Yesterday I missed my train, again. Not a big deal at rush hour though, because there's one that comes along a few minutes later. Actually, it was kind of strange, I got to the station, looked at the board and it said proceed to track 3A. Which I did, except that I got lost. I could quite clearly see on a board that 3A was supposed to be somewhere, but then, I couldn't see just exactly where it was. So, I stood near the sign and spun around looking for where it might be, and then I'd look back at the sign. Who the hell knew that commuting was going to be so damned hard? Eventually a nice man asked me if he could help and directed me to the track I was looking for. I got there just in time to see the damned train pull away.
However, on the elevator with me were some people that knew there was another train coming along in less than 20 minutes, so no big deal. I spoke to the helpful man for a minute or so while he told me that the train he was waiting for was going to Hamilton, so I would be able to get to Burlington on it, and then I just stood and waited. He seems to know everyone, because the longer the waiting lasted, the bigger the group of people that were surrounding him became.
So, the train comes, and I guess the car that stopped nearest to me must have been the one that's meant for wheelchairs, because the seats were bench seats that folded up, but also, they had a ton of room inbetween them. I go in, find a seat that sits in the right direction and sit down. (I can't ride backward on the train, it makes me sick) The party from the platform is also on the train, as is the operator. Before too long we get going, I'm still not sure I'm even on the right train, thankfully the operator (conductor?) announces where we're going.
More people join the train, who this man appears to know. He tells everyone that's willing to listen that he's been in Chinatown and got 4 lbs of strawberries for $4. It's loud, everyone is talking, the lone child on the car is screaming, the conductor/operator guy is yakking away... I just couldn't believe it. THEN, the man starts passing around cookies. I shit you not. He opened up the package, and passed them around, to anyone and everyone on the train. In fact, when people refused he got a little upset. "There are lots, what else am I going to do with them?" (Why'd you buy so many then?!)
As people got off they gave each other hugs... it was just the most bizarre experience I've ever seen. I sat quietly and read my book and observed all of this going on, and wished that I had some music or something I could listen to so I didn't have to pay attention.
The train was express to Clarkson and then stopped from there on. At Oakville a girl got on, and immediately made a phone call to...who I assume was her fiancee. Do we suppose that the entire train needed to hear about how their parents were fighting, and how her mom was mad at his mom, and about what kind of topper they were going to have on their wedding cake? Nope, pretty sure nobody gave a shit about that.
Then, as I was standing waiting for the doors to open these two ladies were talking, older ladies who I'd have expected would have gone through menopause already or at least be starting it. The one woman was talking about being cranky and how her boobs hurt. Clearly PMS, but...again, did the entire world need to know this?
Posted by Michelle at March 7, 2006 01:17 PM