitude. We also thought it was strange that there was other people waiting inside the train station but, we were forced to leave. Regardless of the situation we were tired and ready to be home, so we found some beach style chairs to sit in until our bus arrived.
About 10 minutes after the lady kicked us out of the train station, this random gray car with tinted windows pulled up onto the sidewalk area. Two men got out of the car and I thought that they were going to approach the couple across from us that had a dog and appeared a little sketchy. NO. They approached us and asked us, once again in English, what we were doing. And we responded that we were exchange students waiting for our 2am OuiBus to go back to Nancy. He simply said okay have a safe trip and goodnight.
I guess the scary guard lady was more scared of us than we were of her, because she called the police. And the police that approached us were in an unmarked car and not in uniform, so that was a little alarming but the guy was nice and not nearly as concerned as the security guard.
The next day we found out that there had been a single stabbing incident at a train station in the south of France that day. Which could explain why security was taking extra precautions.
In the moment the situation seemed like an inconvenience and a bit odd to say the least, but looking back I am glad, that they were taking security seriously rather than not caring at all.