Adjustment on the RAILS!

With a heavy heart, we dragged ourselves to see the Golden city of Jaisalmer from Jaipur. Jaipur impressed us and me in particular with brilliant planning and discipline. The taxi drivers often complained to us about the engine abuse by the youth on the two tires between their legs which had grown horrendous in recent times. It was a long overnight Indian Railways organized journey that awaited us. Carrying three young kids of six, four, and three, the seven of us really was ready to call it a day as soon as we boarded the train. Some of us had been waiting to just get into the train to launch on to the cozy berths after a hot sunny day in Jaipur.

The railway station was quite near to where we lived in those Civil Lines. The only botheration we had was on how to be together when our seats were as spread as 3, 4, 14, 15, 16, 24, 63, 64. All of us were equally shy to start a conversation pleading for a shift of seats with any fellow passengers too. The art of seat swapping has to be learned from the passengers of Indian trains. When we boarded, I took my designated seat number 3(UB) and was quite happy about it. Before even the train howled its first horn, the inaugural swap was performed. One of the passengers daughter in law, brought her bold toes to me asking for a swap with 4 since her dad need to lower berth which was like the birth right for the old and needy once in Indian trains. As my friend who owned the 4 was very accommodating guy, he agreed for the swap. He had swapped with 18.


The new chart looked something like 3, 14, 15, 16, 18, 24, 63 and 64 with us. We had booked an additional berth for our six year old which made us acquire 8 berths in total. The seat number 4 had been given to a guy who claimed to have undergone by-pass surgery and cannot exert much force and needed a lower birth plus he qualified as an old man too which got him an easy swap from us. Later during the journey we found that since 1 and 2 seats belonged to his co-passengers, he wanted to be in the same group which got them to 4. Now that 3 was the one in that area and an upper berth, I decided to hand it over to our only bachelor in the group which was my brother in law. He got himself promoted from 63 straight to 3. I made a move myself leaving my blue backpack under the seat safely jammed.


A large Bengali family was seated in the rest of the 60s seats. We observed their bond and happiness while we chatted up some strangers. There was one aunty with her daughter, who was always advising and chatting up my friends who were in 14, 15 an 16 about Jaisalmer, as in what to expect and how the place was. She was sharing her wisdom from the ground after living there from time eternal. As it was too noisy and somewhat funny, I decided to not go in that direction as I was always a poor recipient of instructions. As usual we both got bored talking and I had a sojourn to my friends on 18 and 24. Seeing my frequent trips between 63 and 24, the passenger from 17, whom later I figured out was patiently waiting to swap to his Bengali family on the 60s(seats), proposed a swap with us. I welcomed it with both hands and we both moved from 63 and 64 to 17 and 20.


Again the chart was altered  and we now looked 3, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20 and 24. We had to grab a booked meal delivered by private groups by the time the train reaches some station. The meal was neat and during that time I decided to alight and get some cool drinks for the gang. I ended up buying some 25 bottles of Amul Kool which was like the only good thing I could get there. The shopkeeper was surprised by my deal. After a hot meal of some chapathis and rice and some shots of Amul Kool, we all decided to sleep. I took the 24 as I found it more peaceful for reading and free roaming as it was a side upper. The ladies took the lower berths who were normally the second most qualified people after those old people in the Indian context. The same people who would put up a flag on equality as soon as they reach their destination station.


The train ticket checker asked me about the seat numbers every times he passed by and he looked more confused than attentive. I assured him that everything was intact and legal. As long as no other person comes claiming for the berths, he was well relieved. At times we could hear, many passengers who were daring to board this train which had only one single AC compartment and rest all sitting without a berth to sleep. They often thought they could steal a deal from the people aboard or the train inspector himself to catch some sleep. I have to admit that these daring souls are the ones who really manages to even borrow a berth from the train inspector while he is working. Sometimes rare arguments broke out where the people who themselves did a swap or shift making fun of others trying to get a favored seat or berth.

After all the complicated jumps, swaps and shifting, we were all where we all should be...nothing but together! Interesting enough we could notice that now we were all again joined by destiny as once done by our college almost 17years back but this also our better half and kids among us. I enjoyed the whole panic and chaos by these swaps and movements...this can't be seen in most part of the world but only in our dear India where we think adjusting is the key for survival and compassion is just a virtue to be used only during train trips.

Note: The 3AC layout pics are for representation purposes so you get my point :)