Railroad Tracks

Singaporeans have a certain relationship with trains. Singapore's MRT, or Mass Rapid Transit, is always either elevated or below ground (as a subway). Therefore, no one can walk on the tracks. During one of the class sessions before leaving for Japan, I made students share tourist photos that best exemplify the "tourist gaze." One student showed a photo of her standing on some railroad tracks in Japan, thus doing something out of the ordinary, that she cannot do at home. Growing up in Iowa, where train tracks can be found in many small towns, I took for granted my ability to walk on or along the tracks, or to simply drive over them when needed. For my students, railroad tracks are something inaccessible, either high in the air or underground.

So, after our rafting excursion we waited for our train to arrive, and the students took advantage of their sudden proximity to railroad tracks to take dozens of photos of themselves in a range of poses. Alone or in groups, sitting or standing, or even jumping, they took so many shots I could hardly believe my eyes. So, I decided to take photos of them taking photos.

Photographs on railroad tracks.

Jumping for joy

Since we were at a tiny station - no ticket machine, no attendant, no shops, no vending machines - they were free to walk and jump around on the tracks. Their excitement for this is something I could have never imagined prior to this class, but I'm glad I was able to provide them the opportunity to make these memories.

Watari Station

After waiting about 20 minutes our train arrived and we continued to Oguni.