train travel - postscript

I've been back from my 12 hour train ride for a few weeks. Like always, when I go away I return to see my life, home, entire situation with new eyes. I appreciate that about travel. It offers me an opportunity to see anew.

I learned something new on that trip. I have spent very little time in my life actually relaxing. It is pretty hard to stay occupied on a lengthy train ride. I knitted, I read, I listened to audio books, I wrote, and I watched movies. But finally when I had done everything I had brought to do, I just looked out the window. My story teller's mind made up sketches of stories and lines of prose as the different views slipped by. It was not only restful to just let my mind think and wander, I discovered it was an investment in future creativity.

What I found the week after I returned is that I would awaken in the night and strings of words, images, ideas, lines of dialogue would pop into my sleepy head. I would turn over and go back to sleep, my dreams opening in vivid colors. I am still inspired, if confused by the effect of that trip. Again, I recommend it. I talked to a friend of mine who said he just couldn't stand being on the train after a while. The inactivity drove him crazy. Well, he is a much more physically active person than I am. So train travel isn't for everyone.

I am inspired to spend a few minutes each day watching the world go by. I think there is something restorative about sitting at idle. It is the the pause between breaths.