Train rides during quarantine. At the beginning it was a bit spooky. In the course of 5 days, train that starts in Roskilde at 7:40 in the morning, went from completely packed to completely empty. So empty that one day last week there were only two of us that got of the train at Copenhagen central station. On a usual day it takes a couple of minutes for all the people to get of the train.
What I find interesting is that the few people who ride the train are acting differently - and I don't mean quarantine differently - I mean, differently. On an average train ride, bike compartment is full and everybody is absorbed in their own business. Be it smartphone, book, laptop, telephone. Interaction with other people is non existent and communication is reduced to essentials only. That includes people with bikes when they need to park their bikes one on top of the other. At these moments will a person that parks her bike on top of the first one ask "Where are you getting of?" Other than that, it is non-existent. People don't even look at you. That's it! In the train, full of people, that is all the communication you will get.
Since the quarantine started, other passengers became much more welcoming. One day I noticed that the people who were in the wagon with me, from time to time would throw me a quick glance and gave me a warm smile. I was completely taken aback with it. I was just doing my train ride, Danish style, reading a book and I started getting glances. When I got home, I consulted with my domestic expert on Danish behavior. She said that what most likely happened is that Danes started to feel solidarity. It is quarantine times and not a lot of people is using the trains. Those few that do, started to develop the notion"we are in this together". I must say, I totally didn't see that one coming because for me it was just another train ride. Plus, it's not like I am seeing people often in the train, on most days I am the only person in the wagon.
But one time, when I had a fellow passenger, it was pure gold. I was going home from work. When I entered my bike section, there was an elderly lady inside with her bitchin' electric bike. She was also in great shape, you could see that she is exercising a lot. It became apparent very early into the train ride that she isn't an experienced train rider. When the lady that is checking tickets came, they got into a long discussion about the old lady's ticket. The conductor had a lot of work with explaining to her, how it is working. When that event was over, I heard her talking on the phone, reporting that she is in the train and that she will soon be in Roskilde. Plus she had that vibe around her that was screaming, "OMG I AM SOOO EXCITED WITH THIS TRAIN RIDE!!!!" I am not sure was it because she is usually inexperienced with train rides, or is this train ride extra exciting because it is a corona train ride.
The train went past Trekkroner, which means that we will be in Roskilde in about 5 minutes. She got up immediately as the train left the station and started to get ready for disembarking. She corrected her bike clothes and gloves, took her bike and stood in front of the doors ready to jump out. But in these corona times it is not so easy to get of the train, as she is about to find out.
When the train stops, if you want the doors to open, you need to press a button. That is something that people usually do with fingers but now a days there is the instruction to use the elbow. The train is passing next to the graveyard and our train ride hero is at a ready. She is at the door with her palm on the shoulder and elbow sticking out ready to lunge for the button at the split second the train stops. The train is entering the station, she is all arched towards the door so the elbow can hover just a few inches from the button. When the train stops she is in the perfect position to jump the button... or elbow it and get off the train.
The moment came. The train stopped. The button is ready to be pressed. She lunges for it, as the bike was in the way, her arched out body and the hovering elbow were still a bit too far so she raised herself on her toes, closed the elbow gap and smashed the button AND... nothing, the doors are still closed, but now she is standing normally. Doesn't matter, elbow at a ready, arch forward, raise on the toes and smash the button triumphantly for the second time AND nothing. Disappointment and disbelief started to creep in. The train is on the station for full ten seconds and she is still on it. No matter, this little bump will not prevent her. She notices another button on her right hand side and decides that is the one button to open the doors. She is ready again, elbow, arch, toes, smash, nothing, smash, nothing. Despair, full twenty seconds passed, she elbowed two buttons, four times and she is still in the train. Desperate times require desperate measures. She goes for it again, but this time with a clenched fist. She will smash the button with a fist, with the cykeling glove so she doesn't touch the corona train button with her unprotected finger. BUM! Nothing, the doors are still closed and by this time the whole eternity passed. She is disheartened by now. You can see she is giving up. Slowly you can see the fist relaxes, naked thump rears out its finger nail and gently goes for the button... and the button abides. Hiss of air flies through the wagon and our brave hero is finally free. The fight was long and hard and she gave her best, but failed. At least she will disembark in Roskilde and live to see another day with her coronated finger.
No comments:
Post a Comment