When I went to a party at my sister’s place recently I took public transit. My route included taking the subway train, which doesn’t run all night. So before I left my place I checked the schedule and told myself what time I should leave the party by, in order to catch the train.
If I did end up missing the last one it was no big deal as there was an alternate route available but it would have involved waiting outside on the street for a bus. Plus there was always the (much more expensive) option of taking a taxi.
Anyway, I had planned to leave myself plenty of time to catch the train, thinking I would leave the party at 12:30. That would have given me 3 hours of enjoyment, but damn if I wasn’t having so much fun that I jumped when I checked my watch and saw that it was suddenly ten past one. I high tailed it out of there, and as the title says, made it for the very last train going downtown.
The whole experience brought me back to my teenage years and the times when we regularly rushed to catch the last public transit vehicle home. Except back then, based on our suburban destination, there was no alternative bus to take, so if we missed it we were done for. It meant that someone’s parent had to be called out of bed to come and fetch us. But there was that time that a gang of us were able to convince a kind taxi driver to take us to the very edge of our sub-division at the deeply discounted fare of the amount we had set aside to take public transit, after having spent all the rest of our money having fun in the city.
For this recent ride, there was nobody else waiting on the platform, and only one other person on the train with me. I know this is because I was going back downtown and that the last trains going the other way, leaving the city core, at this time were likely packed to the rafters.
Hope you have a great Monday. It’s a holiday here called ‘Family Day’. It is sunny outside but very very cold. I’m sure the tobogganing hills and skating rinks are filled with rosy-cheeked little ones. I’m not sure what I’ll do yet but I think it will include some crocheting in a sunbeam and a walk outside with my camera.
xo loulou
Also we have a winner of the bracelet from Poet’s Circle Jewelry. It is: Audrey, who writes Audrey Allure. Congratulations! I’ll email you to arrange delivery of the bracelet from Laura.
Thank you again to Laura for doing this giveaway on my blog.
Must be weird to have the subway train more or less to yourself. A bit scary maybe?
Hi RosyRagpatch! Riding this late at night was a very rare occurrence, in that I can’t remember being on the subway at this time of night for ages, like many years. I usually enjoy night life that is within walking distance of home. But it didn’t cross my mind to be afraid. I’ve been taking the subway since I was a kid, and I’ve never had any trouble on it. There are many security features too, like an area called The Designated Waiting Area, where I went to wait for the train. It has enhanced lighting, two-way intercom to talk to the station master, and a phone to call police for free. Also, inside the trains there is an emergency strip to push for immediate attention if something is happening.
Wow, this is so different from London, where the last train is usually crowded with drunk and sleepy people.
Hi Annika :) Oh I’m sure the last train going the other way was packed with party people. I was heading into the downtown part of the city, while they would all be leaving it, after a night out. We have an area downtown that is called The Entertainment District, and it’s where the bigger nightclubs are. It is crazy (and fun) and very crowded around there at that time of night.
See, that’s why I miss living in a big city… You never get to experience such things. It could be scary to be ALONE on a subway train but it still could be somewhat liberating, I think. Great shoes too.;)
Hi Peet :) I have been on the all-night bus that travels north out of the city after the bars close, and that experience is a lot more frightening than was riding on the subway nearly alone! If you’re by yourself there are no idiots to bother you. Plus there are many security measures built into the system.
I usually ride the subway during rush-hour, when it is so crowded that sometimes a train leaves the station without you getting on because there is no room, so it was cool to be alone. A little eerie yes, but cool.
You know, I have never once rode public transportation! Actually, I’ve always been kind of frightened by it…which is utterly ridiculous. Sounds like an adventure though. I’m not sure if I’d be freaked out being alone like that or surrounded more by strangers. It would be rather cool to have the whole darn thing to yourself though :-) Love that scarf!
xo Marisa
Hi Marisa. I guess it’s what your used to. While I have my driving license, I don’t drive because the thought of it scares me. But public transit I know like the back of my hand, so it doesn’t frighten me. Though, of course, like I am anytime I’m out and about in the city, I am always aware of my surroundings. I don’t travel with an iPod so I can hear what is around me and I try to always stay alert and careful.
This is a fun post. Takes me back too. I grew up in Hamilton so there was no train, but my sister and I would take the 1:20 bus back “up the mountain” from downtown. If I was alone I would call my poor dad from the store near the bus stop to pick me up because I didn’t want to walk from the bus stop alone!
Our last train/bus home is nothing like this, your transport looks so clean and civilised! x
I am impressed by two things. 1) Your constant ability to take a mundane thing (train ride) and use it to conjure up all kinds of memories and emotions as I read. (one of the many reasons I love your blog!) and 2)Are those train seats fabric? They look like some sort of crushed velour? Our train seats are made of some sort of high shine turbo plastic. Unless you are wearing short shorts and your leg fat keeps you in place, you just keep sliding out of them. Your train just looks better.
Every single comment of yours has me laughing out loud! Oh the uncomfortable feeling you conjured up of having your short-short clad leg fat anchoring you to a plastic bus seat is priceless. Yes, those seats are made of a velvety fabric. You know those fabric brushes that have red fabric on them and if you brush them one way they pick up the lint, and if you brush the other way the lint comes off? It’s sort of like that fabric, without the lint aspect.
I knew it! I had to ride the train in for jury duty this week and was thinking about those red velvety seats as I struggled to keep myself from sliding out. Just another reason Toronto is looking better and better to me.
Oh yes please … come here. I am waiting for you.