The wind saws at my legs as I pull my winter coat close around my body. This is one of the few disadvantages of living downtown - the wind tunnels caused by the tall buildings. One of these days I’m going to blow away.

I hurriedly press on toward the Wood Street station, eager to descend the stairs and bask in the relative warmth below. Once I reach the platform, an unusual sight greets me. A dozen Amish women and several young Amish girls are patiently waiting for the next train to arrive.

When the yellow line train pulls into the station, I get onto the same car as the women and sit down close to them. I wonder where they’re going, what business they have in the city today. I am intrigued by their simple life and wonder what I would be life if I lived in the country with my small community, rather than this imposing city and its thousands of strangers. Would I enjoy the simplicity of it? Would the silence drive me insane? Would I wonder what my life would be like if I lived in the city?

We arrive at my stop and I walk past the women and their children. One small girl in a long blue dress gives me a shy smile. I give one, shyly, in return.