I went to Strasbourg France, catching a train from Zurich. My trip to France was the best, absolutley perfect.
Except, for one small thing that could have been a disaster, especially due to the fact I cannot speak or read French.
There was train strike that was due to happen on a specific day at a specific time (which happen to be the day I was to leave back to USA). This was posted all over the train stations, newspapers, etc.
A french woman who could speak good english, said the day before the strike, there is will be a train strike. I said, as a dumb American, "oh, I am sure that is a threat and will not really happen." She then tells me that it has been planned for over 2 weeks and advertised to prepare travellers.
All things worked out, but.......when in the train stations in France, just ask "is there a strike this week?"