This morning I was a passenger on a Blue Line El train that became stranded underground. After two hours and fifteen minutes, there was an emergency evacuation in which we had to walk along the tracks until we got to the next train stop at Clark/Lake in downtown Chicago. It was very scary- doors were coming open as the train was moving and we lost power many times (a dark train tunnel is very creepy!).It didn’t help that the dark train tunnel, dimly lit with emergency lights, appeared to be leading towards the doorway to hell…or at least in my mind, what hell would look like. 

There is a happy ending…I am safe. When I finally got to work (about 10:15a.m.), I was told that our Operations Director was just about call my Dad (my emergency contact person) to let him know that she hadn’t been able to reach me and worried that an accident had occurred. Hearing that really choked me up as I just couldn’t bear what would have gone through my dad’s head had that actually happened.

Being underground, I had no cell service to reach to anyone. Luckily, I was with my cousin April and we kept each other company while the CTA tried to fix the problem. We swapped stories, caught up on current events (a cougar in Chicago?!), and pondered the idea of McDonalds breakfast. Our convo provided a nice distraction from my worst fear- what if this is it? What if I don’t get out of here and this is how my story ends?

What’s inspiring about this situation is that the people in my train car were extremely helpful and considerate. Those who had working cell phones lent them out to others to called loved ones, and those who were sitting asked if anyone needed to sit down for awhile (I was one of the lucky standing passengers). These actions warmed my heart during a time of distress.

 

In case you are wondering, I will be walking home from work this evening.

-KQH