Riding The Rails

Our adventure today was a ride on CalTrain up to Hillsdale Mall. We went down to California Avenue, our local village here in Palo Alto. We visited the bank and then FedExKinkos to get passport photos taken. We also stopped by Mollie Stone's Market for a few things needed for tomorrows dinner. After all these tasks were done, we boarded the train for a day of shopping (looking mostly).
We got day passes so we were able to jump on and off the train. We had an additional reason for taking this trip. We want Dawn to become familiar with the train so she can use it when we're on the road. She is visually and mobility impaired and needs assistance boarding the train. Things didn't go well when we boarded at California Avenue Station to start our trip. The conductor is supposed to assist passengers waiting in a designated (blue painted) area to board. Dawn was waiting but the conductor never made any effort. I stood in the doorway of the train which can't move until the door closes, so the train wasn't going anywhere. He yelled at me, and I yelled at him. He finally got the idea and assisted Dawn. (This was a training exercise for Dawn and the conductor as well.) As it turns out, there were three conductors on the train. I'm not sure why they need more than one since they don't handle ticketing anymore and you have to get your ticket from a machine before boarding. Anyway, one conductor, who looked like a supervisor, came by a while later and talked to the conductor that was remiss and he they spoke with Dawn and asked her destination etc. What he should have done in the first place. He handled the rest of the trip properly for Dawn. So the trip was worthwhile. We'll have to do more practice trips until they go smoothly.