I took the train from Albany to Buffalo. A four and a half hour drive turns into a five and a half hour train ride, with delays becomes six hours. Despite the long trip, I really enjoyed it. I love travelling by train. It’s relaxing and I can sit and think, or sleep.
When I got on the train in Albany I walked three cars to an empty seat and tried to lift my suitcase up into the overhead rack. I am weak and decided against struggling with it to not look as incompetent as I felt. I wheeled my bag to the front of the car and a guy sitting in the front “save-for-disabled-passengers” seat (he wasn’t disabled) said I could put my bag there, where there is extra space. I removed my computer (as to not be irresponsible) and went back to my seat. Just outside of Amsterdam, the same guy was walking up and down the aisle until he found me and then said he was getting off at the next stop, if I wanted to sit near my bag.
This small gesture of responsible kindness made me so happy. This guy looked kind of sketchy, but he wasn’t. Outside Boston there are nice people: people that go out of their way, if just a little, to make a stranger’s day easier. I’d forgotten there were still genuinely nice people.
I love living in the city. I think the opportunities and experiences urban life has to offer outweighs any minor complaints I may have. My only fear is that I will forget to do-good, something I always try to do. Try to remember.
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