The NMBS sucks.

I'm typing this entry in the Antwerp Central Station, after having missed three trains.

When I go from Mechelen (where I work) to Ekeren (where I live), I have a few options: either I take a train at 48 past the hour, in which case I can stay on the train until I'm home; or I can take another train, in which I have to change trains in Antwerp Central. Unless I take the train at 11 past the hour in Mechelen, which doesn't call in Antwerp Central, so I have an extra stop in Antwerp Berchem in that case.

Today, I just missed the 48' train when I arrived in the Mechelen station (as in, I saw it close its doors and leave), so had to wait for the next. Which was the 11' train. But it was a bit late.

When I arrived in Berchem, the train was still a bit late, and my connecting train (which leaves at 33') was just leaving (as in, I saw it close its doors and leave).

I took the next, which is only four minutes later. But those four minutes mean a great deal; when that train was coming to a stop in Antwerp Central on track two, I saw a train leaving on track 6. Take one guess which train I had to get.

So right now, I'm waiting for the next train home, which is over an hour later than the previous one. Better not miss it, too, since it's the last one for today.

I wish the NMBS would create some less frustrating timetables.