25 December, 2010

Christmas on the tracks


There are special places in every cities favorable to express feelings during festive periods. In Angers, but it's the same everywhere, the hall of the Saint-Laud railway station on december 24th was one of these special places. People awaiting relatives were inclined to speak because Chrismas promotes friendship and because the meteorological conditions which disrupt families gatherings was the issue relatives'travellers were talking about.

The mobile phones makes the people's faces more expressive : anxiety, eagerness or pleasure were visible and audible. It was cold in the hall of Saint-Laud station and, like in England or US, men and women, youngs or seniors, are drinking hot beverages in cardboard cups listening music or giving calls.

The adverts about arrivals of trains speed up the movements of the crowd  lying in wait and lead it to form a kind of guard of honour for the travellers. Within a few seconds the stairs liberate travellers happy to escape to a Christmas Eve dinner in train. These, some with gifts, in turn, are looking for familiar faces in the crowd. The roller suitcases drive their owners to the exit. The cars swallow people and luggage. Once outside the Saint-Laud station, all blend with the night and the promises of a merry Christmas.

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