Wonder

My hands were cold as I embarked on the train. I wrap my hands in my sleeves in the cold but that only goes so far. I sat down on a chair, a chair coated in blue fabric; blue for Scotland. The chairs had taller backs than usual. I did not know how to rest my head. I put in my headphones with excitement. I enjoy listening to music on the train.

The train left the station, whirring as it went along. I started to gaze out the window. I have been on this journey many times. With that said, the scenery never gets tiring. I looked up and noticed a young woman staring out the window. She was with a friend, but her attention was captivated by the outside world. The vistas of green.

Occasionally, we would pass a castle or an old stately building.

Behind her was another young woman, also looking out the window. This woman had a sense of wonder as she gazed out the window. I felt like our expressions were aligned; feeling joy as we watched the world go by. For nature was putting on a delightful show: the trees, bare for winter, were slightly frosted. The grass outside was a luscious green. Sometimes, the grass was coated in frost; the kind of frost that would melt away after a few hours of sun.

I noted the following words in my digital notepad:

Feeling like I’m in a fairytale

I was captivated by the sense of wonder. The awe of the Scottish countryside had my heart and soul. I changed the music to my favourite Taylor Swift album, Folklore. The album contains many songs with notes of solemnity. Every song tells a story. This is the kind of music that makes you feel at peace; delicate, articulate. My awe was magnified by the soft voice of music echoing in my ears.

As I travelled, gazing out the window, my eyes sometimes closed. I was tired from the day. Although my eyes were heavy, the beauty of the world outside kept me awake. I was at peace. Such moments are precious for me. The kind when there are no intrusive voices telling me that I should be working on a task like writing or coding. Thoughts passed as quickly as the train passed trees. I thought about little other than how the countryside can be so beautiful. I was enthralled in the delightful ropes of wonder.

Looking back, I am curious what the other people gazing out the window were thinking. Perhaps they, too, were reflecting on the beauty of nature.