The goods compartment smells a little fishy. But that’s compensated for by the expanses of space available in comparison to the other compartments, and the breeze racing through the open and uncrowded doors. The women have taken over the compartment, since it is not rush hour. They shoo off any man who peeks in jealously at the empty space. A police officer is tolerated. He turns a blind eye to the women’s monopoly, even though it is not in the rule books. But women in a Bumm-Bumm-Bhole-Land local train are not to be messed with too easily.
Two boys make their way into the compartment. The taller one shows off his height to the shorter one, by reaching out for the handlebars. The shorter one leaps at the bars, gets his grip and swings. I take out my camera and ask him to repeat the action. He is happy to oblige. A couple of women give him instructions on how to pose for the camera.
The boys have won the approval of the women, courtesy my camera.
Hihi….the women were biased I see
A camera does that to the best of best.
But would they tolerate a gori like me?
Oh, they would. Specially if you spoke a little Hindi.
Before I visit India next (November 2011 or thereabouts, I hope!) I must learn enough Hindi to participate in scenarios like this!
Ah, to frighten you a little more, you must learn Gujarati and Marathi too. But don’t worry, a smile will do too.
Why are there handlebars in a goods compartment? The space looks beautiful, though (or is it the magic of your camera?) Love the wooden shelves and the paneled look of the walls.
Lekhni, this is not a goods compartment as in ‘only goods’. It is for people carrying goods, used mainly by the hawkers carrying their wares each morning, sales people carrying huge parcels, dabbawalas carrying tiffin boxes, and of course, the fisher-women taking their ‘maal’ to the market. Therefore the handlebars.
Ah yes, that does look like paneled wood, doesn’t it? It’s all just painted yellow.
Such fun!!!!!!
Dips, I take it you are back from your jaunts. Welcome back. What fun indeed!!