Trains, Mardi Gras, and Southern Hospitatlity

Here it is, Thursday the 22 and my vacation is almost over. I set up this blog to transcribe all of my adventures....and I never got the opportunity to sit down and write. But I have so many recollections of this trip. This trip had many FIRSTS for me.

First #1 This was the first time I took the train. Now, my friend and I were supposed to take the train from Union Station in Los Angeles, CA to Mobile, AL but after Hurricane Katrina wiped out a few bridges....the road stopped in New Orleans. Once we got there, our friends picked us up and drove us the two hours to Mobile, AL. [This consists of driving through Mississippi.]

I found taking the train to be one of the most intriguing experiences thus far when it comes to traveling. Mostly becuase you have to NOT be in a hurry to get anywhere. But also because you get to actually see the landscape and you get to meet so many wonderful and exciting people. They have community seating at dinner....so you never sit wth the same people twice. And it's because of that we actually made friends on the train.

So at Union Station we board the train. And I go on an exploration through our sleeper car, then through the dining hall, next the lounge car, and finally end up in coach where we meet a family of old-timers whose father used to work for Amtrak and were very familiar with riding the train. They started to tell me stories of their adventures. It was great.

I wish I could sit here and regale stories of every person we met. They were all so wonderful...and I was so intrigued by the people who took the train. What was their story; where were they going?

Just a few things I need to say though. Some of this country is extremely beautiful. Texas is WAY too big. And this is the first time I've been too the South - and I LOVE it. One of the neatest things is being able to get out and stretch a few minutes at each stop. Funny thing, my friend and I got off briefly at Beaumont, TX. Just to let you know...it's just a bench! Honestly. They tore the station down because the city didn't want to pay taxes for it. So all you get is a bench and a small platform. Boy was that a culture shock. In Los Angeles, Union Station is so ornate and pretty.

But I am a glad that I was able to take this trip. Since I've quit my job I've worked so hard at my career. Building up my resume as a script supervisor. Trying so hard to finish all of my writing. Meeting as many people as I can; getting my name out there. It's never easy. But I am using this vacation as a turning point. It has been six months since I quit my job. If, when I return, things don't pick up then I will get a full time job. My savings account is almost gone and I will give up my dream for a while longer in order to survive. Needless to say, I am doing a lot of praying and soul-searching. But really, since I took this trip with a friend of mine, and we're doing so many new things....it's just a chance, for me, to get a way and enjoy myself.