People, Places: Raison d’être

Back to school versus back to work

Note: I have been writing about places, but I’d also like to  capture observations about people in my blog series too.

My day started a bit earlier that usual yesterday.  I left the house at 7 a.m. to catch a train to NYC for a series of meetings. As I approached the Davis Square T stop, a large group of junior high students exited.  They were wearing uniforms and carrying backpacks that would soon be filled with home work. The boys were decked out in maroon button-down shirts with a tie and dark slacks.  The girls wore skirts and blouses in a similar color scheme.  It was a lively group that buzzed with energy. I smiled and instantly recalled both the excitement and anxiety of the first day of school of years past. I remember that I carefully selected an outfit the night before and talked to friends to determine if we would have any classes together. We would also make plans to sit together at lunch , and we surely had met by third period to pass notes to each other dishing the latest gossip.  I suppose kids send texts now.  Note writing is a dying art.  I still have many notes from high school, and I get a kick out of reading them on occasion.

I was happy for the students, and I hope they had a great first day of school.  Ah, the carefree days of childhood.  I sound like my mother.

The atmosphere was completely different when I arrived in South Station. As I waited for my train, I observed a flood of people arriving via commuter rail. Unlike the lively children en route to school, the adults were quiet and lacked visible signs of energy as they returned to work on a Monday morning.  The contrast was striking and a bit sad.  Although, I suppose this narrow view may not be an accurate impression.  I understand it may have been a rough morning for the parents who had to adjust to the back to school routine.

The adults were also wearing uniforms.  The standard for men  is apparently khaki slacks with a light blue button down or golf shirt. Women dress a bit more stylishly with a variety of summer skirts, dresses and the occasional suit.   The adults walked briskly in silence with limited eye contact.  Most seemed to be uninterested in their surroundings and were distracted by ipods and of course phones. Perhaps it was still to early for most, and they perk up after a high dose of caffeine.

I did see one man walking with a smile on his face, and I wondered what he was thinking about.  Strange to think that he stood out because he was smiling.  Although, I was smiling too.  I have always enjoyed train stations particularly those in Europe.  People are coming and going.  Perhaps for vacation, to visit family or friends or for work.  I love the hustle and bustle.

I decided that I had enough of people watching, so I read the NY Times until my train arrived. When I arrived in Penn Station, I was energized and ready for the day.

You can face the day smiling or frowning. The choice is yours.

September 1, 2009 - Posted by aburnis | Travel | back to school, New York, Trains