What I love about traveling is not merely arriving to the destination but the actual movement from one place to another. The travel. While on the road for 13 months I embraced this ‘time inbetween‘, as it allowed me to reflect on the places seen and to anticipate those waiting to be discovered. Many 12 hour plane rides gave me plenty of time to muse, but it is via train, traveling over land (and perhaps under sea), that I always feel most connected to the journey. Put me on a train, and I am happy. (Even simply the Long Island Rail Road or these days, the Trenitalia.)
My most memorable train ride to date was 48 hours enroute from Lhasa, Tibet to Beijing. I could have easily flown and spent more time exploring China’s capital, but I chose the option of adventure.
With only my thoughts to accompany me, I observing as the worlds of Tibet and China converged in my midst. I was one of a handful of Westerners and shared my sleeping cabin with 2 Chinese men, a Tibetan, and a few good books. My conversations were limited to very basic English as I taught the Tibetan man to play backgammon and in turn he taught me a Tibetan game.
I became a voyeur. Much of my time was spent observing life on the train.
The dining cabin became my ‘room with a view’. The landscape my vista.
The sun rose and night fell. And again. I could have easily spent another 2 days enroute.
One day I hope to board the Orient Express to destinations unknown… But these days I will happily settle for the night train from Paris to Venice.
I LOVE the shot of the guys on the train! I’m sure it’s an experience in itself to travel by train in other cultures. Awesome.
It was such an unforgettable experience Lindsey. I really needed those 48 hours to reflect upon my days in Tibet… and the views were breathtaking! Not to mention the ‘train culture’…
I am so with you on the joy of train travel! It’s magical. Fun alone, fun with friends. Either way, it’s always an adventure.
The long haul train trip that I’d really like to experience is the recently reinstated Moscow-Nice line. I learned about it from my favorite travel show – Euromaxx (DW-TV). Here’s the clip from last year:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBlRj1_cZ2g
And more info:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11400917
http://eng.rzd.ru/isvp/public/rzdeng?STRUCTURE_ID=4127
There’s something about ‘living’ on a train that appeals to me. Though once when I took the night train from Sanok to Warsaw I managed to convinced myself that the guests in my sleeping compartment were plotting against me. Didn’t sleep all night! 😉 Moscow to Nice sounds like quite a journey! Thanks for the videos and info, will take a look!
Wow. Amazing. I love train travel, too. Don’t know about 48 hours, but you sure make it sound compelling! 🙂
You would love it! Especially as a writer. All you need is pen, paper, your imagination and the open road.
What an experience! I also love train travel, and I find myself getting reflective as well. I’ve never had an overnight train journey, but hope to soon!
I remember you mentioning the Orient Express…. one day that dream will be realized 🙂
AAAAAAMAZING! i would have LA LA LA LOVED that ride. especially with some patisseries! 😉
GREAT photos!