What a Contrast

Needless to say, there was quite a contrast between the almost-empty train station at Lamy and crowded Union Station in Chicago. The surprising thing was how friendly the Amtrak people were at both places. Instead of just dropping us off at the station coming back, Kaitlin and Torben came in with us, carrying our bags. The sign to our waiting room said, “Ticketed passengers only beyond this point,” but Kaitlin explained to the fellow at the desk that they were just coming in to get us settled. It was fine with him.

He gave Andy a boarding pass and said if we left the waiting room be sure to take it with us, we would need it to get back in. Andy must have looked hesitant, because Kaitlin said, “Just don’t go out.” The fellow agreed, “Just don’t go out.” He seemed relieved to know that this elderly couple wouldn’t wander out, forget where they were, and miss their train.

Andy and I still think of ourselves as reasonably competent. Clearly not everyone agrees with our assessment.

This entry was posted in Life As a Shared Adventure. Bookmark the permalink.

11 Responses to What a Contrast

  1. Cathy in NZ says:

    yep, old people can’t be trusted!! LoL 🙂

  2. Rummuser says:

    Looks can be deceptive!

  3. Rummuser says:

    “Scientists including doctors most commonly get mixed up between absence of evidence and evidence of absence”
    ~ Nassim Nicholas Taleb

    • Jean says:

      I told Andy we can tell when we’re in serious trouble if Kaitlin comes to the doctor with us and they talk to her instead of to us. Apparently some still-intelligent oldsters have that problem.

  4. bikehikebabe says:

    They used to call me “Miss” when I was middle aged. 😀 Now they say “Can I help you?” 🙁

    • Jean says:

      When we got our flu shots recently the nurse was patronizing. She exclaimed about Andy’s arm muscle. I was wondering if some people have lost theirs, but she went on saying what great shape we were both in, and our doctor must be doing a good job to keep us that way. Huh? The doctor is doing it? My doctor is grateful that I try to stay healthy.

    • bikehikebabe says:

      It’s my white hair. I am physically fit.

    • Jean says:

      It doesn’t matter to some people if we’re fit or not. Stereotypes are stereotypes.

    • bikehikebabe says:

      Yes. 🙂 I was dyeing my grey hair when they were calling me Miss.

Comments are closed.