On my recent train trip, for the first time, I sat in the cafe car and people-watched. All kinds of folks coming and going, sitting a bit eating overpriced snacks or taking them back to their undersized seats. Having set up housekeeping next to the window in my booth, I wrapped up in a sweater, wishing I had worn socks with my holey Crocs and cradled a hot cup of coffee between my palms…mmm. Headphones pretty much render one invisible as a target for conversation, so I was safe. Ironically, the conductor seated a blind man across from me, but as it turned out, he was more interested in eating than talking. So, with CSN&Y wafting through my ear buds…Old man sittin’ by the side of the road…I looked across the way and noticed this man.
He was definitely the most interesting looking person on the train. A little out of place amongst the iPods and Izods and yes, in this economy, even the Izods are taking the train. Dressed in a cotton caftan and looking rather exotic—I didn’t intend to stereotype, but apparently did—I imagined that he might be from a foreign land and that his shawl and crocheted cap were of homespun wool. Well, I was a little disheartened to see plastic sequins sewn into his beanie, and when he spoke, he sounded as if he could have been from any one of the small towns in which the train stopped. Still, he was the most interesting looking person on the train, and it was funny to see that another crocheted cap happened to join him.
The highlight of the trip out of town, I’m afraid.
And by the way, Strangers on a Train is an excellent Hitchcock flick, although I may have lost credibility in the movie department when I pushed Spencer’s Mountain. I know, sappy.
Grace
T
8noodles
justin
YogaforCynics
Twitter: jodapoet
I am the same on public transportation. I enjoy people watching and try and image the lives of the people I see. Where are they from, what do they do etc… It passes the time and is many times an inspiration for my writing.
Joanne Olivieri´s last blog post ..Perfection
Amazing photos and commentary, Holly. What serendipity to be on the train with these two colorful people.
Some years ago a friend at work told me about a train trip he’d taken in his 20s from Oregon to North Dakota to visit his folks. It involved overnight travel and he opted to not pay for a sleeping berth but to stay in the regular car instead. So there he was all alone until a young woman came into the car. Maybe she couldn’t sleep in her sleeping berth, who knows…
He said they looked at each other and there was a seedy kind of excitement that transferred between them. Within a half-hour they were having sex in one of the seats. They didn’t talk much, didn’t exchange information, and never saw one another again.
I must admit that I wondered if this really happened or if he was sharing a fantasy. Either way, it was interesting!
Lydia´s last blog post ..Preparation, not fear
So…did you and the guy in the crocheted cap make any deals to knock off people in your lives a la Hitchcock?
YogaforCynics´s last blog post ..Random Acts of…Something
Twitter: earthtoholly
Hi Joanne. I’m not a big talker with strangers, so I’d much rather watch them. And I agree that they’re sometimes pretty inspiring.
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Hi and thanks, Lydia…and YOWZA! on that story there. It reminded me of PostSecret material, so my easily distracted self had to go over there. And on the first page I saw this one: “You were having sex in the bathroom so I peed in your bongwater.” It doesn’t really have much to do with your comment…except for the sex-in-strange-places aspect, but I thought it was kinda funny. See what happens when I get distracted?
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Ahhh, you’ve seen it, drjay. Yeah, we tried to work somethin’ out but he doesn’t do moms, so…no deal. Ah, I’m just kiddin’. My mom would probably laugh at this…before killing me herself, that is.
Holly – I love taking photographs on trains. You got a couple of excellent ones here. I am usually staring out the window though, taking in the scenery such as it is from the tracks. Thanks for the photos.
koe´s last blog post ..a real cloud
Without stereotyping like yours, the world would be a very unimaginative place!!! How wonderful of you to write a story in your head about him! I would have!!!
Charity´s last blog post ..We Stay. Together.
I absolutely LOVE to people watch. I have to be carefu doing it around my husband because he thinks I’m just checking out the guys though….lol I love the picture and I can see how you could have reached your conclusion about him. He looks like he is in such deep though, maybe about a far off place that he once called home
ann´s last blog post ..Can’t stay focused
Twitter: earthtoholly
Hi and thanks, Koe. My train ride is a long one, at least 10 hrs., so I usually have time to do everything…watch a movie, play on the computer, take photos, daydream. WiFi on the train would be nice, though. Really nice.
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Hi Charity and thanks. Yeah, I do that alot…just suppose about what’s going on with others…
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Hi ann. Yeah, that’s what I thought. And who really knows his story, anyway…only he. It is fun though to suppose and weave some sort of story.
Twitter: junkdrawer
I love people-watching too. You painted quite a picture, even without the accompanying photos. Wonderful!
I hate to think what people think of me if I’m the object of people-watching. Hmmmm.
Junk Drawer Kathy´s last blog post ..Farty McFartster
Twitter: junkdrawer
p.s. I stumbled this post. Hope others give you a thumb-up! It deserves it.
Junk Drawer Kathy´s last blog post ..Farty McFartster
He is an interesting looking fellow. I wonder if the crocheted caps are part of a religious tradition, or maybe just a fashion trend?
Janie of Utah´s last blog post ..Taming Miss Daisy
It is really interesting to people watch sometimes.
And I can hear Neil Young’s haunting voice singing that line now that you put that in there….LOL
These are great photos.
Have a great weekend!!
Kat
Kat´s last blog post ..Look! An I Love Lucy Award
Twitter: earthtoholly
Hi Kathy and thanks. I’m glad you liked it. Yeah, I think about that too…I wonder what people are thinking about me…then I shudder…yikes. Thank you so much for the stumble! I appreciate that.
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Hi Janie. I’m guessing fashion trend, but who knows. I agree though that he was interesting looking.
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Hi Kat and thanks for stopping by. Glad you liked the photos and song. A good weekend to you, too!
Hey Holly, great pics! I would have been drawn to taking that man’s photo as well! Love the knitted caps. Personally I think their story is a little more mundane though – old hippies never die, they just crochet their caps. :)
Svasti´s last blog post ..Yoga is a Blacksmith
I think they are made for each other :) when I’m on a train all i do is zzzz & listen to music.
Doson´s last blog post ..i am not a swine flu
First of all, Strangers on the Train is a fantastic film, one of Hitchcock’s best. And Svasti’s probably right-a couple of old hippies who joined some religious cult. What is it about riding on a train that creates that sense of mystery-as if one were heading toward some great adventure? Riding in a bus or a plane just doesn’t do that for me. Your descriptions are wonderful, especially of yourself. I can see you all bundled up in your tiny corner.
Nothing profound´s last blog post ..
Twitter: plasmanc
Hi Holly,
I love the photographs. I have been sorely tempted to take a picture of an interesting person or two when I’ve happened to have my camera with me – but being a coward I’ve not bothered.
There are quite a few interesting people in Manchester, particularly in the city centre – I might just wander in, perch myself in a cafe with my camera and sneak the odd picture or two.
Let’s see if I can find some courage to do so.
:0)
Cheers
PM
Plastic Mancunian´s last blog post ..Women’s Problems – PMT
Twitter: earthtoholly
Hi Svasti and thanks. Hee-hee, you could be right. A third person joined them and it seemed they were having an awfully interesting discussion…religion, politics, etc…not that I was listening. :o|
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Hi Doson. I listen to music just about the whole way, but I find it hard to sleep…unless I’ve been up the night before, that is. Then I kinda doze on and off.
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Hi Nothing profound. Wasn’t that great? Robert Walker was sooo creepy. I think I know what you mean about riding on trains…does seem more interesting. I love to just look out the window and think about stuff, which I happen to do a lot even when I’m not on a train! Thank you for the compliment. Every now and then I’m perfectly comfortable on a train ride…this was one of them (even though it was 2 hours late!).
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Hi PM and thanks. Glad you like the pics. And I would love to see some of your candid people shots from Manchester! Actually, for this pic I zoomed in and turned off my flash so no one knew I took it. You know, I wanted to ask the guy who was seated next to me if I could take his picture, but I didn’t have the nerve. He didn’t sound very friendly and kinda acted tough-guy. But then he pulled out this carefully prepared snack bag of bananas, cheese, crackers, sliced tomatoes, juice and Tootsie Roll pops. It was a funny contrast, especially with a lollipop hanging out of his mouth. But, I ramble… You have a good idea for picture-taking…go! Go!