So I did it! I got my nervous rear-end on a train and took a six hour train ride! I may have not been able to sleep the night prior because of the nerves… but I made it. I also took the metro in order to get to the station, so double points for that right? I think that perhaps what I am really afraid of is getting on the wrong train and getting lost. Because as I took the metro in the morning I had a brief moment of panic thinking that perhaps I was heading in a completely different direction than I was supposed to be heading. But I made it to the station, and I made it on the right train!
Just in case anyone is wondering, six hours is a really long time to be on a train… really long. Especially when you are too nervous to use the bathroom for fear that someone will mess with your stuff (I eventually relented, bringing my baggage with me to the tiny moving bathroom, yes I am that crazy). But it was along the cost, and truly lovely. There were times when I could look out one window and see beautiful trees with branches that gnarl in on themselves growing out of rocky hills, and then I could look across the aisle out the other window and see the waves of the ocean crashing against the sand. I couldn’t help but feel a certain amount tranquility, which in turn made me feel uncomfortable because of its sheer foreignness… sigh baby steps.
One of the best things about the trip was actually the outpouring of support. Throughout the day I received countless texts messages from friends who wanted to tell me that they we’re proud of me. It really is amazing to have people who know that my confidence cup does not runeth over, so they pour some of theirs into my cup. I am a very lucky girl!
There was one rather strange conversation that occurred behind me between two older women and the train conductor. I think he was trying to flirt with the women, but somehow he ended up talking to them about dead birds, earthquakes and the need to hoard food. I am not sure that Armageddon talk is the best thing to lead with if you are trying to impress someone, but I consider myself very fortunate to have witness a person try!
I was met by the open arms of my friend when we reached my stop, and that of course made the stress I have been feeling the past week totally worth it. By the time I got to my destination I was desperately ready to get off the train, but I did have an incredible sense of pride.
Now I’m anticipating the trip back… let the stress begin.
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