There was a time once in Amsterdam when I found myself confined between the tramlines for about two hours. It was a simple dilemma. Walk across the line, or don’t. That decision took some time and I am mighty glad that I made it when I did. I found myself right where I needed to be, which was particularly fortuitous. Another time in places flung far and wide I was fortunate to experience a good few touch-downs. I found touching-down more satisfying than being confined. Each has its merits, for a time, but it is one of the best feelings to find your feet planted firmly on earth after centuries of confinement in the sky.
Touch-downs involve scoring. Adding up points. In a game of football, a touch-down is the objective. Not the only one, but nevertheless one of the most important. All the members of the team are trained to understand that their objective is collective. They know that the ball will not get from one end of the field to the other without each man in his place. That is not to say that footballers do not exchange places from time to time to play other positions. They do. In a game of skill it pays to be able to play the entire field.
San Francisco is a great place to find tramlines. As is Switzerland. Riding trams is a joy in the wetter weather, the cold – and when you find treasures lying inside them. In my experience there is treasure to be found everywhere, particularly on trams that are made to sail past Wonderland on the way to Alice’s salvation.
C.J. Birch
C.J. Birch 