Adventures on TRAX

I've officially been riding the train to work for a little over six months now. Since I'd heard lots of stories from others who are regular TRAX riders I half expected to have gathered quite a collection of them. Since I ride during the commuter times most of my fellow passengers are businesspeople, so for the most part I haven't had too many interesting stories. . . until the last couple of weeks.

Last Friday I was on my way home. When I don't care to be bothered, I usually put my iPod in, and people leave me alone. I think we were about at 1300 South when these two girls got on with a guitar. I hate to be stereotypical, but they looked like the folksy-type people who would enjoy playing the guitar.

I was surprised when they took a seat on the floor. It's true there wasn't a lot of space, but I'm guessing they could've found a place. It was even more interesting when they pulled out the guitar and started having a mini concert right there on the train. Skeptical Tammy (who's been to New York and seen as much) half expected them to ask for money, but such was not the case. Instead, they seemed to be singing just for the sake of singing.

At first I left my iPod in and tried to tune them out, but then I decided I'd rather listen because they sounded good together. I talked to them a little bit and listened until they got off at the same stop as me. But the funniest part of the story wasn't the guitar players but the other girl in that section of the train. She apparently decided since these girls weren't afraid to sing in public, neither should she be. As I walked toward my car, I was being serenaded to her rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." I'm not a singer myself, but she wasn't either, so I didn't necessarily think it was wise on her part.

The next experience happened just this week. I'd been working from home that morning so I was taking the train at a different time than normal. Again, I had my iPod in and was minding my own business. I was only two stops away from work when this older gentleman with a walker got on the train. If there hadn't been a seat, I would've given mine up, but as it was, there was no need. What I didn't expect was for him to take up a conversation with me.

It seemed innocent enough. . . until he started telling me all these things about me were beautiful, from my shades (I keep them on to look less approachable, but it doesn't always work) to my ring to my appearance. That made me feel slightly uncomfortable even if I felt like he was mostly harmless. I was almost at my stop when he held out his hand to introduce himself, I reached mine out and instead of shaking it, he kissed it. Yeah, even more uncomfortable. Sweet, but slightly weird too. I was glad for my stop.

This entry is already very long, but I have one more quick thing to share, but it involves me narrowly avoiding a face plant off TRAX, so I hope it's worthwhile to keep reading. I was wearing heels (luckily not my hooker heels or I would've been in serious trouble!) and I tripped over the hem of my pants. Since I was holding the rail, I caught myself before I could fall, but it was close though!

Not what I'd choose

Riding TRAX can be an interesting experience. This I know from things I've experienced and from stories I've heard from other people.


That's why I've felt good that to this point I've been spared anything too dramatic while on TRAX.

Until yesterday that is.

I was hurrying off to catch the train after work yesterday when what should I see but a bride and groom taking photos at the TRAX stop. I had to wind my way around them so I could be in the right place on the platform. I didn't think too much about it except that taking photos at the TRAX stop wouldn't be my first choice. I climbed on the train and settled in to read.

Before the train pulled away I saw the entire bridal party--bride, groom, photographer and someone I think was the bride's mother--climb onto the train. This was no easy affair with all the photography equipment, the bride's train and flowers and keeping that beautiful dress off the ground. I was smiling slightly to myself as I watched, just thinking how unfun that must be.

I was surprised when the bride and groom posed right there in the doorway on TRAX and started taking photos, which may or may not have had me in the background looking on. At that point, I decided I thought these people were very interesting.

I mean, to each his or her own, but I personally wouldn't want my wedding photos taken at a boring old TRAX platform (especially with all the City Creek Center construction ugliness in the background) or on the train itself. Oh well! It amused me the entire ride home anyway.

One of those!

Oh no! I've officially become one of those!

You may wonder--to what those am I referring? A great question.

I refer to those people who see the TRAX train pulling into the stop and make a mad dash to catch it before it takes off again.

Much as it pains me to admit it, I have joined the ranks of those dashing to catch TRAX. I've done it three times in the last week and a half, twice in the last week alone. Before I was a regular TRAX rider, I would often see people making this run as I left my building, and I'd watch with mild interest. I couldn't quite fathom the need to do so until I found myself in that situation. So, off I go!

See, if I can catch the 5:10 train from downtown, I reach Sandy just before 6, giving me a little extra time in the evening. This is especially important on the nights when I have something else after work. If I miss that train though, it's another 15 minutes before the next one comes. Now I know that 15 minutes isn't that big of a deal, but it's enough of a difference that if I see the earlier train, I will run to catch it.

Now I just have to be careful to make sure my mad dashes don't involve getting hit by a car or anything like that. I would be just plain embarrassed, not to mention injured, if that happened, so I'll make sure I'm careful, even if I have become one of those. :)