Whether riding a swaying camel, trying to get a breath of fresh air while being crammed along with seven other people in a rickshaw, trying not to look at the ground as you sit on a elephant, or riding a train, travel is very different in India than in the West. Most of the travel me and my family did was in trains. Our longest train trip spanned three days! I did a LOT of reading. I also played chess on the computer with my Dad and carried on a few conversations with Indians. Rectangular back cushions on the trains in India can be folded up and attached to another bunk above it by chains with hooks on the end. Forming three layers of beds, the seats (more like a padded bench really, you do don't get your own seat) the backrest which has been folded up, and a stationary bunk at the top. Before we went to bed, a steward came down the isle handing out blankets, sheets, and small pillows. The problem with sleeping on a train is that while you are asleep, vendors come through the aisle every time the train stops at a station announcing their wares, and often waking you up. The most annoying vendors were the ones who sold coffee from a big container, they would walk down the isle calling out "chai, chai, chai coffee"in a high, nasal voice. We also rode on camels and elephants while we were in India! But I will discuss that more in depth later on.
 |
| The toy train ascending to Shimla. |
No comments:
Post a Comment