Train

Riding the train during peak travel times is quite an experience. Usually i only ride the train on weekends, and on "off times" since i live within walking distance of the office. But on Friday i was at an aftercare home, and i had to get home...so i did what i had to do and stepped up to the challenge.

There really aren't words to describe the scene in the train station during rush "hour" (which lasts much longer than an hour). i have to say its not one of my favorite experiences here. insane. crazy. horrible are words that come to mind...and at the same time if anyone comes to visit me, i'll pretty much insist that you have the experience (expect maybe my mom who could play the "mom card" and get out of it). The train stops, you push yourself on (and by push i mean really push, shove grab to get into that car). there is not a spare millimeteranywhere. you literally push has hard as you can to get your body onto the train. then come the crazy dance of maneuvering out of the entryway, so you don't get pushed off by the mass of people running off the train at the next stop. words cannot desccribe this experience.

So that was one train experience this weekend. The other was on Saturday. I'd travelled to go to dance lesson (in a different part of the city than normal) and then when i got there the class was cancelled (i was a bit frustrated by this since i'd travelled an hour to get there and called before i left to be sure it wasn't cancelled). So i turned around to get a train back the opposite way i'd just come from. as i got to the platform there was the train i needed. i didn't know how long it would be stopped and unfortunately there wasn't a women's car close to me (there are train cars reserved for women only...thankfully!). i decided to try to get to the ladies car and ran down the platform. I was there...almost. i'd reached the ladies car, but i was at the first class section (i had a second class ticket) i briefly thought about jumping on anyway, but i didn't (there's a pretty big fine for doing that...) - and the train wasn't moving yet, i was so close i decided to try to make it. i made it to the right door...and the train was starting to move forward - critical moment of decision here...let the train pass...or jump on the train that isn't moving too fast yet. i looked in. it wasn't crowded...i didn't feel like waiting 10 minutes for the next train (i'd already wasted an hour on this little "adventure")...so i decided to jump on that car. Now, i must admit that in my "orientation to the city" that i received when i arrived they did tell me not to do things like this - but desperate times call for desperate measures.

fear not...i wasn't injured (although i was surprised by how much it pulled my arm as i jumped on and inertia and all that). i mean, i can see why they say this is a bad idea. the train was hardly moving when i made my decision, but they do pick up speed pretty quick.

what cracked me up was that when i got on the train there were 2 ladies looking at me letting me know (clearly) what they thought of my little stunt. One looked at me with a, "i can't believe you just did that. that was stupid" sort of look, and she stuck her tongue out at me, which is a cultural way of expressing disapproval. the other looked at me with a "i can not believe i just saw a foreigner jump on a moving train. That was absolutely AWESOME" sort of look. i've decided that as with most things worth trying in life, you'll get both responses.

as for next time...i may think twice about jumping on the moving train...i sure won't make it a habit...but honestly it may happen again. (i know that's the wrong conclusion for this story from my mom and dad's perspective...but well...what can i say?!?)