Travel-Snack

And so it began...

I used whatever money I had left and bought a ticket on the first train out of the city.

Its destination didn't matter, I just wanted to get away from it all.

Unfortunately I was nearly broke, so the train wouldn't get me very far... but maybe far enough.

So I went to the platform where my train was waiting. A small thing, nothing like those new high-speed, first class trains, no, this one was old and stopped at every single town, village or house that crossed it's path.

It consisted of only 4 cars, one of them being the locomotive. Electric of course, but reminded me of those trains in western movies. Maybe it was refitted because of its charm.

The first passenger car was empty and it's doors were closed so I tried opening one of them.

"You might want to try the middle car." Said a voice behind me as I grabbed the handle. "Those doors are rusted shut."

I turned around to find a man in a blue uniform. Pocket watch in hand and a fine moustache covering his upper lip. Again the western came to mind and I had to suppress the urge to laugh.

"Thanks for the tip. Is this your train?"

"Was... I just finished my last journey with her. It's time for me to retire."

"He doesn't look a day over 40...how is he retiring?" I thought to myself.

"Don't let appearances deceive you." And for a moment I thought he had read my mind. "This lady is a force to be reckoned with, she's been in service for over a hundred years and not once did she arrive late at her destination. 

I looked at the fading colours, scratched windows, rust spots and came to the conclusion that if it moved it was out of sheer force of will. the train looked like it was breaking apart.

"I don't see this force you are talking about..."  But as I turned to face the blue uniform, it was already a few hundred meters behind me, walking away, limping.

Again I faced the train, and for a moment I pondered if it was really safe to go aboard. Surprisingly I found out that I didn't really care. I just wanted to get out of there and if it meant a ride on the fossil... so be it!

I opened the middle car door and entered. It wasn't nearly as bad on the inside. Clean, warm and the green seats looked comfortable. I dropped my backpack in front of a window seat and put my bag in the overhead compartment.

As soon as I sat down I felt myself starting to relax. All the decisions had been made and there was no going back. That gave me a sense of peace.

I looked around for fellow passengers and noticed the rest of the car was empty.

I adjusted myself to the seat and sleep soon came, washing away any worries.

It was going to be a long 4 hour ride, but by its end I would be four hundred kilometers due south.