Wonder!

When we were in Brazil last month we took a tourist train from Curitiba to the southeastern coast. It was supposed to be a 2 and 1/2 hour train ride. It ended up taking four hours, because there is only one set of tracks making their way through the Brazilian rain forest, snaking around spectacular mountains. At least ten times we had to pull of to a parallel track to allow a freight train through.

The first half of the journey was unremarkable. The second half was unforgettable. The lush, green, impenetrable rain forest almost within reach of the passenger cars' open windows. The myriad waterfalls tucked away, hidden at the last minute until you were nearly on top of them. The incredible sparkling jade canyons and soaring mountains.

We were the only Americans in our passenger car. Almost everyone else seemed to be native Brazilians: families, retired folks, and a lot of young adults. Everyone on the train acted like a child! The sense of wonder and excitement about the journey was infectious! People stuck their heads out of the windows and had friends take photos. Much cheering and gasping was heard as we came upon new vistas. People laughed, moving freely from one side of the train to the other to get the best photo.

I have never had an experience like this with a group of Americans. Never. The Brazilians' wonder and joy was even more spectacular than the scenary. I carry it with me, even now, over a month later.