Train Station Mad Rush

On the day of departure by train to MDJ to visit the grandparents, both Kristine and Kimberley insisted on attending schools for just 2 hours. Tight schedule to meet for train departing at 1138am.

The scheduled timeline for the morning was

0950am Pick Kimberley from kinder
(1000am actual)
1000am taxi to Kristine school
(1025am actual (no taxi outside main gate)
1025am arrive Kristine school,
(1048am actual)
1030am head for train station
(1055am actual)

Taxi driver did an Indy500 race from Kristine school to train station, dropping us just outside train station to save us some long walk from the normal dropoff point across a busy road linked by a long pedestrian overpass.

25mins to train departure time. 100m walk to the main entrance. We should be able to make it. Not wanting to miss the train after all the trouble HT went through to get us those precious tickets.

10 steps off the taxi, stopped by armed police by roadside, wanting to check ID. Off came my backpack onto ground, unzip back pocket, took out folder, unzip folder to retrive 4 passports. Passport photos, other ID fell off folder.

Armed police saw the passport covers, and waved us on.

5 more quickened steps and another armed police stopped me, wanting to check my backpack.

Found my fruit knife on side pocket. Armed police was beaming with delight. He had picked the right target for further search. He tried explain why that knife couldnt be brought onto train. I cut him short and replied 'keep it!' and we rushed off.

A rush to the main entrance. What else to expect other than a long queue in front of security xrays. Luckily the line moved well, and we were lucky not to have our bags searched again.

Reached waiting hall inside at 1118am. Gambled I could afford 5 minutes to get two McDonalds Happy Meals. No hassle there. I returned with the treasured lunch at 1123am. Just 15 minutes to spare. Hopefully our train car is not far off the ticket checkpoint. Still no call for boarding.

Then we saw the MDJ train sign saying departure at 1238am. Grace thought was train was delayed. That would be a first. Service attitude on train is bad compared to airplanes, but train service is not known for delays.

Looked at the tickets again.

Deprature time printed 1238am........................

Kristine and Kimberley had time for their HAPPY MEALS!!!!!!