Travel, specifically, travel by train is one of the most painful and stressful experiences I have ever endured. The feeling of, if I go the wrong way i could get lost and never find my bed, is a real anxiety driver.
It doesn’t help that the railway system is built to entice so much stress that you could cut it’s physical form in half with a knife. Wrong train, wrong ticket, where did I leave my ticket? Are phrases continually playing through your mind, even if you just double and triple checked your pocket and the timetable for the hundredth time.
It’s not just the system, it’s also the passengers.
The first instance I would like to mention is a recent experience that I encountered on the way back to East Grinstead on the train to London Victoria so I could change at the ever fantastical East Croydon. Across from me were two people, one a kind woman who sat in her seat peacefully reading a book in complete silence, and two, a loud laughing man in his thirties with dark hair and angry eyes; who interrupted the peace and silent agreement between me and this woman to keep quiet. And whilst i don’t like to sound rude the man was over comfortable in his seat on the train bellowing a conversation over the phone to his family? A friend? I have no idea, but if you’re going to make everyone anxious just by speaking loudly, it would probably be best to wait till home to have this conversation. I suppose it could have been an important business call and since he was mostly talking in another language we wouldn’t be able to understand what was being said. However that excuse falls flat as well as there was a possibility that someone knew what he was saying and was on the same carriage was still pretty high. That as well as his overly jovial and Santa clause like demeanor suggested otherwise.
This isn’t my only awkward experience on this line.
On my wake back from East Grinstead I took the train back to Portsmouth from Clapham Junction. On this train I felt older than I have ever felt before. Whilst I realise I’m still pretty young as a first year at University, it didn’t help me when I saw a group of Secondary schoolers probably in year ten recreating something they saw on Tik Tok (music and all) using the bathroom stall as a starting point.
I could not contain my laughter.
Comment any awkward moment you or a family member had on a train i’ll be sure to read them and respond. Sorry it’s been a few weeks but I’ve been dealing with family stuff so I’ve had little time to work on my blog. Nevertheless I hope you enjoyed reading this and that you have a good day.
James Flambard's Student Experiences 