I have lived most of my
life away from my family. Although I haven’t travelled much in the literal sense,
there have been numerous journeys between my parent’s home and my several
bases. I often laugh that I can write a book on memoirs of my journeys.
If you have ever
travelled by Indian Railway as much as I have, I am sure you will have a memory
bank of your own. This write tribe prompt gave me an excellent opportunity to
recall a few of them.
1. It was May, 2009. I
had to come back to college during summer breaks on a short notice, and no
matter what I couldn’t have missed it. I managed to get a ticket in one of the
worst trains. Since a friend was supposed to join me after a station, I was
okay. The journey started uneventful. As the train slowed down on the next
station, I could see my friend standing. However, she stood long before the
actual compartment location. In one minute of stoppage, she managed to get
herself onto the right compartment but her luggage was left behind and had to
be thrown in some general compartment.
In her luggage she had
her bag, wallet, laptop and the only set of formals that she were to wear next
day. Desperate to get the bag, we ended up pulling the chain and walking up and
down all general compartments of the train until we found the bag. We had to
ultimately pay a penalty of Rs.1000.
2. For one of journeys,
we had our tickets in the waiting list. Since it was WL1 & 2, we were sure
that it will get confirmed. Only after we sat in the train without confirming
and train left the town, we got to know that our tickets were not confirmed.
200 kms later we were asked to get off and we had to complete the remaining
500km standing in a general compartment of a local train.
What is interesting to
note is I had a cramp in my ankle and had crepe bandage on for the entire
journey.
3. This is what I call
as Jab we met moment. The train had stopped at a station and I stepped out to
buy cold drinks. I was aware that train stopped here for 20 minutes, but since
it was running late, I was a bit apprehensive. While the shopkeeper was
collecting cash for the glasses he had just delivered, he suddenly looked up
and said “Sorry”. It was all so confusing until I turned back and saw that the
train was moving. Unwilling to part with my cold drinks for which I had paid, I
ran towards my coach with two glasses. A helpful man tried to help me get
through and as I got in with his help, I dropped the entire glass on his white
shirt.
What made the entire episode
hilarious was when we realized that the train had stopped moving by the time I
reached my seat.
I guess recalling seven
memories would be too long, therefore am breaking the tradition and ending it
here. Do you have a memory that makes you double up with laughter when you
recall.
Linking it to NaBloPoMo -
Cute incidents, even I have more than a few train memories and maybe will compile a series of posts on those :D Thanks for the idea :)
ReplyDeleteJairam even I am thinking of that.
DeleteI am about to jam in a few in the link Sugandha. Train journeys and I go a long way :P You revived a few memories here!
ReplyDeleteGreat. I would wait :)
DeleteMy first time on the train was one to Malaysia. I was a kid and since it was cramped and crowded, I didn't really enjoy the experience!!
ReplyDeleteHmm...train journeys can be tiring at times.
DeleteSuch fun incidents.. That's the thing about Indian Railways.. :) guessing you are yet to meet Mr. Shahid ;)
ReplyDeleteIndeed ;)
Deletehehe... that last incident was really cute :) of course, the tt kicking u out with the crepe bandage was really just mean !
ReplyDeletehehe! probably if he hadn't I wouldn't have a thing to write today ;)
Deletehaha! That's quite a traina dventure, 1000 buck fine and the poor guy's white shirt. Once I traveled standing in a train between Mumbai and Pune..that's was quite something.
ReplyDeleteThanks Vishal :) I am sure train journeys are always worth memory.
Deleteha! All very interesting bits. I too plan to collate my 'train diaries' some day. All will be damn funny I can assure you :D
ReplyDeleteRicha
Please do that :)
Deletenice post! Merry Christmas, I have nominated you for the versatile blogger award, check http://aayesha1611.blogspot.in/2013/12/versatile-blogger-award-yay.html
ReplyDeleteThank you Aayesha :)
ReplyDelete