India, Round 2

Well...it's been about 2.5 months. I realized about a week into the trip that it was a bad idea to not take a computer along with me...internet was scarce - expensive to use some places, non-existent in others. But now, sitting at my home in NJ with not too much on the plate, I'm already starting to reminisce. Figure I can let some of that out by finally continuing what I started, writing about some of the craziness that the world brought me over the almost-2-month stretch after I left Japan. Here goes.

TRAINS IN INDIA

Coming from Japan, I was expecting a lot in the way of transportation. Big mistake. Some of the best and worst times that I had in India were related to trains. Step into one of the big central stations in a city and you'll quickly get a look at how insane life is there. People. EVERYWHERE. And not just walking through or in a ticket queue - anything from homeless dudes and beggars hoping for your extra rupees, touts fighting over your taxi fare (with included trips to their "brother's" shop. How nice of them!), or wealthier families sitting on blankets in the middle of the floor (and very much in the way) with bags upon bags of luggage. It is a madhouse. Now add the regular people flow of about Shinjuku station in Tokyo during the evening rush, and a maze platforms, and you have yourself a perfect nightmare. Awesome.
Here's me, a clueless foreigner aiming for the 6:00 a.m. from New Delhi to Agra. Arrive at the station about 5:57, no idea where I was. I rush into the station, bags in hand and on back, ignoring all the weird looks. I see platform 16. Crap. I'm on the wrong side of the station - my train is on track 1. I hear the old windows 3.x "Ta-daaa!" sound and an announcement that my train is leaving shortly. Pushing my way through the masses on the walk above the platforms - 10...9...8... Making progress, thread a couple more needles in the crowd, 5...4...3... crap! I hear my train starting to leave. It takes one last burst of adrenaline to make it to the platform, where I see the super-express rolling of the station. Uh oh.
Now.
If this were Japan, or most places in Europe, I'd be screwed. Doors shut and locked for departure.
But wait!
I'm in India! The doors are wide open and I see people hanging out the door saying goodbyes and whatnot. One IndyJones-style leap with my luggage, and I'm aboard the moving train. Not the most relaxing way to start, but at least I learned that I'd do well if cast in a western. Yippey-eye-oh-kai-eight o' clock arrival in Agra, after a nice breakfast on-board. Nice!

There are more crazy train stories from India in store, - highlights include creepy train stations and an 18-hour long-haul. To be continued tomorrow. Stay tuned!