Kannur To Madgaon 30.10.11

Sunday, 30th October, 2011. Around 6:15 AM, I was out after a brief holiday at home spending some unforgettable moments with my parents, sister and nephew.  Before leaving, I had my breakfast. At Kannur station there was a huge queue at the ticket counter. I got the ticket to Mangalore. Malabar Express was at platform no.1. I stepped into the train and got a seat too.

It was about 10:20AM, I reached Mangalore Central. This time I didn’t have to wait for long time to get the ticket to Madgaon, Goa.  Matsyaganda Express was scheduled to depart at 12:50 PM.  Since there was sufficient time, I have planned to make a trip into the city. The church of Our Lady of Miracles was on the right side of the busy road. When I entered its campus, I heard the announcement of providing breakfast, lunch and a game of housie. Since it wasn’t for me, I walked away from the church and entered the polo sale. Since I was not in the mood to buy anything, I paced out quickly to have a bottle of 7up from a nearby store. While returning, I found Sree Muthappan Temple where I had spent some fifteen to twenty minutes praying to the god to take care of me. 

When it was nearly 12o’ clock, I entered station and had bananas before heading towards the general compartment of Matsyaganda Express. I got a seat to rest. Since it was hot, I sporadically stood up to feel the cool air from the fan over me. Exactly at 12:50 PM, the train moved slowly and then sped towards my destination. I had my lunch around 2:00 PM. I spent some time thinking about my parents, sister and nephew. I did not know when I would be able make my next trip to meet them.

It was over 7:00 PM when I reached Madgaon Station. I rushed to buy a bottle of water and dashed towards the nearby bus stand to catch the bus to Madgaon bus stand. There I got the bus which took me to Ponda. At Ponda I reached right in time to board the last bus around 8:20 PM. I reached my room at Usgao near Nestle just about 8:45 PM. After a brief chitchat with my room-mate, I had my dinner and went to bed.

Madgaon To Kannur 26.10.11

Wednesday, 26th October 2011. It was the day of Diwali. Exactly at 6.00 AM, I set out towards my native place from Usgao, near Nestle. Since it was the festival day, the bus arrived a little over 6:30 AM. Before 7:00 AM, I was at Ponda. The bus going to Madgaon was already there to be boarded. The bus took me to Madgaon bus stand from where I took the bus to the station.

When I had thought about going to Kannur, a few days ago, I had a little hope of getting SL reservation. Therefore I have planned to travel unreserved. The train Mumbai – Mangalore Express, which was supposed to depart at 8:30 AM, was late a bit. So I had enough time for not only getting the ticket but also having a quick breakfast.

The train arrived a little over 9:00 AM. And I got a seat to rest myself, not getting even a short nap as I always find very difficult to sleep in train. As the train zoomed towards Mangalore, I thought of the second train which I would have to catch to reach Kannur. Meanwhile, I ate a packet of Good Day biscuit.

Around 4:00 PM. Mangalore junction. I went to platform no.1 to get the ticket to Kannur. I was told to go to Mangalore central where Chennai mail was expected. Subramaniam Rd. -  Mangalore Central train took me to Mangalore Central where I found Mangalore – Kannur passenger train. A lady informed me the train would depart at 4:35 PM. Chennai mail, which would depart at 4:15 PM, had already arrived at another platform.

I strolled along the platform to find the exact position of the general compartment at another platform, intermittently dashing inside the passenger train. When I had got it, I placed my luggage on the passenger train, jumped on the railway track, pulled down the traveling bag, carried it towards the mail, placed on the train and finally jumped into the train. What a relief!

Over 4:15 PM the train started to drift away from Mangalore and speed towards Kannur. I had to wait for a seat till Kanhangad. While traveling, I had wada and chutni as snacks or, to be accurate, my lunch. The thoughts of meeting my parents, sister and nephew recharged me. It took less than three hours to reach Kannur. An auto rushed me home where I got the red carpet welcome. Besides, the lamps were burning brightly. Happy Diwali!