I took a 52-hour Amtrak train ride from Chicago to California by myself. Here are 11 things that surprised me most.

I didn't know what to expect from such a long Amtrak ride, but it wasn't bad.Sojourner WhiteI took a solo 52-hour Amtrak train ride from Chicago to Emeryville, California, for the first time.The ride didn't seem as long as I expected, and I didn't feel too lonely, even as a solo traveler.

I was pleasantly surprised by the food options and how eating with strangers wasn't that awkward. Even as an avid air traveler, I didn't know what to expect when I embarked on this 52-hour cross-country train ride from Chicago to Emeryville, California.I'd booked a roomette for the trip aboard Amtrak's California Zephyr, which is said to take one of the most scenic routes in the US.

My trip was filled with surprises — some more pleasant than others.My roomette felt smaller than I anticipatedThe space felt quite cramped.Sojourner WhiteIn my opinion, booking a roomette was the best investment on this trip since it made the ride more comfortable.

However, I was surprised by how small I felt once I was inside, which included two seats that transformed into beds.Considering a roomette is designed for up to two adults with two seats that transform into beds, I thought it would feel a little bigger. I'm only 5'1" and didn't feel like I had much space to spare once my bags were tucked inside.

Still, I was glad to have a place to lie flat and sleep and a flat surface to place my computer on. At first, falling asleep was a bit challengingAs someone who can fall asleep anywhere, the first night on the train was surprisingly rough.I curled up on the bottom bunk in my roomette, and the ride felt especially bumpy.

I woke up a few times but eventually fell back asleep.Thankfully, I think my body got used to the train's swaying and rocking. The next night was a much smoother sleeping experience.

In the end, I took more naps on the train than I have in a while and felt well-rested the entire time. Sleeping more helped the time pass, too.I didn't miss having WiFiI didn't end up using my personal hot spot