"I am passionate about stories, those drops of adventure that merge into a gentle stream of life. They are displayed on countless mediums: literature, music, painting… Words align, notes respond, colors blend to reveal the artist’s truth. Taking the time to contemplate them allows us to grasp their meaning. I have trouble remembering quotes, but the writer José Rodrigues dos Santos said: “beauty is the color with which we paint the truth.” This train adventure was not the most exhilarating. The generational and language gap hindered any deep connections, and those four days locked in metal corridors limited our freedom of movement. Yet, the available time offered the chance to observe the stories unfolding, hour after hour. Each day, nature painted living landscapes as far as the eye could see. The journey was long, but it was real—each kilometer describing a truth that moved at our pace. And it was beautiful. A month later, I was on a plane, returning to Montreal. Through the tiny windows, you could barely make out the outside, let alone the teeming frescoes below. I gained as much time as I lost in truth. So, to make up for that vanished beauty, I vaguely tried to drown myself in movies, overconsuming to forget."

"Mission: Put on paper a few words, thoughts, sensations, and memories from our trans-Canadian rail experience. I had no particular expectations for this trip. Just a deep desire to disconnect, a real break from work, and a reconnection with the present moment. To take time for myself, for us. When our loved ones ask how we experienced this crossing, I like to say it did me good. I was relieved to let go of all the mental load of planning, and since I expected nothing specific, each day unfolded with little surprises. Four days and four nights on a train: it might seem long, yet time flew by. Between meals, discoveries from the panoramic car, breathtaking wildlife and scenery, activities offered by the crew, moments of reading, games, and impromptu outings on the platforms during stops, our railway routine quickly found its own rhythm. If I had to pick just a few highlights, it would surely be those spent in the panoramic car, contemplating ever-changing landscapes. I was amazed by the richness of Canadian panoramas stretching over 7,800 kilometers, from one ocean to the other. Plains, prairies, mountains, lakes, rivers, marshes, rocky lands… The diversity of horizons simply fascinated me. As for the experience itself, I can only recommend it—at least once in a lifetime, if the opportunity arises. The staff is attentive, the attention to detail—whether in entertainment, meals, or passenger comfort—is remarkable. No logistics to manage: you just had to show up on time to enjoy everything the journey had to offer."