323) Train Anticipation

My friend who is visiting from LA commented on people who lean over and peer down the subway track while waiting for the train. He said, "What do they think that will accomplish? It's not going to make it come any faster."

Just as the watched pot infamously never boils, the train never comes if you're eyes are glued to that dark tunnel in anticipation. My trick is to watch the tiles on the wall, to see any small changes in light reflection. As the train comes around bends to finally emerge in the station, its headlight dances, fades and eventually grows brighter on the wall. It's sort of like monitoring the lights in a movie theater when you're waiting for the previews to begin. I'm constantly wondering if the lights are actually dimming, or if it's just wishful thinking and I'm squinting my eyes to compensate.

Another trick to train anticipation is to stay very still and be conscious of the air flow in the station. When a train approaches, it pushes air in front of it. It starts as a faint breath and then builds, culminating in a whoosh of air as the train speeds by. When you feel the slightest of breezes start to push past you, the train is a minute away.