Rome

I love the train. The train system I know best is in Italy. The system is especially good when you are going north-south, That is not exclusively so because trips between Milano and Venezia or Genova or Torino are also frequent and enjoyable. There is an independence in train travel that makes it so different than traveling by air. To be sure I am speaking of public travel. You all in your G-whatever are excluded but then that is why you travel that way - to exclude everyone else. There is a level of independence when you are traveling by train. Once you have your ticket the rest is pretty much up to you. The terminals are grand edifices — cathedrals of travel. Milano Centrale is the perfect example of such a cathedral. Opened in 1931 it is the largest by volume in Europe. The idea of the station began in 1906 but construction did not commence in earnest until 1912. Due to the economic crisis attributed to World War I construction was very slow but in 1925 a renewed effort to complete the station resulted in its opening in 1931. It was inaugurated by then Prime Minister Benito Mussolini who saw it as a demonstration of the success of his Fascist regime. Regardless of who cut the ribbon, this station is still a marvel in elegance and substance.

Train travel is simple in its efficiency. There are no separate terminals for competing airlines, no buses driving around and around taking confused and exhausted passengers to said terminals. None of that —— you arrive at the terminal with your luggage which never leaves your side. Fancy that, you are in charge of your own luggage. Pack as much as you want as it is up to you to lift it. The schedule of all trains are represented by an enormous electronic billboard ( think a Jumbotron stadium scoreboard) which flashes your train number; time of departure; arrival city and the binario (the track from which it will leave). You walk to the numbered track, rolling your bag to the designated coach, get on the train, find your seat and you are done. Except, of course, when the conductor stops by to see your ticket. When you arrive at your destination — repeat. In the interim you sit quietly in your seat and read, sleep, or watch the world go by from a large window. What is missing is the interminable instructions that come over an indistinguishable PA system —— seat belts; tray tables, overhead luggage; under your seat; oxygen masks and on and on. No one selling you credit cards or scolding you because you got out of your seat at the wrong time. You are not crammed into a seat that was made for a ten year old. It is a demonstration of a basic service being provided and the trust that you are capable of finding your seat; taking care of your belongings and entertaining yourself. All the while the service does what it said it would do —- moves you from point A to point B. All at 200 mph.

The other benefits of this modern yet simple form of transportation —- one - It gets you to your destination when it said it would and two - you don’t have to wait for your luggage because your luggage is with you at al times. Finally I didn’t have to put my tray table up, nor my seat back, turn off my computer, wait for the jet bridge operator to wake up or wait for the gate to open up. I just got up pick up my bag and walked off the train…

Milan to Rome — 3 hours!!!! 356 miles —- simple