Wake up and smell the sweat!

Khaali train or daydreaming?

We wish for so many things in a day. And Mumbai local train commuters have some common wishes every single day:
"I wish I catch the 8.20 local."
"I wish I get a window seat."
"I wish no one pushes me today."
"I wish I get a comfortable place to stand."
"I wish the vendor who sells accessories boards my compartment today."
"I wish I get an empty train." Well, this mostly falls under the daydreaming category ;)

Some of us doze off in trains while our heads plays pendulum on the shoulders of aaju-baaju waale log! And then we get lost in our dreams or imaginations while we are half asleep. A train waiting for us at the platform so that we get in easily... choice of window seats, operational fans without kachra, great leg space, head space, shoulder space... no chillam chilli... no dhakka mukki... no paseene ki badboo... and then the train comes to a sudden halt! The aunty whose shoulder acted as our perfumed pillow gets off and someone who forgot wearing the deodorant or talcum powder chipkofies to us! We wake up to the smell of the sweat!

Or on a super lucky day, we actually get an empty train!That happened with me today!

So, what are your daily wishes when it comes to travelling by local trains? Do you get to board an empty train without dhakka-mukki? Do you get the window seat? Do you wake up before the train reaches your station?

Do share your experiences here. Let's see when it comes to wishes related to Mumbai local trains, are we on the same platform!

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Autobiography of a Window Seat

As soon as the Mumbai local train pulls into the station, you see people rushing towards me. They are just crazy about me... after all, I am the much sought-after Window Seat! Neighbour's envy, owner's pride eh!

There are umpteen reasons for their love for me. 

1. I bring them fresh air in the crowded atmosphere where all that the rest of the commuters get to smell are sweaty armpits, oily stinky hair and the peculiar odour of the local train doors and handles.
2. I present them with panoramic views of the entire city in a mater of few minutes! Tell me who else can do this except for You Tube? 
3. I offer them the priority status as well! People first tend to ask the window-seater as to where he/she will alight so that they can 'book' the seat.
4. I offer them an effortless glimpse of the station name boards; unlike others who have to either stretch their necks or ask the privileged traveller, "Kaunsa station aaya?". (Of course, the announcements are taking over gradually)

I love Mumbai's local train commuters. Even though I know they can be very biased.

They run for me and fight for me only when I face the direction of the train's movement. If I am on the opposite direction, I am only treated as a compromise. They also prefer the side of the train where sunlight doesn't fall. I am not the Hot Seat when the seat is hot!

Some of them simply ignore me during winters and rains. They push away from me as much as possible... how rude! This is the time when people willingly 'offer' Window Seat to others. Here's a small  Survey conducted on the Facebook page of this blog about the same:

Do you aim for the Window Seat even in winters?

• No... But that's what I run for in summers!
• Yes... I love to chill in the chilly weather!
• Seat... What Seat? If I get to stand on my feet, it's enough!

Well, I can understand. However, I hate the fact that often they treat me as garbage-exit point. They shamelessly throw wrappers, spit paan/gutkha and discard other kachra from the window while occupying me. If only I could throw them away from me and the entire train!

Well guys, looks like it's time for me to go as aglaa station Churchgate hai! Keep looking out for me... I am loving it!

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Nimbu Mirchi in Local Trains

Female vendor selling raw mango, nimbu and mirchi achaar for Rs 20 each packet in CST train.
A lady wants nimbu-mirchi combination achaar.
The vendor says buy both and mix them at home!

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30 Trains delayed on Western line

My friend Deepa called me early in the morning. It took her one hour to reach Andheri station from Borivli. Btw, one hour after boarding the train!

As always, nobody in the train knew why the train was taking ages to reach Andheri. What? Did you really expect the public announcement system to keep the commuters updated in such cases!

Anyways, so as for the reason, here it is - Technical Snag.

Don't ask me what it means. For us, it only means an unexplainable reason for train delays. Apparently, a technical snag developed in a train to Churchgate at Goregaon station. Then some trains were diverted on the fast track and blah blah...


Also, as expected, what the authorities claim about 97% punctuality of the trains after 4 pm is completely different from what the commuters have to say.

What can we say, ab toh aadat si hai mujhko aise jeene ki...

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