Stories from Travels on Friday (Part 2)

Continued....

Sonia Kaur bhenji, Tazvinder Kaur bhenji and other kind bhenjis from Westminster university had made Sholay Bhatooray. Because I had to leave early they packed some sholay and bhatooray in small plastic boxes for me to take away. The amount of pyaar and shardaa they had is admirable. May Waheguru bless them.

So with my suitcase in one hand, and Sholay Bhatooray in the other hand (in Tesco bag. lol) I left. As walked outside I saw some non-Sikh students peering through the window looking at the Gatka. They seemed by gob-smacked. I told them "please feel free to go inside and take a seat." "What are these guys doing?" once person asked. I said, "they are demonstrating the Sikh Saint-Warrior martial art of 'Gatka'". Another person say, "O man! Isn't it dangerous! They don't have any protection on!" I smiled and said, "they have the protection of GOD!"


So I rolled my suitcase to Marylebone station. The train was leaving in 30 minutes. So I thought, chalo Sholay Bhatooray khaavo! I went and washed my hands in the toilet (don't want to side-track but "yuck!" toilets were not pleasant site!). Then I found a seat in the station to sit down. I opened the bag and eagerly waited to eat the Bhatooray (because I had only had breakfast and now it was 7pm). I did Ardaas and got stuck in into the Sholay Bhatooray. WAHEGURU! They were tasty! I could see some other people who were munching on their crisps and sandwiches looking at the sholay bhatooray and thinking "that looks tastier than crisps and sandwiches!" lol.

Then I got on the train. Met a friendly familiar face from a bhaji who lives a nearby town. I did Rehraas Sahib da paath on the train. I had my ipod so I played it, as well as speak along with the paath. The gora sitting next to me didn't seem to mind because he was lisening to his music, but I sensed he was feeling slightly squashed. Sat Naam. By the time of Ardaas, I sensed that the Gora was getting slightly freaked out because I had my hand folded as well. :)

Half through the journey MY LEGS WERE ACHING from the lack of leg-space on the train. So I decide to stretch my legs side wards (towards the isle way). Little did I realise that I was stretching my legs out I was leaning back (ACCIDENTLY) and SQUASHING the poor Gora. Waheguru! As I suddenly realised I apologised. Poor chap was trying to read and there was my stretching backwards into his face. WAHEGURU!

Then 15 minutes before my stop comes, some sharaabi (drunk) Gore come and sit opposite me. One bloke smiled and the other made a weird face at me. I was unsure whether he was trying to make a silly holloween type face at me jokingly, or whether he was trying to make feel intimidated or scared. I looked at him and thought "Rab Bhalla Kare" and continued to listen to my iPod (really nice Dharmik songs by Hans Raj Hans and Sardool Sikander).

5 minutes before my stop arrived, I got up and stood near the train door. So did the two sharaabis (drunkards). One of them was on the phone and RANDOMLY put his phone to my ear and said "Say something". I was bit taken back and thought "WAHEGURU!". Again he said, "Say something." So I said, "hello". lol. He then said said thanks. Apparently his friend on the friend didn't believe he was on the train, so me saying "HELLO" was the proof that he was on the train. Waheguru Bhalla Kare.

Then the bloke was saying something to me. I don't know whether it was a compliment or insult because I was listening to my iPod. I just smiled back, and then I hear the Gora say "Sorry mate!" Next thing he wants to shake my hand and say "take it easy, cool, cool..." I was thinking "what the heck is happening." I hesitatingly shook the bloke's hand (think OMG now I got to wash my hands ASAP because the bloke is DRUNK!). I thought how are these people wearing t-shirts and jeans and NO COAT or JACKET in such COLD WEATHER. Next thing the bloke says to me, "Mate, my dad has the same shoes as you've got on." I just smiled back. I don't know whether he was saying I am wearing granddad shoes or whether his dad is "hip and cool". lol.

EVENTUALLY the train arrived and thought Rab Da Shukar!!! Got home and WASHED MY HANDS, chilled with family and ate Amb (MANGOES)! yum, yum!!