So as you may know from leaving off in my last post, we did not make the first train to Berlin. The thought of getting out of my comfortable, luxurious in a poor, penniless, couldn't-ever-afford-this college student kind of way InnerCity Hotel bed was just too much to overcome at 5:30 am. So instead, we opted to catch four a few extra hours of sleep and enjoy our complimentary breakfast at the very last possible minutes it was still being served. Then it was time to hit the road tracks!
We headed back to the Hannover station, found our platform, and hopped on our (5-mintes delayed) train. From there we departed on our (almost) two hour journey to Berlin. And though it sounds long, it was actually a comfortable--actually, the most comfortable--train ride. For one, I was just so excited to actually be on my way to Berlin. And also, something about a comfortable train ride is simply relaxing to me. I just sat there listening to my iPod, thinking... And of course, when I think, things get crazy... and random. And just in case there are any inquisitive readers out there who are wondering about what exactly I thought about, here are a few points that crossed my mind.
1) America really needs to:
(A) expand it's public transportation system. And I am not just talking about the big-city transit systems that already exist. We need to actually create more across the nation. Seriously, we really do. I mean, the Netherlands is how small? Almost twice the size of New Jersey? And they still understand the need for economical travel even though they have substantially less land to cover. And we, the US, are how big? Like 230-something times that size*? So why not actually be the united states that we are, and make it practical to travel within our country?!
Not to mention the fact that it would certainly reduce the number of cars on the road, thus reducing the carbon emission levels, pollution levels, etc. But I don't know... Some of youRepublicans may not care so much about Mother Earth. I mean, what does it matter? The world's ending in 2012 anyways, isn't it?!
Also public transportation would be so much more affordable for us "average joes"--or to all you "Mavericks", that might be better understood when read "Joe the Plumbers". So why not actually invest the money in something that will actually be a benefit to our great nation in the long runinstead of bailing-out all the dumb-asses who f*cked up our economy?
Oh, and one more thing... I think there are plenty of people in today's economy who would be thrilled to be provided a job... Maybe in the construction of a transit system? ...Or maybe as a bus driver? Train conductor? Hopefully you get the point.
*Not an exact estimate.
And (B) renovate the existing transportation systems within our Metropolitan areas. We need a system that is clean. And safe. Otherwise, everyone is going to just keep cruising the streets in their Hummers and not think twice about public transit. Americans need to be able to trust that they are not going to get mugged while on a Subway from Point A to Point B. So if we're going to expand, let's go ahead and "clean up" while we're at it.
I mean, much of the rest of the world has caught on to this and managed to build a system that works. Why are we so slow to stay ahead? Can someone say to many ties to foreign oil?!
2) (Speaking of oiland my ranting like a liberal,) Can we also not sufficiently start implementing other sources of energy beyond our nonrenewable resources?! I mean, look at all the different resources we have in all our 50 states... Can't think of any? Well, let's see.... One good example while I am sitting here in the Netherlands... Hmmm... Windpower?! (Not to mention solar power, hydropower, geothermal...) Did you know that a 5 MW wind turbine can generate more than 15 million kWh in a year? Did you also know that that 15 million kWh can provide power for over 1,400 households?! So why can't we start benefiting from these everyday resources that are replentishable?! I mean, we're not all like Dick Cheney, profiting from our crippling relations over foreign oil!
And what are the cons? It's expensive to delve into such plans and actions?! ...Not so much so when you look at the long run. And what? It's "unsightly"? Really? That's the best you got? Don't worry... The John Deere tractor you rode in on will still be able to manipulate around that wind turbine that the government is paying you to keep on your land!
(Wow, there went half of my readers!)
But don't worry, not everything I thought about on the train was as politically-minded...
3) There is just something so lulling about listening to James Horner while passing through the green, woodsy landscape of Germany.
4) I know nothing about Catholicism, and thus "Purgatory", but I have decided that I like to think of it as a train ride to Heaven. I mean, you're in limbo, anxious to get where you are going--some of us excited, some just stressed--just waiting.
Yes, I do know that I am special...
5) I adopted the song Act A Fool by Lil Jon as my theme song... for the day.
Remember this. It will come in handy when reading about the Pub Crawl in my next post.
We headed back to the Hannover station, found our platform, and hopped on our (5-mintes delayed) train. From there we departed on our (almost) two hour journey to Berlin. And though it sounds long, it was actually a comfortable--actually, the most comfortable--train ride. For one, I was just so excited to actually be on my way to Berlin. And also, something about a comfortable train ride is simply relaxing to me. I just sat there listening to my iPod, thinking... And of course, when I think, things get crazy... and random. And just in case there are any inquisitive readers out there who are wondering about what exactly I thought about, here are a few points that crossed my mind.
1) America really needs to:
(A) expand it's public transportation system. And I am not just talking about the big-city transit systems that already exist. We need to actually create more across the nation. Seriously, we really do. I mean, the Netherlands is how small? Almost twice the size of New Jersey? And they still understand the need for economical travel even though they have substantially less land to cover. And we, the US, are how big? Like 230-something times that size*? So why not actually be the united states that we are, and make it practical to travel within our country?!
Not to mention the fact that it would certainly reduce the number of cars on the road, thus reducing the carbon emission levels, pollution levels, etc. But I don't know... Some of you
Also public transportation would be so much more affordable for us "average joes"--or to all you "Mavericks", that might be better understood when read "Joe the Plumbers". So why not actually invest the money in something that will actually be a benefit to our great nation in the long run
Oh, and one more thing... I think there are plenty of people in today's economy who would be thrilled to be provided a job... Maybe in the construction of a transit system? ...Or maybe as a bus driver? Train conductor? Hopefully you get the point.
*Not an exact estimate.
And (B) renovate the existing transportation systems within our Metropolitan areas. We need a system that is clean. And safe. Otherwise, everyone is going to just keep cruising the streets in their Hummers and not think twice about public transit. Americans need to be able to trust that they are not going to get mugged while on a Subway from Point A to Point B. So if we're going to expand, let's go ahead and "clean up" while we're at it.
I mean, much of the rest of the world has caught on to this and managed to build a system that works. Why are we so slow to stay ahead? Can someone say to many ties to foreign oil?!
2) (Speaking of oil
And what are the cons? It's expensive to delve into such plans and actions?! ...Not so much so when you look at the long run. And what? It's "unsightly"? Really? That's the best you got? Don't worry... The John Deere tractor you rode in on will still be able to manipulate around that wind turbine that the government is paying you to keep on your land!
(Wow, there went half of my readers!)
But don't worry, not everything I thought about on the train was as politically-minded...
3) There is just something so lulling about listening to James Horner while passing through the green, woodsy landscape of Germany.
4) I know nothing about Catholicism, and thus "Purgatory", but I have decided that I like to think of it as a train ride to Heaven. I mean, you're in limbo, anxious to get where you are going--some of us excited, some just stressed--just waiting.
Yes, I do know that I am special...
5) I adopted the song Act A Fool by Lil Jon as my theme song... for the day.
Remember this. It will come in handy when reading about the Pub Crawl in my next post.
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