A train journey

We can't avoid the local train living in a city. The Mumbai train especially is the life blood of our city. Our daily journey begins with the train. We reach long and far destinations, within a few tens of minutes. Every office-goer knows the ins and outs of the locals.

The journey begins by going to the station close to your house, where we buy tickets or we utilize our monthly prepaid passes. Before the train arrives, we see the indicator nearly a thousand times. Then all compete to run into the train by pushing and pulling each other. The trains are seldom left empty or with few people. We fight to get our seats close to the windows except on rainy days. Most people with luggage throw their bags on top of the luggage carrier. Only then we are relieved. There are at times small fights and agonies over why some passengers don't get enough place to stand. In a three seater we occupy four people. However, we see now there are trains which have been totally refurbished with new looks. That makes the seating and the standing journey slightly more comfortable.

We pick our bags, people get out and get in at their regular stations, and that ends the journey. It repeats every evening.