it's Christmastime in the city

I've talked about how much I love Union Station before, but I have to say, it's definitely my favorite at Christmastime.  The facade has three huge wreaths, and normally [when there are not ugly renovations going on inside like this year], there's an enormous, beautiful Christmas tree, that is given each year as a gift from Norway.  I think that's incredibly nice of Norway.  I feel like I should send a thank-you note.

The other wonderful decorations are the model trains...they're different every year, but always complete with intricate, tiny towns, snowcapped mountains, and miniature people.  I love looking at them and all of their detail, but I love watching people watch them more [yeah...I realize that sounds kind of creepy.  I promise it isn't.].  

Everyone stops - even in the middle of their hectic commutes and lunch breaks - and watches the trains quietly.  Little kids drag their parents over by the hand, and stand transfixed by the lovely toys.  Middle-aged people in power suits with Bluetooths constantly on stop speed-walking, and come to a halt in front of a bridge where two trains pass each other.  Old men (perhaps with model trains of their own at home) act like they have all the time in the world to simply admire the machinery.  The whole scene always reminds me of this Charles Dickens quote:

"It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child Himself."