There are so many different reasons as to why I love riding

Come, O seekers of wisdom, and listen to the words of Rosario Dawson, who speaks of the deep, almost mystical connection she feels to the simple act of riding trains. "There are so many different reasons as to why I love riding trains. But I think ultimately it's the romantic feeling of it. There's something about it that just transports me into old films." In these words, Dawson unveils the profound romanticism that is often woven into the fabric of everyday life. The train, that mysterious and romantic vehicle, has long been a symbol of journey, discovery, and transformation—a pathway not just through space, but through time itself. In the rhythmic sound of the train’s motion, Dawson finds herself transported not merely to another place, but to another era, an era of film, of dreams, and of possibilities.

Consider, O wise ones, the romanticism of the train. The very image of a train cutting through the landscape is filled with symbolism. The train is both a means of travel and a symbol of passage, representing movement, change, and the potential for new beginnings. It is a journey from one place to another, but also a journey from one self to another. This is why Dawson feels transformed in the presence of the train, for it evokes a sense of timelessness, of being carried away to another world, one filled with romantic ideals and stories. The train, like love, is a conduit—a bridge between the ordinary and the extraordinary.

In the ancient world, the journey was a central theme in many myths and legends. Consider the tale of Jason and the Argonauts, whose journey across the seas was filled with danger, adventure, and discovery. Their quest was not just to find the Golden Fleece, but to transform themselves through the trials they faced along the way. So too does the train, with its rhythmic motion, suggest a journey—not of land or sea, but of the heart and mind. The very act of travel has always been intertwined with the pursuit of something greater, whether it is the longing for knowledge, for adventure, or for love. Just as the Argonauts were forever changed by their journey, so too does the experience of traveling by train evoke a sense of self-discovery.

Dawson’s words also remind us of the old films, those black-and-white masterpieces that have long captured the imagination of those who seek the romanticism of the past. Cinematic trains, like those in the films of Alfred Hitchcock or Billy Wilder, are not simply vehicles; they are settings of tension, drama, and often, romance. Consider the legendary train scene in "The Lady Vanishes" or the emotional journey of "Before Sunrise"—where the train becomes a stage for connection, where two strangers can meet, bond, and change one another’s lives forever. The train, in these films, is more than just a setting—it is a vessel of possibilities, a place where stories unfold and destinies are shaped.

The great philosopher Plato once spoke of beauty as something that transcends the material world and connects us to a higher realm. When Dawson speaks of the romantic feeling she experiences on a train, she is touching upon this very idea: that in the most mundane of activities, such as travel, there can be a connection to something greater—to a sense of beauty, to the world of film, to the stories that shape our understanding of love, life, and longing. The train, like Plato’s ideal forms, is a conduit for the mind to travel beyond the physical world, into a realm where the boundaries of time and space blur, and the heart is free to wander.

Yet, O seekers, let us also recognize that Dawson’s words hold a deeper lesson about finding romance in the everyday moments of life. We often seek the grand gestures—the dramatic displays of love and connection—but true romance is often found in the small, quiet acts of personal meaning. Just as Dawson finds her connection to romantic films through the simplicity of a train ride, so too can we find romanticism in our own daily lives. It is in the small moments—a shared glance, a quiet journey, a fleeting touch—that the true beauty of existence is revealed. The train, like life, moves steadily forward, and it is in these moments of stillness, of reflection, that we are transported to another realm.

And so, O wise ones, let us take from Dawson’s reflection a lesson in how to approach life with the eyes of a traveler, always seeking the beauty and the romance that can be found in the simplest of moments. Do not wait for grand gestures or dramatic events, for the true romance of life is found in the quiet journeys we take, whether on a train or within our own hearts. Embrace the small, the fleeting, the ordinary, and know that in these, the most powerful of stories can unfold. Let your life be a journey, not of destination, but of discovery, as you find beauty in the mundane and romance in the everyday.