jonathan/ferguson

packing into one of mumbai’s unbelievably crowded local trains at churchgate and having a gang of commuters welcome me into their pack. its no game when it comes to local trains. people push and pull and fight their way on and off these trains and i being the naive delhiite jumped on not knowing exactly where to go. i asked the guy next to me if the train went to bandra and he said, you’re going to bandra? quickly, get to the other side. now! go!

so i rushed to the other side. i needed to get as close to right side of the train as possible because the bandra platform would come on that side only and there would be no way on earth to get over after the next stop. at the next stop people crowded on filling every available space. that was only stop number two. hundreds more would get on at the next few stops before anyone would begin to get off.

the crowd around me eyed me suspiciously at first. they were regular commuters. they all knew each other. they all saved each other a spot. they all helped each other on and off. but i was not one of them. not a regular commuter. i was taking up the space of one tall slim guy. which is precious space on these trains. causing everyone to be that much closer to the man next to them. and by close i mean VERY close.

but by the time i reached bandra things had changed. i had been welcomed into their group. given my fair spot. chatted in hindi. i was told when and how to move in order to position myself for exiting. when exactly to jump from the train as we pulled into the station. and we wished each other well as i took the leap.

i now know that if i ever catch the 7:30p andheri fast local again, i’ll have a spot reserved, no hard feelings.