For anyone that knows me knows that I am scared of heights and particularly do not like to be on moving vehicles that are up high (ie. Bridges, airplanes, etc.). There are many times in the Army, I just must get over this fear and deal with it, but that doesn’t mean I should go on high stuff on my own. I thought to myself last weekend, that it was amazing that the light rail, which is like a Disneyland monorail, did not bother me at all. The light rail travels all over Uijeongbu, Korea roughly two or three stories above the ground. That was until, I rode it at night.
Earlier in the day, I began to think about the operation of this train. There is no driver, unless there is one at the control station, otherwise it is operated by computer. It speeds around the city, titling slightly around curves, and getting people to their destinations on time. I tried not to think too much of this driver-less situation, because it is actually very reliable. That was until my return trip at night.
When it was time for me to go home after my shopping trip, I climbed up the two flights of stairs to the light rail station, and was ready to get on the train like normal. Nothing was out of order. The train came into the station, stopped, and people got off, and I got on. Then, the train began to move. It picked up speed as it left the station and then I look out the front window. Outside the window was pitch back. Granted, it looked darker because the windows are tinted, but it was still very dark. But, why did it matter if it were dark…no one was driving! It sped around the city, just like it always does and got me quickly to my stop—but looking out as the train hugged the curves in the dark reminded me not to overthink the light rail train again.
That was the day I got nervous on the light rail.