A Thirty Second Flood of Memories

Not very long ago, a Facebook friend posted about his memories of riding trains. In my comment to his post, I mentioned that my first train trip occurred about twenty years ago while working in Germany. That comment led me to search YouTube, where I found the video below.

It is only about thirty seconds long and, at first glance, not very special. It was shot from a moving train in Germany, somewhere between Trier and Koblenz. However, to me, it is very special.

Here's why...

While working in Trier, Germany, during the early and mid-90s, I would ride this very train on weekends, usually traveling from Trier to Cologne and then onto another train that would take me in other directions, eventually getting me to wherever I was heading (usually to visit a friend, sometimes to simply explore). 

Part of that line, from Trier to Koblenz, is a famous line dating back to the 1800s. In many places, it follows (and crosses, as seen in the video) the very scenic Moselle (Mosel in German) river. It was along this line, along the Mosel, that I made my first trip by rail.

The video was obviously taken on an overcast, dreary day, yet it brought back a flood of memories—so many that I could not help but watch it over and over. In my mind, the fog easily disperses, revealing a sky that is a crystal-clear sapphire blue. The hills are deep green, and the river reflects the sunlight pouring down from above—just as I remember it.

I know it means a lot more to me than it will to those who read this, but still, I feel a need to share. It was a very special time in my life, and it amazes me how a thirty-second video shot on a less-than-perfect day by someone I will never know can so easily transport me, if only in my mind, to another place and another time.