The Lost Pleasure

A frequent look at the watch, glancing left and right, ears open to the loud speakers, and with a slight nervousness, I stand on the platform waiting for the train. I remember the days when I was a kid, I used to be taken to the station by my parents to receive my relatives. I would be so excited. But when I would see the train fast approaching, my heart would beat faster. As the train enters the platform, I would slowly move closer to my parents and hold them tight. The loud horn and the wind as the train passes by me, I would shut my eyes in fear.

Ignoring the fact that, there had been days I was scared of this lengthy monster type structure which takes us quickly between places, train and train journeys have always been fun. There is always an anxiety to get into the train quickly even though there would be 20 minutes for the departure. There would be great anticipation to see if we are allocated window seat. There would be a huge confusion while loading the luggage and placing it under the allocated seats. There would not be a single journey where the family doesn't advice each other to have an eye on the luggage. There would always be a slight fear when the Ticket Examiner demands for the tickets, even though our tickets are confirm. Not to forget the hesitation, if the co-passengers request to switch seats for personal reasons. Finally some 20 minutes after departure, everyone gets settled in their seats with a sigh of relief.

Within few minutes, the stomach would start grumbling with hunger. Eyes would search for the pantry guys who would come one by one selling coffee, tea and other snacks in their own style. When travelling alone, there would be a slight reluctance to buy anything to eat. We wait for our co-passengers to start eating before we toss down our favourites. Lectures on hygiene and cleanliness are for the future.

There would be various kinds of passengers we might come across. A genius looking French bearded spectacled man who is always reading something intently, a family with little kids- where the kids jump around playing and the parents don't bother stopping them, a group of ladies with a mouthful of paan, trying to speak through so loud that the person sitting next to them would find standing by the door more comfortable, an oversized man by the window who would sleep through the entire journey, and a single woman who would be sitting nervously in between all of them, trying to maintain distance from everyone and pretend to be on the phone.

Journeys have become more quieter these days. People prefer being silent, reading magazines and mostly sleeping. We seldom look at the stranger sitting next to us.

In those days, with the exchange of books and magazines, the small talk would begin with the neighbours which would continue till either one is tired. Hands and legs would begin to stiffen and turns would be taken to stretch the legs, placing it on the seat opposite. Debates and discussion would begin, opinions would be shared, voices would be raised beyond the noise of the train, horrendous laughs, throwing off wrappers and cups unconsciously, and exchange of cards without realising that the destination has arrived.

Train journeys bring people from different walks of life together. But why have people started complaining that train journeys are boring?

With the dawn of technology, train journeys have become so monotonous. There is no exchange of pleasantries, we don't dare give a smile to our neighbours, we don't move from our seat because we don't have time to take our eyes off our smart phones and tablets. It's like the only time we can chat with our friends whom we meet every day, only time to beat the high score set by us on temple run, only time to read the already by hearted news feed on Facebook, and the only time to change the wallpapers every 10 minutes; and people complain train journeys have become boring.

The other significant reason is fear of strangers too. Passengers get robbed, spiked, even kidnapped during the journey. People cannot trust anyone. Hence passengers are more cautious and find being secluded from others far safer. They cannot be blamed. Preference to safety takes high priority and hence once a pleasure, train journeys have become long and tiring now. I don't see any sign of change in the future too.