Time (Train) Travel

During my SRM College days (03-06), trains were my best means of transport; no worries of snail pace traffic, potholes. Trains were a sure shot timing; 52 minutes (Kodambakkam-Guduvanchery). We were a bunch of friends and we synced our travel time to make the most of an otherwise monotonous journey.

No WhatsApp those days and messaging was the way to go! Right from waking up early, 30 minutes bike ride to the Rly St, followed by a torrent of minute by minute updates till we sight each other on the platform or in a train; a friend would be in the Kodambakkam Rly St, a hand or two would wave vigorously from the oncoming train. A hand will become hands as the stations go by and as friends hop along. If a friend missed the train, all would hop off! And the happy wait would begin to “Wham” the buddy who caused the needless delay.

First Class bogies were a strict No-No, the only thoughts were of how costly it would be and the heavy fine we would have to pay in case we got caught. It used to be an hour of fun, until we got down at Potheri. Then followed by the 20 minute OMG walk to the university in the hot, warm, rainy, thunderstorms or pleasant days!

Evenings were even more fun; we had no pressure of time or anything, to board the route buses. Have fun in the cafeteria err outside, in the open space of the cafeteria within sight of the unhappy canteen people. A day or two in a month, we would come by bike. Destinations were decided at the drop of a thought. Every day! After SRM, I got into Loyola (06-08), Advertising (08-09) and came Zoho (09- ).

Here in Zoho (Potheri office), It all comes back!

Train - Synching with friends – Fun - A rare bike ride! Blessings being travelling in uncrowded first class, cab pickup & drop, warm tiffin to welcome us & dinner too! But, the inevitable being, an overpowering desire to be home early! EARLY! Hahaha!!!