A small red light, blinking in the console of my Honda Pilot, was indicating that I was running out of gas. I moved my sight towards the middle of the dashboard where a digital clock is mounted just on top of the stereo. It was eight minutes before six o'clock in the morning. The ACE Train station in Tracy was still eight miles away and I had to be there before train number 3 arrives. I could make it to the station on time but I doubt if I could make it to the gas station when I come back in the evening. I had no choice but to stop by in a gasoline station. Chevron was the closest one.
The digital display on the pump seemed to be slow than usual. It felt like a tease. Telling me that I should have filled up the night before..... It was last night, on my way back home from the station, when I first saw that tiny lamp lit up. It kept on blinking like it was begging to quench its thirst. But at the time, my stomach was as hungry and I could hear it roar louder than the engine. I chose to go home instead and worry about the car in the morning.
Five gallons of high octane gas is enough for now. It will be good for this entire week. Had I not decided to ride a train going to the office, five gallons will only last a day. Taking the train saves me at least half the money I spend on gas. My car's mileage came down from 90 miles per day to just 20. I wasn't as tired. And this is my simple way of keeping our air clean. One less car on the road.
Today, I almost missed the six o'clock train. I was driving at W. Linne Road, parallel to the tracks when I saw the four bright lights in front of train's huge engine. I was going the opposite way. The sign on the road says 45. That was the speed limit but the needle in my spedometer was already positioned at 12 o'clock. The parking lot is on the other side of the track, so it had become a race between the Pilot and the train to the crossing. I barely made it. I was the last person to get on board.
This is ACE train number 3 en route to San Jose.
Please place your belongings underneath your seats or on your lap.
All Aboard!!!
I see the same faces every morning. Each one of them greets me with a big smile and with that very common american greeting 'how u doin?'. Ahhh, the Train People. Always kind and friendly. The regular folks usually belong to one of the many groups you see in the train. Today has only been my seventh day, so I still feel an outcast. I usually sit close to the group of Filipinos.
On my left is a group of three gentlemen and a lady who are concentrating on their game of poker. Behind me are a couple who are enjoying their movie, Bad Boys II. Across them were a group of people who are busy surfing the internet with their laptops. One of the many features on this train is the free Wi-Fi internet on board. And on the lower level, you will find food and coffee available for everyone at no cost.
Right in front of me is a lady who sits alone by herself. This is the fourth time I've seen her. All those times, she was not with anyone. She is probably a newbie like me. Across us is another woman who's mind is probably out of this world by now because she's been sleeping since I got on board. There was this guy who sits close to the isle who talks to everyone around him. He tells a lot of stories about himself and his brother when they were young. Sometimes he would stand up and talk to a guy four seats down. He seems to be a very friendly guy.
This will be a long hour and a half ride. What shall I do this time? Last week, I spent most of my time reading the "Da Vinci Code." First book I ever finished reading. And yesterday, I finished reading "Tuesdays with morrie." That book was too depressing.
I've got a new book in my back pack. It's another one of Dan Brown's, the "Angels and Demons." It's a gift from an officemate and a friend. Don Pette. He is one of the nicest people in the office. When I arrived yesterday morning, I saw this book in my cubicle. I knew rightaway it's from him so I immediately thanked him for that. But then he asked me, "you haven't bought one yet, have you?" I was going to lie but for some reason he could sense it, and he immediately pulled out the receipt and asked me to take it back to the bookstore and get another one. I told him I'll keep it.
Approaching Vasco Station! Approaching Vasco Station!
Please do not forget to take your belongings with you.
Please take your garbage to the receptacle at the lower level of this train.
Time flies. Half an hour had already passed. I decided not to read the book and just enjoy the ride and write about what I see. The sun is starting to come out. I looked up and see flocks of hundreds of birds flying south. They all seem to be heading where the train is going. They are coming from everywhere. Where are they going? On the left side of the train, I glanced upon a fox with its head sticking out of the tall grasses. Behind it was a beautiful view of the hills which are now emerald green. I can see dozens of cows everywhere. Someday, before the winter begins, I will go to one of these hills with my camera and capture this beauty.
It is now five minutes after seven. We just left the Fremont Station. On the right side of the train is a wide area of salt evaporator. I can see the Dumbarton Bridge farther up. On the left side is a quarry lake where there are different species of birds resting. I can see thousands of them. This place is probably the destination of those birds I saw earlier. Or just their resting place?
Wait, what is that up ahead? So many birds circling an area on top of a hill. What is on that hill? The girl next to me must have noticed my astonishment and said, that my friend, is a dump site. Now it all make sense. Those birds just wanted to eat breakfast and that hill is their Mc Donalds. Well that really wasn't the main reason those birds were flying south. They fly south to migrate. They do that every year when the weather changes. When there is less light in a day, less food made by plants, less insects flying around. They head south because the weather is warmer.
Next stop, Great America.
This is my stop. I enjoyed this trip. I enjoyed the views. And I enjoyed the company of these friendly people. The Train People.
