It was like any other day in the crowded, busy city of Tokyo, the capital of Japan, and one of the most technologically advanced cities in the world. Tokyo looks like it is busy to its commuters and tourists.
It was eight-thirty in the morning. I, had left my hotel room and travelled to the Nanchuko-Nanzen railway station for my train to Nanchuko in downtown Tokyo. I paid for my ticket and waited. Perhaps, I was so engrossed in observing the commuters. As the train approached, the crowd beside me grew stronger and stronger. As the doors of the train opened, and even before I could blink, the crowd started surging on to the train.
It was like being stamped by an avalanche of rhinos, except these so-called ‘Rhinos’ were humans. Before I could even say Wait!, I was being pushed back into the station. Fortunately for me, a train packer-a special officer hired for pushing people into overcrowded trains, pushed me in just as the doors closed. I was being sandwiched, like a piece of molten cheese between vegetables and bread. I could hardly even move. I struggled in every step of the way to get back to the door, but the train was jerking back and forth, side-to-side while moving, so it was practically a feat too great to be accomplished, and which I intend to publish in the Guinness Book of World Records (seriously).
When, I finally got to the door, the jerkiness of the train could be seen in front of the glass, which would have been amusing to others… sort of. I looked up at the subway map and saw that I had to travel for another half-hour! I practically fainted at the thought of riding in this hell, but I overcame it.
When I finally got out at Nanchuko, I literally kissed the ground, and thanked God for helping me survive the ordeal. It was a truly horrifying experience.
-Kishore.A
IX-A
Travelling it is said, is a source of education and delight. I had a different opinion. The population of country is increasing at a tremendous rate. The impact of this increased population is most felt when I traveled by a bus or a train.
Since, It was an important festival for which the whole family has to gather, I was forced to come with my mother. However, my father was out of station. She insisted on attending it. Since, my father was unavailable I had to agree to accompany her. I decided to lead the troupe of ladies including my mom. But the very first sight at railway station they gave me a jerk. There was a great rush. People were pushing, jostling and elbowing one another. I feared that if I enter, my bones would be shattered. We reached the platform which was crowded with men, women and children. I worried; my mother looked at me with pity. The compartment was literally like a battlefield. The passengers were quarreling and pushing. Children cried, some old men coughed, men and women were standing by pushing each other, I was not even able to breathe. The smokers made the situation worse. After a few stations by the way, the compartment appeared to be free. I met different characters like a person without ticket was honest and morality and lectures by old men made me mind-relaxed. At last we reached our station, the troupe got down without any disturbances.
S.Sneha
X B