Friday, March 21, 2008

Ye hai Mumbai Meri Jaan

An interesting thing happened this past Monday. I was on my way to my evening seminar for the Landmark Forum (Please google Landmark education). I have to be at Churchgate at 7 pm, so I leave my place in Andheri at 530. I take the MIDC route which means I shouldnt encounter traffic and needless to say I get lots of it. There is this one turn where every one just wants to block the other guy, so eventually no one gets through without losing a lot of time, and a lot of his mind. Took me 25 minutes to get out of that jam. Reached Andheri station, bought coupons and was on my way to the platform, when I saw my 6.05 fast local departing. I would have made it to the train had it not been for these amazing ladies who were taking a leisurely stroll through the park albeit down the platform steps.

The train left by the time i reached the station. So i waited for the next one which was to come by 6.14. Mumbai. Train isnt there till 6.20. And in the meantime they pass a passenger mail on this track. So eventually there are scores of people waiting for the 6.14 train. Scores! train arrives at 6.27, and there is a crazy rush to get into it. As I tried my bit to get into an already fast filling train, i suddenly felt my right foot very bare. The chappal on my right foot was off. Great. People who know Mumbai locals will understand why I didnt try to turn around to find it. For people who dont, I would have died in the stampede if I did. So I just smiled to myself and hobbling on my bare foot just about managed to stand. I should mention here that the train floor was bloody warm.

I reached Churchgate and with one chappal on one foot and walking in that weird fashion went to the stalls in the subway. Thankfully there was one store which sold chappals and I got my self a new pair for 100 bucks. I went for my seminar. I couldnt get my mind off the chappal that had fallen because it was a gift from someone, and I liked them as well. So i made up my mind. I was gonna get back to the station and search for them.

I got back to Andheri station at 1130pm. As I had decided I went down to the same platform, and started retracing my steps from 5 hours ago. There was an empty train standing at the tracks so I couldnt search the tracks. I waited for 10 minutes for the train to depart to the yard. When it left there was an announcement than another fast train was expected on the same tracks. Frantically I started looking at the tracks. Lo and Behold, there it was. Lying face down on the side of the tracks. I made sure that there was no train coming to kill me, jumped onto the tracks and retrieved my chappal. I removed the new ones that I had bought. got the old lonely one from my bag and wore my original chappals again, and I can tell you....I was crazy happy!

For people who want to know how I got my chappal back, please watch / read The Secret!!!!