I live in Vasind, which is a suburban local station on the central line of Mumbai local and I have to take local journeys many times for work, for personal reasons and being a non Mumbaikar this was an unusual journey for me . This is what I see in those journeys .
The Mumbai local journey is like embarking on a wild adventure in a magical metal can on wheels. Imagine this : You step into the train station and suddenly find yourself in the middle of a chaotic stampede of commuters, all vying for the perfect spot inside the train. It’s like a high-stakes game of musical chairs, except with people and way too many chairs with the background music of a mixture of random chatterbox voices .
When the train arrives , the specialty of Mumbai locals is when you reach the station on time it will always be late by minimum 10 minutes but, once in lifetime if you are slightly late for even 1,2 minutes then the train suddenly arrives on time and you will miss it by few seconds and now you have to wait for the next train.
However once you manage to squeeze yourself into the train, you’ll experience a rollercoaster ride like no other. You’ll find yourself doing impromptu acrobatics as you try to maintain your balance amidst the rhythmic jolts and jerks. It’s like being part of a gravity-defying circus act, with you as the unwilling star.
Now, let’s talk about the fellow passengers. Mumbai locals are like a vibrant ecosystem of diverse characters. You’ll encounter the human encyclopaedias who are convinced that their loud conversations are essential for everyone’s general knowledge. You will know everything about their family , office to even their favourite colour within the 30 minutes journey .
Then there are the master negotiators who can transform a crowded inch of space into a cosy corner for three. This person skillfully manoeuvres through the crowded compartment, utilising their elbows, knees, and an impressive sense of balance.
And then there are foodie ones, they treat the train like their personal dining car. Armed with an impressive stock of snacks, they generously share the aroma of vada pav, samosas, and bhel puri with everyone around.
There are know-it-all aunties who will tell you where to stand , how to stand , how to sit and a lot of other suggestions which you didn’t ask for but she will anyways enrich you with the treasure of wisdom about local the art of travelling in local trains.
Oh, and the vendors! They’re like ninjas, stealthily navigating through the moving train with trays piled high with goodies who are selling their stuff at an unbelievably low cost . You will get everything from them from snacks to toys to miniature household appliances to make- up to clothes . If you forgot to buy a gift for your loved ones don’t worry Mumbai local vendors got you. they’ve got it all. It’s like having a mobile shop right in front of you.
Then comes the Social Butterfly For this person, the local train is a social gathering on wheels. They can talk to anyone known , unknown doesn’t matter . If you’re lucky, you might become the audience for their impromptu stand-up comedy routine.
The last one is the sleeping beauty . They can sleep in the most chaotic , uncomfortable places where no normal human can not even relax . They have mastered the art of sleeping even while standing, leaving you wondering if they possess any secret superpowers. These are the characters who make the journey entertaining in the discomfort of the crowd.
But the real challenge comes when you have to get off the train. Picture a mass exodus of people, all pushing and shoving to make their way out. It’s a survival of the fittest situation where agility and quick reflexes are your best friends. But it also comes with the relief of getting the fresh air and reaching your destination.
So, a Mumbai local journey is not just a mere commute. It’s a test of your resilience, a chance to showcase your balancing skills, and an opportunity to witness the delightful chaos of everyday life. It’s an adventure that will leave you with stories to tell, and perhaps a newfound appreciation for the simple joy of reaching your destination in one piece. So whenever in Mumbai Embrace this laughter-inducing madness of the Mumbai locals!
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