O’ trains and the dating game
A few weeks back I was on the train back from Amsterdam, quite late in the night with a few close friends after a night spent just walking around that heck of a city. The train was completely packed and we stood for awhile, and then sat where we found a little space – scattered: she on a recently empty seat, me on the stairs, he near the door.
As the weariness of the night slowly crept threw us all, I realized that there has always been something strangely nostalgic and romantic about trains. It’s weird how I can go back to the ghosts of relationships past just through railway rendezvous. Lover’s spats, first dates, stale-mates (am borrowing this term from a friend – read: mates you’re with but can’t rid), of course now it just looks like I’m borrowing experiences from bollywood movies (DDLJ, Jab we met etc.). Well, maybe a bit, or maybe just little episodes from railway vestibules half-ways across the world.
Somehow the train from Amsterdam transported me back to the suburban locals in Madras, the most fun way (in retrospect of course) to get back to the city after ditching college. Of course, having travelled on many occasions with different bunches of people, I have concluded now of the many interesting things you can do on the local trains in Madras, especially if you’re on a first date. For instance:
Hot first date: Wanna do something fun?
Me: Always!
HFD: Do you trust me?
Me: hmmm <feigning skepticism>
HFD proceeds to hold me, as I flip my hair out the door, the train going fast enough, the wind flirting with the strands, totally exhilarating!
(This unfortunately cannot be tried on trains in the Netherlands)
However, trains in Europe can be ideal for other situations.
Stale mate: Let’s talk about where this relationship is going
Me: Uh sure..I’m a bit thirsty. Can you get me some vodka?
SM: Ok..
(Some vodka shots later, hoping the crisis has been averted)
SM: So, this is a good time to discuss..
Me: <pointing out the window excited> Ooh! Check out that cow!
Just goes to show, it doesn’t matter where you are- a crowded local in India, a stiff – upper- lip pantry car in England or the double-decker Dutch screech-er, it’s just who you’re with, that makes for great stories!
thanks..more to follow!
You know.. that’s so very true! ‘Who’ rather than ‘where’.. nice one!
Yeah! fun times
… Thanks!