🚉 At the Train Station 🤗 | Story About Finding Calm in Busy Places

1
00:00:02,080 --> 00:00:07,590
Welcome to The Slow Life.
I'm Jennifer Vino and I create,

2
00:00:07,640 --> 00:00:12,050
narrate and design the
soundscape of this village of

3
00:00:12,060 --> 00:00:15,810
cosy stories to relax and
unwind.

4
00:00:16,850 --> 00:00:20,240
Each week I share an original
story.

5
00:00:20,330 --> 00:00:25,360
Read 2 times so you can relax
even more during the second

6
00:00:25,370 --> 00:00:31,740
reading.
I also create micro experiences

7
00:00:31,790 --> 00:00:34,560
inspired by the stories you
hear.

8
00:00:35,590 --> 00:00:40,900
These are short, gentle reading
moments designed to help you

9
00:00:40,910 --> 00:00:45,760
slow down and rest in the
village for as long as you like.

10
00:00:46,980 --> 00:00:52,210
They're available now to enjoy
on screen or on paper,

11
00:00:52,360 --> 00:00:59,510
individually or in small bundles
through the slow life.ca under

12
00:00:59,520 --> 00:01:05,540
the Shop tab.
Let's settle in with some easy

13
00:01:05,550 --> 00:01:11,930
breathing at your own pace.
With each inhale, let fresh air

14
00:01:11,940 --> 00:01:14,390
fill the space around your
heart.

15
00:01:15,950 --> 00:01:21,820
With each exhale, feel the calm
air spread through your body and

16
00:01:21,830 --> 00:01:28,600
flow out through your arms and
legs, gently in through your

17
00:01:28,610 --> 00:01:36,700
heart.
Gently out through your body, in

18
00:01:36,760 --> 00:01:42,450
through your heart, out through
your body.

19
00:01:45,350 --> 00:01:53,050
And now let's begin.
This story is called at the

20
00:01:53,060 --> 00:01:58,570
train station and it's a boat
architecture that doesn't need

21
00:01:58,580 --> 00:02:03,610
to change.
Quiet entertainment and enjoying

22
00:02:03,620 --> 00:02:10,600
a treat.
This station comes into view

23
00:02:10,820 --> 00:02:14,880
with its roof line stretching
longer than I remember.

24
00:02:16,700 --> 00:02:23,020
The building has an older, solid
look to it, stone along the

25
00:02:23,030 --> 00:02:29,380
lower half, large windows above,
and a sense that it's been here

26
00:02:29,390 --> 00:02:35,210
for a long time.
As I look at the architecture

27
00:02:35,280 --> 00:02:40,570
and the people going in and out
of its doors, I think about how

28
00:02:40,580 --> 00:02:45,350
it doesn't need to change much
to function the way we need it

29
00:02:45,360 --> 00:02:49,780
to.
I thank the person holding the

30
00:02:49,790 --> 00:02:55,140
door for me, and as I step
inside, the atmosphere feels

31
00:02:55,150 --> 00:03:01,990
different right away.
There's a steady hum, not loud,

32
00:03:02,080 --> 00:03:08,890
with a sense of quiet within it.
Shoes moving across the floor,

33
00:03:09,300 --> 00:03:15,430
the low roll of suitcases,
voices blending together without

34
00:03:15,440 --> 00:03:20,980
standing out.
I paused just past the entrance,

35
00:03:21,310 --> 00:03:26,380
not in anyone's way, just taking
a moment to look around.

36
00:03:28,010 --> 00:03:32,940
The ceiling is higher than I
expected, tall enough to give

37
00:03:32,950 --> 00:03:37,780
the space some openness.
The light comes in through the

38
00:03:37,790 --> 00:03:42,920
upper windows, soft and
diffused, mixing with the

39
00:03:42,930 --> 00:03:46,490
overhead fixtures that have a
warmer tone.

40
00:03:48,120 --> 00:03:53,430
Some are large chandeliers that
keep the old style and add a

41
00:03:53,440 --> 00:03:59,330
touch of elegance.
The floors are worn in places,

42
00:03:59,740 --> 00:04:04,710
not damaged, just showing the
pathways of years of people

43
00:04:04,720 --> 00:04:09,830
passing through.
There's a pattern to the tiles

44
00:04:09,900 --> 00:04:15,630
that I don't fully notice at
first, but once I do, I see how

45
00:04:15,640 --> 00:04:18,610
it repeats across the entire
room.

46
00:04:20,410 --> 00:04:25,400
It gives the impression of a
stately ballroom when I look at

47
00:04:25,410 --> 00:04:31,970
it all at once.
I move further inside, walking

48
00:04:31,980 --> 00:04:37,690
without much purpose.
The arrivals board is off to one

49
00:04:37,700 --> 00:04:43,580
side, but I don't check it yet.
I already know there's time

50
00:04:43,590 --> 00:04:49,440
before my friend gets here.
Rows of wooden benches are

51
00:04:49,450 --> 00:04:54,270
spread through the middle of the
room, with lots of space between

52
00:04:54,280 --> 00:04:57,700
them.
Summer empty.

53
00:04:57,910 --> 00:05:02,400
Others hold people sitting with
their bags at their feet or

54
00:05:02,410 --> 00:05:06,620
beside them.
No one looks hurried.

55
00:05:07,300 --> 00:05:13,110
A few people glance up now and
then, but most are settled into

56
00:05:13,120 --> 00:05:17,980
waiting.
I choose a bench along the wall

57
00:05:18,050 --> 00:05:23,790
where I can see the whole scene.
The wood is smooth and slightly

58
00:05:23,800 --> 00:05:29,660
cool as I sit down.
I like watching the trains come

59
00:05:29,670 --> 00:05:34,280
and go through the windows on
the opposite side of the

60
00:05:34,290 --> 00:05:40,140
entrance.
The sound builds slowly, a low

61
00:05:40,150 --> 00:05:44,470
rumble that becomes more defined
as they move along.

62
00:05:46,190 --> 00:05:51,170
It fades again after a few
moments, leaving the room as it

63
00:05:51,180 --> 00:05:56,880
was before.
I lean back slightly and lower

64
00:05:56,890 --> 00:06:03,450
my shoulders with a slow breath.
People move through the space in

65
00:06:03,460 --> 00:06:07,670
a steady flow.
Some head straight toward the

66
00:06:07,680 --> 00:06:12,010
platforms.
Others come in more slowly,

67
00:06:12,160 --> 00:06:17,210
looking around as they enter,
adjusting to being inside.

68
00:06:18,840 --> 00:06:24,190
A few stand near the centre of
the room, checking their phones

69
00:06:24,200 --> 00:06:30,210
or glancing up at the board.
There's something easy about

70
00:06:30,220 --> 00:06:35,260
watching it all, a full display
of live entertainment.

71
00:06:36,980 --> 00:06:42,690
A person crosses in front of me,
pulling a small suitcase that

72
00:06:42,700 --> 00:06:46,080
makes a soft rolling sound
across the floor.

73
00:06:47,560 --> 00:06:53,230
Another follows a few steps
behind, carrying a bag over one

74
00:06:53,240 --> 00:06:57,510
shoulder.
Their pace matches without them

75
00:06:57,520 --> 00:07:02,850
seeming to notice.
Near the far wall, someone

76
00:07:02,860 --> 00:07:07,290
stands with a paper cup, holding
it in both hands.

77
00:07:08,430 --> 00:07:12,700
They don't drink from it right
away, just stand there for a

78
00:07:12,710 --> 00:07:16,650
moment, looking toward the doors
to the platforms.

79
00:07:18,420 --> 00:07:23,870
I see a small food counter off
to the side and decide to walk

80
00:07:23,880 --> 00:07:28,490
over.
It's well kept and offers a good

81
00:07:28,500 --> 00:07:32,400
selection.
The counter is a darker wood

82
00:07:32,410 --> 00:07:36,620
than the benches, polished
enough to reflect a bit of

83
00:07:36,630 --> 00:07:41,550
light.
Behind it there shelves with pre

84
00:07:41,560 --> 00:07:47,620
made sandwiches wrapped neatly,
a few pastries and glass

85
00:07:47,630 --> 00:07:51,470
containers with things like
cookies and squares.

86
00:07:53,240 --> 00:07:58,400
I take a moment to look over
what's there, not feeling rushed

87
00:07:58,410 --> 00:08:03,150
to choose.
Nothing complicated, just things

88
00:08:03,160 --> 00:08:05,720
that would be good to have while
waiting.

89
00:08:07,510 --> 00:08:13,040
I order a small pastry and a hot
drink, then step aside while

90
00:08:13,050 --> 00:08:18,040
it's prepared.
It soon said on the counter in

91
00:08:18,050 --> 00:08:21,660
front of me.
I pick it up and turn back

92
00:08:21,670 --> 00:08:27,110
toward the seating area.
This time I choose a different

93
00:08:27,120 --> 00:08:31,450
bench closer to the hallway that
leads to the tracks.

94
00:08:32,730 --> 00:08:35,630
From here the sounds shift
slightly.

95
00:08:36,669 --> 00:08:40,530
I can hear more from the
direction of the trains now,

96
00:08:41,450 --> 00:08:45,680
doors opening and closing
somewhere beyond view.

97
00:08:47,490 --> 00:08:51,760
A faint announcement comes
through, but it softened by

98
00:08:51,770 --> 00:08:54,950
distance and the acoustics of
the building.

99
00:08:56,810 --> 00:09:00,700
I don't try to make out the
words as I know it doesn't

100
00:09:00,710 --> 00:09:03,440
pertain to me.
During this visit to the

101
00:09:03,450 --> 00:09:09,490
station, among the middle
benches, someone stands up from

102
00:09:09,500 --> 00:09:14,770
their seat, adjusts their bag
and heads toward the hallway.

103
00:09:16,400 --> 00:09:21,710
A few others follow not long
after, spacing themselves out

104
00:09:21,720 --> 00:09:26,000
calmly.
It's nice that no one seems to

105
00:09:26,010 --> 00:09:32,790
be rushing to catch their train.
I unwrapped the food slowly, the

106
00:09:32,800 --> 00:09:39,460
paper folding back easily.
I sit for a while, enjoying my

107
00:09:39,470 --> 00:09:44,100
treat, watching the room
continue as it has been.

108
00:09:45,710 --> 00:09:49,020
Another train arrives at the
platform.

109
00:09:49,590 --> 00:09:53,800
I can hear the shift in sound as
it comes to a stop.

110
00:09:55,210 --> 00:09:59,020
There's a pause, and then more
movement from the hallway.

111
00:10:00,680 --> 00:10:07,180
A few people appear walking back
into the main area, some by

112
00:10:07,190 --> 00:10:10,280
themselves, others in small
groups.

113
00:10:11,830 --> 00:10:17,020
I check the arrival board.
This time the time matches what

114
00:10:17,030 --> 00:10:23,060
I expected.
Not long now, I stand and move

115
00:10:23,070 --> 00:10:26,920
through the doors and hallway to
where the trains are.

116
00:10:28,300 --> 00:10:33,130
Another announcement comes
through, clearer this time, but

117
00:10:33,140 --> 00:10:38,230
still not something I need to
focus on more.

118
00:10:38,240 --> 00:10:43,210
People begin to gather near the
tracks, not forming a line

119
00:10:43,220 --> 00:10:46,670
exactly, just positioning
themselves.

120
00:10:48,450 --> 00:10:54,160
I stay where I am, watching as
people step off the train 1 by

121
00:10:54,170 --> 00:10:58,460
1.
They pause to look around or

122
00:10:58,470 --> 00:11:04,930
move forward right away.
Then I see them near the end,

123
00:11:05,100 --> 00:11:10,070
walking slowly until they see me
and their pace quickens.

124
00:11:11,660 --> 00:11:17,730
I lift my hand in a small wave
that turns into a huge hug when

125
00:11:17,740 --> 00:11:25,290
they reach me at the train
station.

126
00:11:28,720 --> 00:11:33,950
This station comes into view
with its roof line stretching

127
00:11:33,960 --> 00:11:40,440
longer than I remember.
The building has an older, solid

128
00:11:40,450 --> 00:11:47,960
look to it, stone along the
lower half, large windows above,

129
00:11:48,150 --> 00:11:51,810
and a sense that it's been here
for a long time.

130
00:11:53,740 --> 00:11:58,650
As I look at the architecture
and the people going in and out

131
00:11:58,660 --> 00:12:04,270
of its doors, I think about how
it doesn't need to change much

132
00:12:04,320 --> 00:12:06,800
to function the way we need it
to.

133
00:12:08,560 --> 00:12:13,310
I thank the person holding the
door for me, and as I step

134
00:12:13,320 --> 00:12:17,800
inside, the atmosphere feels
different right away.

135
00:12:19,700 --> 00:12:25,500
There's a steady hum, not loud,
with a sense of quiet within it.

136
00:12:27,060 --> 00:12:32,850
Shoes moving across the floor,
the low roll of suitcases,

137
00:12:33,480 --> 00:12:37,450
voices blending together without
standing out.

138
00:12:39,190 --> 00:12:45,400
I paused just past the entrance,
not in anyone's way, just taking

139
00:12:45,410 --> 00:12:51,020
a moment to look around.
The ceiling is higher than I

140
00:12:51,030 --> 00:12:55,820
expected, tall enough to give
the space some openness.

141
00:12:56,840 --> 00:13:01,330
The light comes in through the
upper windows, soft and

142
00:13:01,340 --> 00:13:06,330
diffused, mixing with the
overhead fixtures that have a

143
00:13:06,340 --> 00:13:11,950
warmer tone.
Some are large chandeliers that

144
00:13:11,960 --> 00:13:16,170
keep the old style and add a
touch of elegance.

145
00:13:17,880 --> 00:13:23,130
The floors are worn in places,
not damaged, just showing the

146
00:13:23,140 --> 00:13:26,860
pathways of years of people
passing through.

147
00:13:28,380 --> 00:13:32,830
There's a pattern to the tiles
that I don't fully notice at

148
00:13:32,840 --> 00:13:39,110
first, but once I do, I see how
it repeats across the entire

149
00:13:39,120 --> 00:13:43,570
room.
It gives the impression of a

150
00:13:43,580 --> 00:13:47,740
stately ballroom when I look at
it all at once.

151
00:13:49,740 --> 00:13:54,610
I move further inside, walking
without much purpose.

152
00:13:56,080 --> 00:14:01,250
The arrivals board is off to one
side, but I don't check it yet.

153
00:14:02,590 --> 00:14:06,540
I already know there's time
before my friend gets here.

154
00:14:08,190 --> 00:14:12,280
Rows of wooden benches are
spread through the middle of the

155
00:14:12,290 --> 00:14:15,600
room, with lots of space between
them.

156
00:14:17,080 --> 00:14:21,290
Summer empty.
Others hold people sitting with

157
00:14:21,300 --> 00:14:24,460
their bags at their feet or
beside them.

158
00:14:25,980 --> 00:14:30,920
No one looks hurried.
A few people glance up now and

159
00:14:30,930 --> 00:14:34,780
then, but most are settled into
waiting.

160
00:14:36,440 --> 00:14:41,260
I choose a bench along the wall
where I can see the whole scene.

161
00:14:42,500 --> 00:14:46,480
The wood is smooth and slightly
cool as I sit down.

162
00:14:48,070 --> 00:14:53,520
I like watching the trains come
and go through the windows on

163
00:14:53,530 --> 00:14:56,070
the opposite side of the
entrance.

164
00:14:57,740 --> 00:15:04,070
The sound builds slowly, a low
rumble that becomes more defined

165
00:15:04,080 --> 00:15:09,570
as they move along.
It fades again after a few

166
00:15:09,580 --> 00:15:13,370
moments, leaving the room as it
was before.

167
00:15:15,320 --> 00:15:20,320
I lean back slightly and lower
my shoulders with a slow breath.

168
00:15:21,910 --> 00:15:25,810
People move through the space in
a steady flow.

169
00:15:26,680 --> 00:15:29,880
Some head straight toward the
platforms.

170
00:15:30,420 --> 00:15:35,670
Others come in more slowly,
looking around as they enter,

171
00:15:35,800 --> 00:15:42,540
adjusting to being inside.
A few stand near the centre of

172
00:15:42,550 --> 00:15:47,230
the room, checking their phones
or glancing up at the board.

173
00:15:49,210 --> 00:15:54,500
There's something easy about
watching it all, a full display

174
00:15:54,510 --> 00:16:01,010
of live entertainment.
A person crosses in front of me,

175
00:16:01,300 --> 00:16:05,930
pulling a small suitcase that
makes a soft rolling sound

176
00:16:05,940 --> 00:16:10,930
across the floor.
Another follows a few steps

177
00:16:10,940 --> 00:16:14,910
behind, carrying a bag over one
shoulder.

178
00:16:16,160 --> 00:16:19,900
Their pace matches without them
seeming to notice.

179
00:16:21,420 --> 00:16:26,850
Near the far wall, someone
stands with a paper cup, holding

180
00:16:26,860 --> 00:16:31,230
it in both hands.
They don't drink from it right

181
00:16:31,240 --> 00:16:36,390
away, just stand there for a
moment, looking toward the doors

182
00:16:36,400 --> 00:16:42,250
to the platforms.
I see a small food counter off

183
00:16:42,260 --> 00:16:45,410
to the side and decide to walk
over.

184
00:16:46,810 --> 00:16:50,400
It's well kept and offers a good
selection.

185
00:16:51,210 --> 00:16:55,700
The counter is a darker wood
than the benches, polished

186
00:16:55,710 --> 00:16:58,130
enough to reflect a bit of
light.

187
00:16:59,690 --> 00:17:05,290
Behind it there shelves with pre
made sandwiches wrapped neatly,

188
00:17:06,230 --> 00:17:10,750
a few pastries and glass
containers with things like

189
00:17:10,760 --> 00:17:16,550
cookies and squares.
I take a moment to look over

190
00:17:16,560 --> 00:17:20,200
what's there, not feeling rushed
to choose.

191
00:17:21,150 --> 00:17:26,119
Nothing complicated, just things
that would be good to have while

192
00:17:26,130 --> 00:17:31,310
waiting.
I order a small pastry and a hot

193
00:17:31,320 --> 00:17:35,000
drink, then step aside while
it's prepared.

194
00:17:36,690 --> 00:17:39,820
It soon sat on the counter in
front of me.

195
00:17:40,550 --> 00:17:44,420
I pick it up and turn back
toward the seating area.

196
00:17:46,100 --> 00:17:51,010
This time I choose a different
bench closer to the hallway that

197
00:17:51,020 --> 00:17:55,920
leads to the tracks.
From here the sounds shift

198
00:17:55,930 --> 00:17:59,420
slightly.
I can hear more from the

199
00:17:59,430 --> 00:18:04,880
direction of the trains now,
doors opening and closing

200
00:18:04,890 --> 00:18:10,330
somewhere beyond view.
A faint announcement comes

201
00:18:10,340 --> 00:18:15,190
through, but it softened by
distance and the acoustics of

202
00:18:15,200 --> 00:18:19,600
the building.
I don't try to make out the

203
00:18:19,610 --> 00:18:22,970
words as I know it doesn't
pertain to me.

204
00:18:22,980 --> 00:18:27,980
During this visit to the
station, among the middle

205
00:18:27,990 --> 00:18:33,680
benches, someone stands up from
their seat, adjusts their bag

206
00:18:33,770 --> 00:18:39,910
and heads toward the hallway.
A few others follow not long

207
00:18:39,920 --> 00:18:43,430
after, spacing themselves out
calmly.

208
00:18:44,920 --> 00:18:49,240
It's nice that no one seems to
be rushing to catch their train.

209
00:18:50,820 --> 00:18:56,470
I unwrap the food slowly, the
paper folding back easily.

210
00:18:57,940 --> 00:19:02,990
I sit for a while, enjoying my
treat, watching the room

211
00:19:03,000 --> 00:19:08,910
continue as it has been.
Another train arrives at the

212
00:19:08,920 --> 00:19:13,430
platform.
I can hear the shift in sound as

213
00:19:13,440 --> 00:19:18,300
it comes to a stop.
There's a pause, and then more

214
00:19:18,310 --> 00:19:25,100
movement from the hallway.
A few people appear walking back

215
00:19:25,110 --> 00:19:30,660
into the main area, some by
themselves, others in small

216
00:19:30,670 --> 00:19:34,780
groups.
I check the arrival board.

217
00:19:34,790 --> 00:19:39,110
This time the time matches what
I expected.

218
00:19:39,760 --> 00:19:46,610
Not long now, I stand and move
through the doors and hallway to

219
00:19:46,620 --> 00:19:51,290
where the trains are.
Another announcement comes

220
00:19:51,300 --> 00:19:56,180
through, clearer this time, but
still not something I need to

221
00:19:56,190 --> 00:20:01,530
focus on more.
People begin to gather near the

222
00:20:01,540 --> 00:20:06,770
tracks, not forming a line
exactly, just positioning

223
00:20:06,780 --> 00:20:12,550
themselves.
I stay where I am, watching as

224
00:20:12,560 --> 00:20:15,710
people step off the train 1 by
1.

225
00:20:16,930 --> 00:20:21,300
They pause to look around or
move forward right away.

226
00:20:22,860 --> 00:20:29,270
Then I see them near the end,
walking slowly until they see me

227
00:20:29,340 --> 00:20:35,590
and their pace quickens.
I lift my hand in a small wave

228
00:20:35,660 --> 00:20:39,700
that turns into a huge hug when
they reach me.

229
00:20:42,220 --> 00:20:44,760
I wish you sweet dreams.