A Local Encounter that Changed my Perspective - Train Travelling the Mela

planejanetravels — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 07:23:47 GMT

Train Travelling in India sure has its ups and downs, the down part I got a big mouthful of in Allahabad but considering it was during the epic Kumbh Mela: A mass Hindu pilgrimage and the largest human gathering in the world with up to 70 million in attendance, maybe we could class it as a complete one off, up until this point I thought my experience travelling the Bombay Metro in a sardine packed all male carriage during peak hour last year was terrifying, a year later and I unknowingly upgraded myself voluntarily to sleeper class with what could only be described as a bunch of peaceful pilgrims turn Nomad on crack. Sleeper class tickets in my pocket and I was all ready to jump on my train until witnessing the nomadic approach on how actually jumping on a train during a festival like this was, people of all ages pushing, face punching erratically to literally fight for a spot on the train paying no attention to the Military control threatening with a beat of their battens. Ticket or not there were thousands of people who weren't going to miss the train, a few ladies had fallen from the train between the platform on the track whistl train is moving and listening to people around me say so nonchalantly "yip she's definitely lost a leg easy there" I felt my whole body tighten and tense up I look to my partner Krish he reads my face so well, walks off and starts talking to the train porters on the platform and gives me a cheeky wink and smile and assures me we will jump on a ac class carriage that should be less crowded less violent but we may have to sit on the floor of the entrance for the first 8 hours. I cant help but feel a little bit defeated that I couldn't just do it, especially having this little ashram leader we met that day whispering in my ear on how I can conquer Indian customs and ways of living, Just do it! Don't be afraid! You look like a strong girl! He said, was my fear that obvious!?. Later that night on our train bound for Udaipur via Delhi we heard from other passengers that a crowd of 35 people mostly women and elderly died when the footbridge at the train station collapsed during a stampede I felt my heart sink, It's just so sad that it was inevitably waiting to happen and on an occasion to this magnitude expected.

Photos: My Scholarship entry - A 'place' I have visited

planejanetravels — Sat, 1 Dec 2012 00:41:00 GMT

Currently living in the Gold Coast, Australia working the 9-5 Office grind to support my Passion for Travel and Capturing Defining moments that take me back to Places and People so far from where I am. Photography is a new found passion for me, actually before this I have been told once in the past that Im the type of photographer who always manages to cut off certain parts of the images that would've made the shot so much more great, point taken and I like to think I've improved on this. Im a Travelling addict who's always seeking the road less travelled and new experiences to combine with my love of photography. The Oman Travel Photopgraphy Scholarship if given the opportunity would be the ultimate hands on experience to learn first class skills in the amazing landscape of the Middle East.

Plane Jane Travels

A Local Encounter that Changed my Perspective - Train Travelling the Mela

Photos: My Scholarship entry - A 'place' I have visited