Trains

The trip began Tuesday morning at 3:50 AM. We took an auto rickshaw to one of the train stations, an adventure by itself. Some of the workers forgot some important supplies. Very heavy and awkward supplies. So we take 2 of the young worker boys along with us. They don’t have tickets. They don’t get them in time so they missed the train. Now we have way more stuff than we intended to carry. We have our seats in the AC coach, which was no more than some small fans running. I have a middle seat, Mary Ellen had an aisle, and Fr. Paul was in the next aisle, its 5:05, Time to sleep. We wake up about an hour later at some huge station. All these people got on. Like 60 more people. All the seats are already filled. Just like road traffic, no space is wasted. People were moving in the leg room space in front of people. Father was sleeping, leaning on some random lady, who was sitting on his armrest, also sleeping. Vendors are walking up and down the aisle selling food and trail mix and tea and random deep fried items, all on their heads.

The train home wasn't that exciting. our fan was broken above us. we were all so tired and dirty nothing really mattered. both my companions fell asleep minutes after leaving the station. i couldnt sleep, so i made faces with this little girl catty corner to me. she thought i was hilarious. i also ate a bag of chips "Sour Cream and Onion , American Style' then Father proceed to tell us the vendors are known for drugging their products, like the tea, and they com back after you are passed out and steal your stuff. Thanks for that. i feel much safer now. the train section seats 75, as in there are 75 seats. easily 200 people in our section. i guess many people get on without a ticket and just chill out till they make it or get kicked off. either way, we made it back safely, but i did loose my bandanna, a serious tragedy.