Metro Jazz

I went into the District today for a meeting and took the Yellow Line metro from Braddock Road all the way out to Fort Totten (the northeastern end of the Yellow Line). It's always interesting to listen to the Metro train engineer announce the train as it comes into and leaves each station. Some are matter of fact. They do the job of announcing and move on. Some are very friendly. Make you feel like you want to come back. That they really appreciated you being on the Metro today. And some just barely get the words out. Or worse, they mumble something on the "un" side of intelligible.

But today on the way back to Alexandria from Fort Totten I heard a first. As the train slowed at each stop the engineer would slowly and sinuously announce "This is the Yellow Line train to Huntington." Not in a matter of fact, or friendly or mumbling sort of way. But as if he were a radio DJ on the night shift at a jazz station. He had a very deep, melodious voice. "Now settle back into the train seat, close your eyes and listen to our next number, "Chinatown-Gallery Place." "This is the Yellow Line train to Huntington and I'm your engineer for our lazy trip down the rails to relaxation."

When we got to Braddock Road - my stop - I didn't want to get off. There were still three stops left before Huntington station! Three more chances to roll into a station. Three more opportunities to load up and ride on out of the station. Three more tunes announced by the Metro jazz DJ.

Ahhhhhh! It's relaxing just to think of it.