One of the most interesting experiences of the trip has been our time on the Metro. I've never lived in a big city, and have thus never really experienced public transportation before. I'm surprised to find it is much like I've always imagined, TV actually serves this one up correctly.
I've come across many interesting people on the metro, whether it be the creeper that sat way to close to Emma, or the old lady lost in her book on the way to her stop. The very first day when we took the Metro a few of us were pleasantly surprised to hear music, which we assumed was coming from some sort of radio system they had set up in the rail car. We soon found out that it was actually a gentleman playing the saxophone a little way down the car. We have seen him a couple of times since then, and his music always makes me smile.
When walking to the different Metro stops through the tunnels, one is also up for an experience. Many performers set up in the tunnels to catch people as they rush through, most often we've run across accordion players. They are typically dancing to and fro as they play an upbeat tune. The coolest music we've come by is a group of about 5 people who each play a different instrument and sing as they do so. There's a violin and an upright bass, the others I can't recall. They are very good and I am always cheered up when I hear them playing around the corner. The least favorite performer is a gentleman who plays the accordion who apparently has a thing for Emma. Each time we pass him he either jumps forward and plays a note on his accordion for her or chases her a little bit. She always turns bright red and scurries away as quickly as she can.
I'm slowly learning the rules of the Metro, as there is definitely a way of doing things. First off, you can't be too kind when getting on the Metro or you're bound to be left behind. When the rail car pulls in, you best get moving towards the door. If you hang back too long you'll hear the buzzer and know you should hold back. When the buzzer sounds the doors are soon to close, and those doors stop for no one. I'm quite sure someone has lost a limb due to those things. I think that the conductors can stop their closing, but I wouldn't want a limb dependent on it. Next, if you want a seat, you better be even faster getting on the train. We get on at La Defense, which is the first stop on the line. In the mornings it is pretty crowded, so if you want a seat you best push your way through everyone else trying to get a seat. We have quite a long way (10 minutes) before our next stop, so all of us headed to the school are vying for a spot to sit. But not only do we want seats, everyone else does to. If you don't get a spot right away you can wait to grab one when someone gets up, but realize that everyone around you is waiting for the same thing. Finally, I've realized that the Metro is quiet time for many people. Later in the evening you can be a little louder, but the mornings are typically quite quiet (except for the sound of the Metro lines, of course). Hardly anyone talks and I'm trying hard to get used to that.
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