Today, I was most surprised to find the Metro train completely full with people packed-in like a can of sardines. Every single car of the 8-wagon train was packed with people. I hope to god that this is a one-off thing. Would hate to see this happening everyday.
I love my 6 minute travel to the office on the Metro. It’s one of a kind of experience. Every day, I run down the escalator, walk from one end of the station to the very end of the other, observing people absorbed in various activities. Most, poring over tabloids like ‘The Metro’ or ‘Stockholm City’, few talking over the phone (who do they call at 7.55 in the morn?), a girl doing her make-up, an old woman talking to her dog resting at her feet, an old man checking the garbage can to see if he can get any disposable bottles (you get money if you re-cycle it). I mostly pick the 2nd wagon from the front and still enveloped by this smug, comfortable, early morning stiffness that comes out of the fact that you have woken early, showered and breakfasted while the body and mind are still snoozing, I settle myself in a seat (yes, there’s always a seat available at rush hour 8,20) and get ready for the experience. Inside the train, it’s like a wax museum. It is quiet, well lit, print ads displayed on walls like paintings in a room and all the dolls.. er…people posing…er.. sitting, engrossed in their newspapers. You won’t detect a single movement - not even a twitch on the pale, perfectly formed, clear complexioned people. The stillness of the atmosphere is usually broken only by the announcement of the next station and the sound of doors opening and closing.
I didn’t get today’s dose of this daily routine and hope everything is back to normal on Monday.
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