Our driver, Khan, was of more mature years than Pradeep and more of a horn honker, we enjoyed some political banter and his view of India and the world, along the journey.
We visited the Qut'b Minar Complex and Humayan's Tomb. Strolling around felt like some calm amidst the madness of Dehli, little did we know how good that would be before our rail journey. The sun peeped through the fog and smog just a little.
With the marches and protests still a key feature in Dehli our choices were limited and traffic slow so Khan suggested we take lunch in Pandara Road. Lunch was good, chicken tikka which is so tasty here and not something we'd think of at home since it usually has a processed taste.
The rest of the afternoon was spent hawking us around various markets and bazaars with traders trying their luck at our reluctance to buy anything. You can imagine the best market we enjoyed sold meat and veg. Delicious and fresh looking vegetables and more inners hanging than in a book of anatomy. If you were border line vegetarian, this would be the deal breaker.
Finally at 7pm our guide met us for our journey to Dehli Station. I don't know how far we travelled but imagine rush hour in London after a traffic signal failure. Interestingly in a moment of real life déjà vu John described Dehli Station just before we pulled up outside.
With our rucksacks on and snacks in hand our guide (thank goodness) tagged us onto the exodus of people.
No different to any other station the tannoy was near impossible to comprehend, but we did gather all trains were late, some by 3 hours. The cold air was biting and still determined to look like Julie Christie I was fashionably unsuitably dressed...and cold.
John and I were good spirited, if feeling like a couple if over aged students on a gap year! I couldn't see any other western faces just thousands of people looking at us as if to say 'why?' and crack beggars getting the best bench or corner for the night.
The train arrived a mere 40 minutes late, so not the 3 hour delayed one - phew! Our guide found our carriage and beds and left us to get settled. Within moments we were kindly asked if we would move to the partition next door, by two English speaking gentlemen of a family of 21 on their way to Jodphur to a family 3 day wedding. We were welcomed to the wedding and offered some food - my dreams had come true! (We didn't take up the invitation, tempting though it was).
Ironically our first bunks were at the end of the carriage, our movement along with an Indian businessman named Sunni moved us right into the heart of the family. I'm sure there must have been some logic somewhere.
At around 12pm curtains were drawn and beds made, as Sunni was a bit of a talker and on a bottom bunk I thought it more appropriate to go up top and leave the men to talk. Not so - Sunni was asleep and snoring within 10 mins.
Resigned to a night of no sleep I relaxed and remembered 'I had made my bed....' and concentrating on the rocking train drifted in and out of my dreams.
(There is a utube video of the Mandore Express).
I'll bet you looked better than Julie Christie (though she still looks pretty good)!
ReplyDeleteCheers Frank
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