Train Ride With Dad

I remember the first time my dad took me to Matanzas. I had never been to my uncle Kico's house and I was as excited as I could be. I must have been about eight years old at the time. It was a long time ago so there are many details I don't remember. But before I go any further, you must know that public transportation is horrible everywhere in Cuba, my homeland. And if traveling between provinces, it is guaranteed to be no better.

My dad and I had to take the train from Havana City to Matanzas, where uncle Kico lived. The trip took a few more hours than it should've, considering the distance, partly because it stops in every town on the way for a few minutes allowing passengers to come on and off but mostly because it is extremely slow.

We are almost there and it's only a few more stops before we reach ours when my dad tells me to gather my share of our bags and to start getting ready to leave. By this time all the seats and aisles are full with people. We stuggle to get close to the nearest door, squeezing through the crowd.

We finally reach our stop. The train stops and the crowd awaiting outside rushes in pushing us aside. People are still trying to get inside when we hear the whistle and feel the machines come alive underneath us again. The train is moving and we are still on it. Suddenly, my dad pulls me towards the door which became accessible once the machine began to move. There's no doubt the train is gaining speed as well. We have no time, he tells me we're going to have to jump. He grabs my bag and together with his throws them out the door. Everything after that happened in a blaze of a moment. I hear him hit the ground while I'm still rolling from my fall. Feeling a little dizzy still, I see a tall figure running at full speed towards us while the train is moving at a faster speed to my other side. It was Kico. He hugs us and kisses both of us full of happiness while saying "I was losing hope when i didn't see you come off but as soon as I saw the bulks flying out of the moving train, I knew it had to be you two."