A Pathetic Train Journey: A Day I Won't Forget

 A Pathetic Train Journey: A Day I Won't Forget

There’s a certain charm to train journeys – the rhythmic clatter of wheels on tracks, the glimpses of landscapes rushing by, and the promise of adventure. But sometimes, that charm fades into a nightmare. My recent train journey was one of those experiences that left me longing for teleportation to become a reality.

It all started with a delayed departure. I had arrived at the station brimming with optimism, imagining a peaceful ride with a window seat and maybe a steaming cup of chai. But reality hit when the train arrived two hours late, overcrowded with a sea of passengers spilling out of every compartment. The smell of sweat, mixed with the faint aroma of fried snacks, hit me as I boarded.

My allocated seat? Occupied. Apparently, “first come, first served” was the unspoken rule. After a heated exchange with the person who refused

to budge, I settled for a narrow corner on a side berth, half sitting, half crouching.

The train crawled forward, jerking and stopping at every minor station, as if taunting me. The air was suffocating, with no ventilation in sight. The fans hung still, mocking us in their lifeless state. Children wailed, hawkers shouted, and an uncle next to me snored so loudly that I wondered if he was auditioning for a wildlife documentary on bears.

The worst part? The bathroom. One glance and I decided to embrace dehydration for the rest of the journey. It was a scene straight out of a horror movie, and I silently vowed never to take my bladder for granted again.

The hours dragged on, and hunger set in. I hesitated to eat anything sold by the vendors, fearing stomach issues would only add to my misery. My only solace was a small packet of biscuits I had stashed in my bag.

Finally, as the train approached my destination, relief washed over me. But even disembarking felt like a battlefield, with passengers jostling and elbowing their way out.

As I stepped onto the platform, sweaty and exhausted, I promised myself one thing: next time, I’d double-check reviews before booking a train journey.

This experience was a harsh reminder that while trains are often romanticized, they can sometimes deliver a dose of reality that’s anything but dreamy.

Have you ever had a similar train journey? Let me know in the comments below – misery loves 

company, after all!