Train chronicles

We are but a collection of the experiences we have...the memories we build and the beauty we bring along!

Sometimes..I think that there is nothing in this world called "ordinary". As long as I am alert and observant, I always find something new to tickle my senses…ideas to questions my beliefs…and things I see…I hear..and feel have sometimes created a ripple effect which have had great effects on the kind of person I am.
I maintain a diary about my train journeys... some of which are fun..some insipid..some amusing..each one of them written down as I see it and the corresponding thoughts...It may seem crazy but while I read these entries..I can go back..actually feel the movements of the train..the colors in the window…and the feeling of being on the move!

A train has a collective soul..a sea of all the souls it carries in its bosom.. a train is a metaphor to so many things..but to me a train is like a small prototype of life itself..I travel in the train every week..The people I meet..the sunsets and sunrise I witness..is different everytime..My experiences in train are so varied..I decided to keep a note of all of them-the memorable ones and the not so memorable ones as well.

21/10/06

"

trrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiilllllllllllllllllllllllll!!!!"

I squirm and turn to my side..and grope in the dark for my cell to turn of the annoying noise.The good me whispers "wake up! today ..the the ticket queue will be long...wake up! you gotta rush!" . The devilish me says "ooooh...the bed feels extra soft...Wouldn't it be great to snuggle in and lose myself in sleep for a few more mins?"

I have a very very soft corner for the devil in me...but, I realized reluctantly my virtuous side was as always irritatingly right. I wouldn't get tickets if I don't hurry, this being the long holiday weekend for Diwali and Eid! I drag myself out of the warm bed and walk in a haze into the bathroom. I am still dozing when I mechanically brush my teeth. There must be some easier way of cleaning ones teeth!!

I get ready..and put on my backpack and pick up my laptop and my handbag..In the mirror I stare into a overburdened donkey..smile at the reflection and head toward getting myself to the railway station.

I find an auto wallah. and notice that his meter is broken down. He looks at me and sincerely says that it will cost me 70/-. I snort and tell him that it wont cost more than 60/- bucks. He grins and says "yes,just tried to make 10/- extra". I chide him for trying to resort to daylight robbery and ask him to ride fast. I love blore in morning times...I remember mentioning this in one of my blogs..

Anyways, when I reach the station..my worst fears were realized! the queue was long and people were already irritable. I walk to the end of the queue and pray for deliverance. ..Bingo!some guy says they are giving mysore tickets in the other queue..I run ahead and join the smaller queue!

I get my tickets in 15 minutes...and there is kiddish looking guy (KLG) standing behind me. I walk towards Platform no 5 and he calls at me and says the train is in platform 8.I am the first one to get into the train and the KLG occupies the seat in front of me.Some days the lady luck just smiles benevolently!

I get out of the train to get my usual plain cake and tea…I simply love the combination. As I settle down next to the window, KLG hesitantly asks me about where I stay and what I do. I am amused about the fact that he is so intimidated by me..and absolutely enjoy the way he seems surprised that I am much elder to him! He seems intent on continuing the conversation...but I am not. I open my laptop and write down my experiences of swimming(which will be posted soon). After I am done...I decide to lie down.

When the first rays of wakefulness touch me..I see the train is not moving...I wake up surprised..and see we are already in mysore.But no fret, the train is waiting for the signal to enter the railway station..I get up and give an embarrassed smile to KLG. He looks amused as I comb my hair, apply kohl and transform myself into something which doesn't make you scream when you look at it!

The train slows moves into the station, I wear my big glares and step out!

On my way back:

There is a sweet silence everywhere..after the weekend Diwali celebration my ears are relieved that there are no more scary noises..I am one of the few people who don't enjoy Diwali. I have always been weary of sudden loud noises..and when coupled with sparks..they never fail to terrify me! Anyways..after a 5 day break its time to head back to bangalore.

I get a window seat..and since there is still half an hour for departure ,I sit with my mom on the bench (on platform)...to regurgitate all the happy moments of the past few days.

I feel that dreaming for the days ahead and reliving past pleasures are so much more fun..surely the present is overrated!

Having company has its own advantages too but I am traveling alone and it has its own pleasures. I can chew on my secret thoughts..and I can let myself day dream.

Well, I look out of the window...and see a painted serenade....the sky a canvas of pink brush strokes...little lilac clouds and contrasted by bright green fields ...the breezy evening carrying in her bosom the sweet smell of the land-caressing my face..and loosening my hair from the hair band. The loosened strands dance in the wind..and play across my cheeks..taunting me to tie them back. But I like the feel of it.
I look at the pink sky..the pink of a healthy happy onion!

As the train traverses across Srirangapatna I see the old bridge silhouetted against the evening sun and the river blow all pink...the river looked like a shy young girl..This bridge is enchanting with its old world charm but for a "casio stabilizer" ad which is gaudily painted at one end. if I ever meet the guy who painted it. I intend to pull his eyes out!

The train whizzes pass green sugar cane fields and a few minutes later we cross a canal..which is also blue and pink..but somehow seemed mysterious and dangerous!

As the colors begin to fade and darkness enveloped us...I could hear the sighs of the breeze...and the senseless babble inside the train.I see a group of boys arguing about lake Titicaca and asking each other absurd questions....I see bored faces...people sleeping,people trying to fall asleep...people talking about dissatisfaction..people sipping on tea..people staring into blank space..its a psychologist's utopia. I buy myself a cup of tea..and sip on it.

Outside I see a small hut with 6 coconut trees silhouetted against a indigo sky...

A window seat on a windy night...and hot tea...with a book to read! life sometimes...is so good..you wouldn't change a damned thing!