paused

Train ride from Irvine to San Luis Obispo. I think trains beat airplanes because you can see things going by you out the window. It's nice sometimes to see the world pass at a distance with no need to interact. It's also nice to have a power outlet when the trip is 7 hours long.

I talked to the man in the cafe car for a while over a fresh fruit cup while the sun set over the Pacific Ocean. He was about 45 years old, and mildly disheveled. When I asked about accidents he informed me that they are unfortunately frequent (one had caused my train to be two and a half hours late that day, and there had been another only a few weeks earlier). Maybe trains aren't always better.

After I went back to my seat (with all of my things because I was afraid to leave them behind), I watched the Office and listened to some music in the emptying train. The sun had set, and with so few people left, the train was quiet. A guy in his early 30's came and sat in the row across from me. He had gotten a personal size bottle of wine from the cafe car and proceeded to drink and listen to music. A glass and a half later I heard him singing with his headphones on, and another later I could head his music. Fortunately it was Third Eye Blind, and the end of my ride.

Interesting day. Arriving in SLO was great. I'll put up more pics soon.