< The Orient Express is more than just a luxury passengers train, it is a true legend. Its image is surrounded in mystery and romance, especially because of the British writer Agatha Christie. Her novel Murder on the Orient Express casted a glimp of intrigue, exoticism and charm over this train route, radically reshaping it's world renowed image.
One could not withold a subtle feeling of melancholy when thinking of travelling in this luxury coaches, watching by the train's window as unknown and strange landscapes unfold infront of your eyes. And all that while sitting and drinking your favourite cognac. The trip from Paris to Istambul must have been quite a pleasure at the beginning of the 20th century. From one part of Europe through the other, passing by Munich, Wien, Budapest, Belgrade or Bucharest. A real adventure, similar to, let's say, a wild african safari of our times. A trip of 2000 km, a true cultural experience ending in the grandiose Sirkeci Gari, the terminus station in Istambul. This route came to its end in 1977, once the modern inventions in transportation took initiative.We gain a lot but, in my humble opinion, with a lot of losses during this process. Nowdays the Orient Express, despite some hopeless attempts of reviving it, it's just a pleasant memory. The once luxurious couches are now resting in the corner of a forgotten depot. You may say this is the nature of things, they evolve and the older is updated by modern. I agree that this is the nature of things. Today we travel from Paris to Istambul in 2 hours. By comparison, the Orient Express route took two weeks to complete. That's progress. But I don't know why I have the feeling that we all miss the sensation of travelling, the mystery and the quiet sensation of peace. And all these things were found in this train trip. And also in books and other stuff that surely will disappear soon from our lives. We go fast, we think fast and we forget fast. Is that the answer?...Labels: agatha christie, belgrade, bucharest, budapest, istambul, munich, murder on the orient express, orient express, paris, sirkeci gari, wien |
