If you have avoided the trains (Local in Mumbai parlance), I must say that you are one of those really lucky few people...who either stay close to work or can afford not taking the Local...
But yeah, I must also say that you miss out, lets say "interesting", part of Mumbai...;-)
Well, for starters,
1. you miss out climbing the bridges up and down the different platforms....
2. you miss out on learning to jostle your way through a crowd without hurting or hurling abuses to others..in the crowd...
3. You miss out on the important dynamics of setting foot in the train... so that you do not get crashed by fellow passengers...while climbing in and getting out of the train...
4. You miss out on yelling at other "general" passengers who dare climb in the Ladies First Class....
5. You miss out on learning to fend for yourself when all the aunties and the oldies think that its their birthright to sit / stand / breathe first just because of their greying hair...
6. You miss out making "train" friends... who gladly exchange their place with you to sit / stand...
7. You miss out on eating all the chips and popcorn and wada pav on your way back home...
8. You miss out on doing some "Local" shopping of the cheap clips, book covers, etc sold in the train...
9. You also miss out on listening to music for full 1 hour (depending how far you commute)...one full dedicated hour...:-)
:-) there are a heck lot of things you miss out on... but most importantly I think I would gladly miss the Mumbai traffic...especially in long distance travel... but hey, no one's complaining...:-)
But yeah, I must also say that you miss out, lets say "interesting", part of Mumbai...;-)
Well, for starters,
1. you miss out climbing the bridges up and down the different platforms....
2. you miss out on learning to jostle your way through a crowd without hurting or hurling abuses to others..in the crowd...
3. You miss out on the important dynamics of setting foot in the train... so that you do not get crashed by fellow passengers...while climbing in and getting out of the train...
4. You miss out on yelling at other "general" passengers who dare climb in the Ladies First Class....
5. You miss out on learning to fend for yourself when all the aunties and the oldies think that its their birthright to sit / stand / breathe first just because of their greying hair...
6. You miss out making "train" friends... who gladly exchange their place with you to sit / stand...
7. You miss out on eating all the chips and popcorn and wada pav on your way back home...
8. You miss out on doing some "Local" shopping of the cheap clips, book covers, etc sold in the train...
9. You also miss out on listening to music for full 1 hour (depending how far you commute)...one full dedicated hour...:-)
:-) there are a heck lot of things you miss out on... but most importantly I think I would gladly miss the Mumbai traffic...especially in long distance travel... but hey, no one's complaining...:-)
I love this. I have never taken the Mumbai train, but it certainly looks like an experience. Thank-you for the virtual trip. I think I'll settle for that. : )
ReplyDelete:-) hey thnx for visiting!!! yeah - travelling in Mumbai locals is an experience...
ReplyDeleteyayy! and also the train parties, the Dussera celebrations, the dynamics of bhajan mandalis and a group you will never find any where else but mumbai - The Train Group. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd that too!!!! Missed that Purvesh!!!!! Bhajan mandalis are awesome.... although I've never been a part of any festival celebration!!!!
ReplyDelete