30th September 2011 has become one more memorable day in my life not because of any achievement but because of my stupidity. One more superb experience is added to my list of mini adventures.
To start with, I boarded a train at Secunderabad the previous night which is supposed to reach Vijayawada at 5:00 AM. I set an alarm at 4:45 AM to ensure that I will not miss getting down before the train leaves the station and I slept. Suddenly I woke up and heard an announcement "Machilipatnam Express ek number platform se rawana hone ki tayar hain". I immediately grabbed my luggage and hand bag. I searched for my chappals but could not find them. In a haste, I asked someone standing at the door if it is Vijayawada and he said "yes" and I got down. I took out my phone to call my sister to ask her to pick me up from the station. Then I noticed that it was 3:30 AM and as I walked down, I realised that it was Khammam but not Vijayawada. By the time I understood what has happened, the train picked up pace which did not allow me to board the running train. (By the way, do you know that boarding or getting down a running train is dangerous?) I asked people standing at the door to pull the chain but nobody understood what I was saying. The train left.
I was lost at an unknown place ! I was bare-footed. I called my mother and told her my situation. She said "Don't panic. Be calm. Find out about next train or bus and come down. Nothing to worry! ". A guy was looking at me from the moment I got down. I just thought he was like any other guy and started searching for enquiret counter. He came to me and asked "what happened?" I told him the short story. While talking to him, my mind was talking to me "Come on! You have been working for the past three years and you are not a kid and this is not the first time you are travelling in a train. You could have checked the time, cross cheked with one more person, looked at the less crowded station or the station name properly." This guy said "It has been destined that you should get down at Khammam. Let us enquire about the next train" and took me to the enquiry counter. The next train was scheduled at 4:12 AM and he ensured that I had enough money with me and left. Nice guy ! I sat at a place and my mind started talking to me again "Its OK. Sometimes it happens". I remembered a statement told by myself over a conversation with my friend Gopi "It is good to be stupid sometimes". True ! In fact, it is fun to be stupid sometimes.I started laughing at myself. I called him and we shared a good laughter. I later called my sister and she explained me the situation at home. My father was scolding me and my mother and grand mother were supporting me. My sister started scolding me for my insanity and I was laughing!
The train came at 4:45 AM and then my alarm rang ! I smiled at the alarm and boarded the train. It reached Vijayawada by 6:45 AM and my sister came to pick me up and brought a pair of sandals too. Don't ask me what happened at my home after that.
I somehow have many interesting experiences with trains and railway stations like missing the last direct train in the night and waiting in the station in the late night, booking the ticket for wrong date and realizing it after boarding the train( will share them in another blog) and this one has become another one. Many authors and philosophers compare train journeys with life. To me, a travel in a train is special. When I meet some interesting people in the station or train, it is more special. When I encounter such experiences, it is even more special and all the more fun. I really feel special in such situations because I have spices added to my traveling experience unlike others who just travel. Similarly, life is good if it goes on smoothly. It is better when you meet people who later on become important role players in your life. It would be the best when it goes beyond the routine, when you see life in a different angle and end up learning more about life.
Life has always been the best to me. Sometimes, it is good to be stupid. I believe that the best way to learn is "Be stupid, Make mistakes, Experience and Learn!"
To start with, I boarded a train at Secunderabad the previous night which is supposed to reach Vijayawada at 5:00 AM. I set an alarm at 4:45 AM to ensure that I will not miss getting down before the train leaves the station and I slept. Suddenly I woke up and heard an announcement "Machilipatnam Express ek number platform se rawana hone ki tayar hain". I immediately grabbed my luggage and hand bag. I searched for my chappals but could not find them. In a haste, I asked someone standing at the door if it is Vijayawada and he said "yes" and I got down. I took out my phone to call my sister to ask her to pick me up from the station. Then I noticed that it was 3:30 AM and as I walked down, I realised that it was Khammam but not Vijayawada. By the time I understood what has happened, the train picked up pace which did not allow me to board the running train. (By the way, do you know that boarding or getting down a running train is dangerous?) I asked people standing at the door to pull the chain but nobody understood what I was saying. The train left.
I was lost at an unknown place ! I was bare-footed. I called my mother and told her my situation. She said "Don't panic. Be calm. Find out about next train or bus and come down. Nothing to worry! ". A guy was looking at me from the moment I got down. I just thought he was like any other guy and started searching for enquiret counter. He came to me and asked "what happened?" I told him the short story. While talking to him, my mind was talking to me "Come on! You have been working for the past three years and you are not a kid and this is not the first time you are travelling in a train. You could have checked the time, cross cheked with one more person, looked at the less crowded station or the station name properly." This guy said "It has been destined that you should get down at Khammam. Let us enquire about the next train" and took me to the enquiry counter. The next train was scheduled at 4:12 AM and he ensured that I had enough money with me and left. Nice guy ! I sat at a place and my mind started talking to me again "Its OK. Sometimes it happens". I remembered a statement told by myself over a conversation with my friend Gopi "It is good to be stupid sometimes". True ! In fact, it is fun to be stupid sometimes.I started laughing at myself. I called him and we shared a good laughter. I later called my sister and she explained me the situation at home. My father was scolding me and my mother and grand mother were supporting me. My sister started scolding me for my insanity and I was laughing!
The train came at 4:45 AM and then my alarm rang ! I smiled at the alarm and boarded the train. It reached Vijayawada by 6:45 AM and my sister came to pick me up and brought a pair of sandals too. Don't ask me what happened at my home after that.
I somehow have many interesting experiences with trains and railway stations like missing the last direct train in the night and waiting in the station in the late night, booking the ticket for wrong date and realizing it after boarding the train( will share them in another blog) and this one has become another one. Many authors and philosophers compare train journeys with life. To me, a travel in a train is special. When I meet some interesting people in the station or train, it is more special. When I encounter such experiences, it is even more special and all the more fun. I really feel special in such situations because I have spices added to my traveling experience unlike others who just travel. Similarly, life is good if it goes on smoothly. It is better when you meet people who later on become important role players in your life. It would be the best when it goes beyond the routine, when you see life in a different angle and end up learning more about life.
Life has always been the best to me. Sometimes, it is good to be stupid. I believe that the best way to learn is "Be stupid, Make mistakes, Experience and Learn!"
