Travel Thinkpiece

Zahrah, 23, Lahore, Pakistan

A lot of people I know prefer travelling with a bunch and consider travelling alone highly depressing activity. For me, the most satisfying way to travel is on foot in solitude, with my own rules. Walking through streets of your neighbourhood, you get to notice so many tiny details you took for granted behind the insulated glass windows of a car and they shame you, "How could you miss us?"

They fill me up like a warm drink and I come back home full.

Here are a few of them:

·         The trees have grown higher than the houses in our fortunately neglected neighbourhood

·         This has invited kites (which are magnificent birds!) to dwell in them and circle above us.

·         The sunflowers have gone from the gardens and irises have replaced them

·         Wires criss-cross above the street carrying strings of crows and black-crowned birds

·         The creepers draping the walls of the housed are drying up

·         Gardeners gently pry open the land and are growing marigold bushes everywhere

·         The gate at the front of our street is tangled with vines and creepers. It drops leaves as it moves.

·         Nature generally is flourishing through the cold thanks to the collected efforts of gardeners who plant, replant, water, dig and mow lawns everyday

·         The smell of methi coming from the houses near the masjid has gone

·         An office of sexually harassing PML-N supporters has developed at the mouth of the street. They ogle unashamedly at every girl who passes by

·         There is a great art gallery a half-hour walk away from my house

·         Faiz Ghar (the house where the wonderful leftist Urdu poet, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, lived) is near I could cry! And it is open to public for several talks. It has artifacts and bits from his life encased and framed around and I walked to it one day when I was feeling especially horrible.

·         Men on the street are pigs who try to make women loitering feel as uncomfortable as possible. They follow you in cars, they try chatting you up if you are alone and for a while I stayed at home after one incident. But I recovered and have decided that I will walk as much as I please.

I also saw three amazing people going about their work and I yet have to talk to them. I tried catching their eye to pass them a smile as I passed but they were busy in their work most of the time and I didn't have the courage to talk to them. All three come at 8 in the morning. One is an old woman who sweeps our street. She smokes openly, wear men's shalwar kameez and has a fluffy beard she strokes as she jokes with a group of men sitting on charpais. She has a lot of friends.

The second is another old woman who sits basking in the sun on her plastic chair reading a newspaper. I remember she used to talk to us as we passed by her house, mother, sister and me, when I was younger and she was very sweet. But I haven't seen her in a long time and I am afraid and want to ask about her.

There is a small boy, about 9, who sweeps the front of the house where he works. In one tiny hand he holds a water pipe and in the other he holds a jharroo. He rushes on tiny feet across the street if he is blocking a car's way, drivers honking at him even when he is out of the way.

I don't even know their names but I want to be a part of their lives. Often walking reminds me how I am part of a larger silence which stings and hurts and it will keep on stinging and hurting (others) till I break the silence.

I have so many whatifs in my head, whatif I am not needed, whatif they ask me about my weight, whatif they laugh at me and think I am weird? But I realize that these whatifs are going to keep buzzing around me till I do talk and find out for sure. So the next time I go on a solitary trip I have decided I will talk to them

I Feel You, Fellow Human Being

Mahzbeen, 19, Mumbai, India

Unlike a lot of my classmates, teachers and a lot of other people I know, I have travelled very less by train or taxi despite having lived in Mumbai for over 2 years now. It is not because I don’t go to a lot of places, it is just because my idea of distance is very different as compared to a lot of people and I’d rather walk to places. It is mostly the case, that I enjoy the walking to a place more than being at the place.

I am not really an introvert, or a loner, but I really love being by myself, I’d chose that over social interaction any day. Space is a major issue I have to deal with constantly. For instance, I love walking, but I do not like the fact that there are so many people who are constantly in such proximity. I detest the accidental brushing against or bumping into, not only because it is intentional more often than not, but also because it is an invasion of my space.

At the same time though, I relish those accidental eye contact moments, and awkward yet most genuine smiles exchanged in split seconds just because you feel the vibe. There is nothing better than a friendly nod of the head when you’re lamenting over a clumsy fall on the street. It’s like saying ‘I feel you, fellow human being.’ You may never see that person again, but in that moment you made a connect that wouldn’t have been possible had you taken the bus, or the taxi or had you been riding on your scooter.

I absolutely enjoy wandering, mentally as well as physically. I love the idea of turning a different corner instead of taking the same way and discovering a place or a person you did not know exists. It’s that simple, the world that we’re all trying to escape from and escape to are both around the corner. It’s just about walking the extra mile.

A World Without Limitations

Sherin, 19, Mumbai, India

Hello dear friend,

Through this tiny piece of inscription, I would love to show a glimpse of what Mumbai city is. Being in a space that is totally different from your comfort zone, I have an account of emotions to share. Mumbai city carries the hopes and dreams of diverse minorities. It holds the sentiments of people coming and moving out, excitement for a new life and a warm atmosphere that anyone would love to live in. It also delivers the thoughts of thousands who look forward for a world with peace and harmony. A world where religion doesn't pay any limitations. A world that don't smell blood shed, racism and gender discrimination. The city also offers mouth watering food that would make your tummy paunch.

With lots of love,

Sherin

There Are So Many Of Us

Mitali, 20, Mumbai, India

Hello there! 

I'm Mitali and I've lived in Mumbai, India all my life. And so have my parents and their parents and their parents...you get my point. 

Here is my terribly made sketch of my city. Point A is where I live and Point B is where I study. The two points are roughly 22 kilometers away, which means I spend 2 hours traveling everyday. Which is roughly 1460 hours traveling in 2 years. 

But I could never get tired of this journey. I pass a cross section of people every morning and it never ceases to amuse me. I pass layers of my city- people are so different ; economically, politically, demographically, culturally and socially. 

First I crawl through swarms of trucks and buses, with drivers exhausted (all the puns intended) from traveling long distances all night. These pot bellied, pain ridden souls are accompanied by clouds of smoke and fumes. Then, I cross an endless expanse of water that is then joined by sprawling mangroves and endless trees. 

A couple of minutes later, I pass broken buildings & abandoned mills, who now house forgotten furniture and decaying machines. / And then I pass my favorite space; a line of semi permanent housed, colored bright pink, custard yellow and sea green. I peak into their homes (an activity I throughly enjoy while disregarding peoples' privacy) and find busy women oiling their hair, men peaking into broken mirrors to shave / brush and children, beautiful brown sunkissed children, just comfortably inhabiting the streets. 

Everyday this city reminds me that there are so many of us. So different, complicated and loud - and everyday this city teaches me to coexist. 

Tell me your story. 

Cross-Country Travel

Prasidh, 20, Mumbai, India

My travel from Mumbai to Hyderabad:

Staying away from home is one of the best things anyone can experience, but nothing can beat the excitement you feel when you get to go back home after a long tiring semester. I usually take a bus home, which takes around 14 hours. To reach home, I have to take a cab from my college hostel, to the train station and take a local train and then take rickshaw to the bus stand. I usually leave the hostel by 5PM and I'm home by 7 or 8AM. But none of this tires me out, because all through the way I cannot stop thinking about spending time with my family, walks with my dog, parties with my friends and the humongous amount of food I could eat.

My Romantic Affair

Aabha, 19, Mumbai, India

I've been traveling in local trains for the past 5 years. The city's train travel has made me independent and given me a myriad experiences while exploring the length and the breadth of the city.

The working men and women who've been traveling together for years share laughter and grief over morning snacks and desserts. People travel with their individual groups every single day developing a strong long lasting bond with their train buddies. This unusual social gathering is usually accompanied with the melodies music of 'manjiras' on  'Vithoba' (local deity) bhajan. 

There other exciting advantage of train travelling is picking up language. I started speaking better Marathi after listening to the women speak the language fluently. Language also helps you draw cliques with fellow travellers. 

The continuous tussle to get on and off the train is a mandatory practice. Admits all the chaos I sit there silently filtering in every single experience. My romantic affair with the local trains is immortal. 

Student Budget

Lalparmawii, 19, Mumbai, India

As a student on a student budget, I wish I could spend less money on travel. I live close to Cotton Green station but that doesn't matter because the closest stop to college is 4kms away. So even if I took the train(which is a lot cheaper) I wouldn't be saving anything because I'd have to take a cab to college anyway. Everyday I take a cab to college, the journey is close to 30 mins and the distance 6kms, I reckon I spend close to 58$(5000 INR) a month. 

If you're wondering about buses, well I guess it takes dedication to take the bus daily. I'd have to wake up an hour early and wait for the bus for at least 20 mins (if I'm lucky). I suppose I am lucky though,that cabs are still a viable option of travel for me.I have classmates who live 2 hrs or more away and who have to get up as early as 4/5am to get ready for college. They have to take a rickshaw to the train station, board the train and then take a cab to college again. 

Yes travel in the city is a huge pain! Also you have to plan everything in advance because life in the city is like clockwork(you do not want to board a train during rush hour!). 

Travel Diaries

Sonia, 19, Mumbai, India

Mumbai airport , the place where love, hugs, goodbyes and kisses overflow. Airports always have an intresting niche, they are always  filled with vibrant characters. This time when I was at the security check, an old auntyji was asked to empty the contents of her bag. She politely explained that she was carrying aloo sabji, bindi sabji and roti for the kids. She also went on to say that "I didn't carry anything else because I'm scared of men with guns". 

I was also surprised to see so many Alzheimer's' patients who always leave their phones for the security guards to gape at. After all the endless procedures I found my way to the flight. Here is where you meet your new flightmate who will be clinging to you for the next 4 or 5 hours. Well, one of the  most important lessons I learnt during my flight travel was that if you don't have sleeping balance, you might as well stay awake with toothpicks in your eye. I say this because my flightmate gobbled his big Mac burger like he had been starving for ages and then he went to sleep. And I went to sleep too, after a while I ended up falling on him and he woke up as though a big earthquake had struck. I had clearly learnt my lesson. 

Every travel experience is like opening a new gift, it's new, lively and exciting.

Business As Usual

Pooja, 19, Mumbai, India

Like a body continuously at work, the lifeline of the city ( Mumbai) is the local train. So many people travel to places using them; but the life of the lifeline is the people who travel making their living out of selling things on the local. Everything from the prettiest earrings to mobile covers, brushes, makeup, torches, books, files and clothes are sold. 

Not to forget food, at the times we most need it; home made Malpoa, Khichdi, Dhokla, Idlis and Samosas. Here, everyone gets a fair share of culture and being a Mumbaikar. There is often a question - What happens when they don't sell anything one day ? Doesn't matter; for everyday, you see them get on, sing their rhythmic jingle and look at you, a smile on their lips and hope in their eyes.

Travelling On The Local

Deepika, 19, Mumbai, India

I travel from Bandra to Charni Road 6 days a week, and I travel in a local train. You must have heard about local trains, one of the most important means to survive in a city like Mumbai. Local trains are crowded, not always, but mostly they are crowded. I have to use the local trains everyday to go to college. It is cheaper for me and makes me reach college in not more than 30 minutes. 

I travel during the rush hours, by rush hours, I mean, 7 to 11 am in the morning and 5 to 10 pm in the evening. But the best part is, I travel in ladies compartment. Yes, we have special compartment for ladies in local trains.  And every morning, I see thousands of ladies crammed into the ladies compartment, and sadly, I am one of them. It is very difficult to get inside the train because Bandra is amongst the most crowded stations of Western Railways.

And when you try to get inside the train, people will push you out, and when you get out of the train, people will push you inside. It is s vicious circle. This is my everyday story. Western railways start from Virar and ends at Churchgate. We also have ladies special trains 8-10 times in a day.  You might get irritated and frustrated with it a, for a while, but after a point of time, you will get used to it. I got used to it.

Golden Street

Aishwarya, 20, Mumbai, India

SV (Swami Vivekananda) road is situated in the western suburbs of Mumbai. When the sunlight waves a good bye in the evening the golden yellow street light shelters this entire road. This road is the common route for food delivery boys and cyclists. 

The traffic sets in by 8 pm here. The road has about 50 furniture shops each decorated with lightings of different colors. The road also delights you with traditional Mumbai ice cream vendors and kulfiwalas.

Adjust A Little

Tanvi, 20, Mumbai, India

Travel in Mumbai is all about making adjustments. Whether it is travelling in local trains, taxis, rickshaws or even bikes, we Mumbaikars learn to accommodate people even in the smallest of spaces. 

As Mumbaikars, we travel through hammering rains and eternal traffic while managing to cram ourselves into the packed locals and come out of it during peak hours. If a local train is meant to fit 50 people we can easily accommodate 200. Hanging off from buses and trains is child’s play for most Mumbaikars. A rickshaw could even squeeze in two other people next to the driver if needed. 

We could also fit a family of 4 onto one single bike if we absolutely must, all with the simple skill of adjustment. As Mumbai lacks adequate space with people constantly battling to get to some place, we Mumbaikars have mastered the art of ‘adjusting’ in just about every travel situation.