Just Call Me Harry

I absolutely love trains. Love them. And they're not even exactly what I thought they would be (as nothing portrayed in movies ever is, duh). I, of course, was picturing cute little compartments to sit in and privately watch the scenery with my friends. False. More like nice, comfortable airplanes (not that those exist, but then again, I've only ever ridden coach). Seats 2x2, with little pods of 4 facing each other and a table in the middle. Those are my favorite. I especially love riding the opposite direction than the train is going; I don't know, it's just something about going against the way you're supposed to that is appealing. This works out well, because Jessica likes to ride the way the train IS going, make sure her equilibrium is right. I love that trains are (mostly) quiet. People don't (aren't supposed to) talk- most people sleep, read, listen to music, or just sit. It really is lovely. But the best thing I like about trains is simply putting on my iPod, listening to The Weepies, and staring out the window. So we've only been in France so far, but we've covered a fair bit of it, and it's gorgeous. It makes me so pensive, and then makes me want to write. I've filled quite a few pages in my journal just sitting on trains and thinking about our travels, etc. while listening to chill music. The following are three short entries from the very first train I took:

January 23

Green. Beautifully green, softly rolling hills, reminiscent of Tolkien. It is just before sunrise in the French countryside outside of Paris. Every so often there are dots of houses, lit from those waking to the new dawn. "Living in between sunset, and sunrise." Yeah, I'm OK with that.


What? Like, What? It still hasn't hit yet. We pass by a flock of sheep on a hill, followed by what appears to be a many-hundred year old farmhouse. And everything, including the picturesque small towns we pass, is covered in the perfect gray fog. "Your hands are cold"- type morning mist. Beyond incredible. And I am sitting on a train(!), taking in all the sights.


Note to self: don't sit on train cars with babies. Probably be safe to avoid kids too.