Friday 11 March 2011

Rajkot to Nagpur

Having booked planes for most of our journey (9 internal flights) we felt we could save some money somewhere and travel via train from Rajkot to Nagpur; a 21 hour journey.
The tickets were booked in 2 Tier AC, supposedly the best you can get on the trains.
Departure time of the train was 10:45am, but we had found out earlier it had been delayed and would be arriving at 6:30pm, so we arrived at the station a tad earlier and sat about waiting.
When the train finally arrived at 7:20pm there was a mad rush to get on, like the train was about to leave in 10 seconds, but we were soon to find out, it was due to everyone getting their luggage on and under their seats.
As we got on with our luggage, finding a place to put it all became quite a challenge. We ended up stuffing it where we could, forced to keep a small suitcase near our feet. With parts of our luggage all over the place, keeping an eye on it becomes increasingly difficult. And with bags near our feet, getting any sleep on a bed designed for the average Indian (a lot shorter than the either of us) is another thing to worry about.
Everyone we spoke to advised us against taking the food provided on the train because its rubbish, so we were resorted to bringing along dry snacks such as crisps, biscuits, nuts, etc. As the last thing we wanna do is travel in India with hot food. But their were others who didn't mind that and I guess experience of traveling on this route before has taught them what they can bring and can't bring. From the moment we got on there were these ladies who pulled out their munch. Thepla's, yogurt, chevdo, sambharo, pickles, kajupak. Also along the journey at about 2 the train stops in a small town where the daughter of one of the lady lives, so she was on the phone ordering her lunch to be dropped off on the train for them.
Coming onto the staff on train, the attitude of the guy, even while talking to elderly people, no respect or manners, seeing that kind of behavior you'd be thinking if this guy spoke to me like that, a smack across the mouth would be in order.
The train reached Surat at 4am where a bunch of people got on, so if you managed to get an iota of sleep, you'd be woken up again by the ruckus caused
Looking back on thus trip, it may be half the price, but in my opinion definitely not worth the hassle.
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