Pleasantly surprising incidents.

[phaedrus]

There is one I won't forget easily, as it happened in most subtle way possible. About 3 years back. I was supposed to board a train from Delhi - Dehradun (Jan-Shatabdi). I inquired about the departure platform and quickly located the Shtabdi parked there. (At New Delhi railway station, Shatabdi trains reach the platform about 10-15 minutes ahead of departure time). Quickly located the coach/berth and placed the luggage in overhead rack and settled in the seat. Shatabdi is a typical chair car for shorter routes ( 6 or so hours at max), with rows of 3+2 seats. Since I knew it will take about 5 hours to destination and I had the window seat, I closed my eyes and prepared for the nap. In about 2-3 minutes was awaken by a very weak voice of a very fragile old man, standing 2 rows in front of me, asking me in with grandpa-kind smile - "Beta ye train kahan jaa rahi hai" (Son, where is this train heading too). I replied - "Dehradun". He did not say anything and kept looking at me and still smiling, as if he did not hear me and still awaiting my answer. Then another couple walks in with luggage and start putting their stuff in the row between me and the old man was standing. The old guy - repeated his question again "Beta, ye train kahan jaa rahi hai". I replied again - "Dehradun". Then this new guy interrupted - "no, this is going to XYZ place ( can't remember exact name)". I said - "are you sure, its not Dehradun". He replied affirmatively. I quickly got down and checked the reservation chart and realized my mistake. Since it was almost about the departure time, I was a bit shocked, got back, picked up the luggage, and said hurried thanks to the old man, who was still standing at the same place and still smiling. As if smiling at me! I travel on that route about 2-3 times (one side) a year. And that was the only time I was about to board the wrong train, which I later checked was heading in almost diametrically opposite direction. If it were not for that totally random old man, I could have slept nicely for 4-5 hours, only to arrive at some alien city. Of course the 'owner' of the berth I was occupying would have come much sooner, so there was a chance I would skipped at least one station. Please use this thread to share your good experiences.