The Momma Clan

Which is more fun , to travel by train or by a flight?

If it’s for fun sake, I would prefer a train travel. It may take a longer time, but one gets fully entertained in the train travel.

The settling on the berth, keeping the luggage properly and at times, an argument takes place. “Please keep your luggage under your seat,” and chaining the saman (luggage) with a chain and a padlock, is good fun.

“I told you to pack the slippers and tooth brushes properly,” the husband says loudly to his wife..

She would revert, “All the work I have to do,” and she grumbles and finds the things.

If small infants are travelling then you spend sleepless night. 

Early morning at 6, you are awakened by the chai wala,”Chai chai.” (Tea seller’s Tea Tea )

If you miss him, either you wait for his second round or get down at the station and get it  fast, fearing of missing the train.

Next person comes with biscuits, juices and breakfast.

Then comes the bookseller and many vendor. Some have the habit of bargaining with the vendors and never buy anything. 

Then the pantry man comes to take the order for the lunch.

“Paani bottle,” shouts, one can hear. (Water Bottle)

Some throw peeled skins of the groundnuts under the berth an when the swachatha abhayan (Cleanliness Drive) man comes to ask money, they talk to him rudely.

Once  the topic of politics comes up, the situation  gets tense but gets normal after sometimes.

The part and parcel of the travel.

Good fun to watch outside the window, the passing of the green nature or a lot of activities outside the  window the cows  grazing and the kids waving  to you.

Another train passing by and the noise, is resounding.

At least one can walk up and down the compartment and study people. 

Yes, the washrooms are horrible at times but whose fault, but the passengers themselves.

Many times, you  travel without  water in the compartment and when you complain, ” It would be attended  soon at the next station.” 

Middle of your sleep at night, many board  at different  stations and the fear of loosing your luggage haunts you and you get up to check them.

When the political topics spring up, many get involved and at times, it gets worrisome.

Looking for  your relatives who just have come to pick you up  outside the window, is another fun time.

The fight for the window seat, start with a fun and turns odd for the parents to control their kids.

On the other side, a travel by a flight may be faster but the waiting at the lounge is painful.

The security check up with a small  steps is amazing

One cannot move around in the plane as easily as in the train.

All the gadgets 

Going to the washroom , is another great thing. The Aihostess will be serving snacks and you find hardly any space.

If the window seat traveller has to attend the loo, two persons have to get up. Painful.

You do not get to hear the various talk on various subjects like a train travel.

Once you deboard and one has to wait for the luggage to arrive at the  conveyer belt.

We prefer  the fun  travel by a train . Individual  choice of course to enjoy travelling.

-Poornima Sivaraman