In an increasingly complex world, staying connected to each other can be challenging, hence the goal of this newsletter is to provide you with practical ideas through shared captures of French life bonding moments, and more.
Being in the same doldrums with fellow travelers can turn out to be a strangely conniving experience. Spending twice the planned time in such proximity leaves ample opportunity for connecting. On this occasion, we were departing from Geneva at 6 pm to return to Paris, and France welcomed us with its own version of ‘Swiss’ punctuality.
From early birds to night owls
The trip to Geneva was already quite an experience from the morning. My friend and I were heading there at 6 am, surrounded by young professionals, veteran ones, and students from the International Higher Studies Institute on a diplomatic delegation, holding forth truisms as should be. Nevertheless I managed to get through Carlo Rovelli’s one-hundred-and-a-half book, White Holes: Inside the Horizon, while sipping on a scalding green tea. Exploring scientific concepts at dawn proves to be enjoyable; my mind is somehow more receptive in the early hours.
For the return journey, I was hoping to get some rest. Departing at 6:30 pm, my designated coach was already imbued by the pungent McDonald’s smell, along with the aroma of ham sandwiches and chicken rice, as if it were opening an all-you-can-eat buffet. One hour in, everything seemed to be proceeding smoothly. Then, the train driver announced we would pause for half an hour. This wasn’t out of character. However, soon after, revisions kicked in. The train needed to slow down, which meant we would arrive at midnight, more than two hours later than planned.
As it promised to be a long night, I decided to stand up and stretch my legs by visiting passenger cars. Coming back, I started seeing things.
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Nocturnal insights
Here are 9 observations from that evening into the night.
At around 10:15 pm, the man across the corridor from me ‘marypoppinsed’ a 1 kg Kellogg’s box out his backpack, spilling flakes which were mercilessly crunched by passing passengers.
Making eye contact with a fellow night owl can quickly turn into a silent battle on who will break it first, a game replayed hourly and one more just before disembarking.
While sneakily watching your neighbor's movie without sound, you can, to some extent, play the script by ear, as couples usually share their last working earpieces.
A dignified old lady with a butterfly-printed tote bag was talking Russian, likely crabbing with her daughter, before dozing off. Moments like these made me regret not learning Russian.
There's a chance of sitting in front of somebody sleeping eye-wide opened, even better when their mouth remains half-opened, intermittently snoring. Young men often rest their head on silk cervical pillows.
Glancing at passengers several times can be done without any embarrassment, as we know it is caused by boredom, even when frowning at their reflections in the window.
Certain people tangle between seats as if they were on a boat, at every train tremolo. The cutest moves came from a half-asleep child, carefully monitored by her father as they returned to their seats.
The waiting line for the bar rivaled that of a respectable nightclub, with the first in line securing the best (s)pots. Instead of outfits, waiters slyly checked if people ahead had ordered the last rations of their chosen meal.
My coach, closest to the bar, offered an unobstructed view on youthfully happy grown-ups grabbing snacks - chips and chocolates - at 11 pm, their late-night cravings excused by the circumstances.
Chronicles from the Paris-Geneva line
Traveling by train remains my preferred way of exploring European countries. It is collective, eco-friendly, and above all, unlike driving or flying, it allows you to comfortably read, chat, watch a movie without being squeezed. That night chronicle will remain in my archives. On the way back home at 1 am, I was jolted awake, listening to Born in the USA by Bruce Springsteen until I finally passed out.
In the near future, I look forward to sharing more of my journeys to lesser known French cities. Paris should not be the be-all and end-all of France; these cities deserve proper recognition and praise.
✍️ Tell me…
What is you favorite city in our home country and why ?
If you have been to France, which city stood out to you outside of Paris ?
What activities do you enjoy most when traveling ?
I love your nocturnal insights section and your ways of noticing things!
There's so much to capture whilst traveling with the train.
I adore Paris but I love in equal ways the Provence countryside. I have a friend who has a house in a little village there, and even though it's a small place, with one boulangerie and just a few bars, I love visiting it every year as much as the first time when I arrived there.
I wonder how the time of day affects your timing on processing these visuals in real-time, and not as oversaturated with movements/experience.
Last time I was in France, I had my iPhone 6s stolen by a kid - it’s been a while. But your observations make me want to revisit soon :)