This is a Red Line train to...

see all photos »

Picture From www.rtachicago.com

After freshly arriving to Chicago from a delayed Metra ride to a 15 minute walk through downtown to a delayed CTA ride I find myself on the far north side where my adventures begin. Chicago's locally recognized transit system seems to go by two nicknames depending on who you talk to. The first is the most common moniker for the elevated train which is the "L". The second is the "el" and neither of them make much sense to a native outsider such as myself. Some Chicago residents I talked too on my CTA ride were quick to point out that the nickname of "L" stands for the Loop which is the hub of the CTA were the different train lines meet. Each line is designated by a color: Blue, Green, Red, Brown, Yellow, Pink, and Orange. The term "el" doesnt stand for 'the' as I would expect it to, making it The The Train. "El" stands for elevated train which is a fixture of the city. These raised tracks are both everywhere and nowhere at the same time. Im not kidding, the route system leaves a bit to the imagination. Some stops are practically right on top of each other and some are way too spread out or way too close to a stop from a different route (color). The experience of riding the CTA after freshly arriving in Chicago was also a lot more confusing then I think it was supposed to be. As I soon discovered the CTA north/south train the the "Red Line" I was informed by a man in a CTA uniform that all northbound the the Red Line trains were running on a different track. So in order for me to get to my northbound the the Red Line train I have to transfer to a different station. You see I walked eastbound (towards the lake) after getting off the Metra train on Jackson and then found a the the Red Line station entrance on State Street. This took me underground where I purchased a fare card for $2 and then I was informed of the current situation by the CTA employee.

"Well im just as confused as you are," I say "I've just arrived here in Chicago..."

I was not the only person confused as a small procession of Chicagoins with looks of uncertainty  on their faces boarded a southbound train to take them to Roosevelt. This was the instructions of the CTA employee "Board Southbound and get off at Roosevelt then go to the above ground Roosevelt station (apparently  there are two Roosevelt stations)". The ride from Jackson to Roosevelt was almost over before it started, I could have easily walked south to the above ground Roosevelt station and boarded there if I had only known ahead of time. Finally the Roosevelt above ground station which I come to after a series of escalators and murals and large windows. There is a strict contrast between an underground station and an above ground station.  The underground Roosevelt stop was grimey and poorly lit, it smelled like urine and all the white people kept their eyes on their shoes. The above ground Roosevelt station is very clean, there is artwork and openness and everyone seemed a lot more approachable. It took a while for a the the Red Line train to arrive and it really didnt look like it belonged on this track anyway. How strange that a machine can take on such awkward characteristics. Even the conductor didnt seem very convinced that we should all be doing this. " This is a...Red Line train... to... Howard... doors are closing". Why would somebody announce that the doors are closing when I can clearly see them closing right in front of me?

Immediately A Chicago resident begins asking me all sorts of questions about the the Red Line route. "If I want to go to North & Clybourn where should I get off?" He asks as we sit down across from each other. CTA trains, so far, have two kinds of seats. They have standard duo passenger seats that run the length of the car in rows. They also have seats meant for elderly, pregnant, or handicapped people which offer a lot more leg room and are facing each other. The second type of seat fills up quickly.

"Do you live in Chicago?" I ask him "Yes." He says "Why didnt you just walk to North & Clybourn?" I ask him "Yeah right." He says "Well im just as confused as you are," I say "I've just arrived here in Chicago..." There is a map display that hangs over each set of doors that separates the ceiling liner of banner advertisements. There is advice from Rap Mogul and Chicago native 'Common' on how to position my baby in a crib. There is legal consultation and recommendations for focus groups.  I see insurance quotes and television spots. The CTA train is a marketing nightmare, no wonder everyone seems to have their face planted in a newspaper or a book, or for that matter in their arms as they sleep. However it's the map that im focused on, it shows all the different route colors and their respective stops swimming together at the Loop which looks like a board game of sorts. "Here", I tell him pointing at the map where I run my finger on the the Brown Line route. "According to this you can transfer at Fullerton to the Brown Line from the Red line. Why not get off at Fullerton and board a southbound to North & Clybourn."

"Oh yeah." He says nodding his head in agreement. Comfortable he then asks "So you on vacation?" "Yes" I nod enthusiastically . "I'll be here for an entire year!" "Where you headed?" He asks "Northside" I answer, "Ill need to find a place to stay and something to eat." "You should go to Moodys" He says "yeah right off the Thorndale stop. Great Burgers and you can sit outside."

I look at my clothing, a hooded sweatshirt and a jacket due to the fact that things have cooled down. Why the hell would I want to sit outside late on a cool night? "Ill give it a shot." I tell him. After that we sit in silence for a while, the train is loud enough that close conversation should be closer then you think. Also strangers dont have much to converse about after everyone knows where they are going.

When we get to Fullerton he nods and goes to exit before we stop, the jarring motion of the train causes those who got up early to shift and squirm a little. Strange that nobody seems to wait for the train to come to a complete stop before exiting. Seems rather dangerous if you ask me. "Later", he says "where you from by the way?"

"Chicago." I say which causes a double take, but it's too late. The doors close just as fast as they opened which is not enough time for him to get a clarification. He turns around as the doors close to his face looking at me through the window with utter confusion. I wave goodbye.