Train talk

There's something quite gratifying about taking the train. Perhaps as a Seattle slicker, I'm too used to driving or taking the occasional Joe Metro, but after staying here for a week and a half, I've come to really enjoy taking the transit system here.

I think it's the combination of the efficiency of transportation and the chance to immerse yourself in people watching, spacing out, or conversing with someone for a moment out of your busy day.

Today, Molly and I took a good 20 minute train ride down to Eastgate mall, and it was pretty relaxing to be able to sit back and trust that the train will take us to our destination without any traffic interruption, and if by some miraculous chance we were to get lost, we just had hop on board to the other side. But, more importantly, it allowed us to simply get to know each other. Instead of one of those water-cooler conversation two acquaintances usually had, we were able to face one another and comfortably talk. We shared life stories and discovered the commonalities between a Dallas girl and a Seattle girl. And, I found that speaking a different language from the locals had a perk, we didn't have to worry about any eavesdropping (at least, hopefully not).

Like coffee and cigarettes, I think trains have that ability to put you in a story telling mood, either within your head or aloud with someone else. Perhaps its the melodic sound of the metal tracks rolling underneath, or the gentle (well, and occasional jerking) rocking that puts you at ease, or simply because the seating layout forces you to face the other person, some of the most interesting conversation pieces can derive from this simple train setting.