So my first train ride was a bit of shock Oh my the bathroom stinks and the compartment is not clean, but I managed and we arrived in Darjeeling in one piece. So when we went to board the train from Darjeeling to Varanasi things well things just kind of fell apart.
First thing was the "executive asst" told us that we had to be there three hours early. That was a bit of a problem for me since I had developed ahem bathroom issues, so I wasn't prepared to leave the hotel (which was lovely I might add) at 10 in the morning like he wanted us too. So we talked to the driver and left at noon instead. Our train was to leave at five fifteen and it was suppose to be a two and a half our drive to the station, but we figured that it would be more like three and a half hours so yes plenty of time.
We did not arrive at the station until 4 pm and as we pulled up we asked where the "executive assistant" was going to meet us. No, we were told nobody was going to meet us. Nobody was going to make sure we got on the train, nobody was going to make sure we got on the right compartment.
I was a bit more panicked then Twila since Twila had been wait listed and I had a bunk. What if I got on and she did not? I told her I was not going to travel without her, so if she did not go I was not going to go, and she could not take my seat and leave me behind. But Tiger Paw had got her a bunk so all was good, at least on that count.
Twila kept asking the driver where are we going, how many platforms where are we suppose to go, how do we know which train, how do we know which compartment. He was very little help since he did not speak english, but he spoke enough to tell us he could not park there and he had to go.
So abandoned and alone Twila said we can figure it out, there are only three platforms. Actually there were six platforms, and only one of them had a ramp. So I am praying that the platform we want is the one with the ramp.
So Twila goes up to the first person who she thinks speaks english and asks what platform we should be on. Well he did not speak that much english, but soon she had a crowd around her all trying to help her. We finally figured out that we had to wait until they called the train to figure the platform. So we sat at the top of the stairs getting our hopes up that it would be the one with the ramp. Guess what, it wasn't.
The reason I wanted the ramp was because our suitcases combined weigh about 200 pounds (we are allowed 44 pounds a piece, but we have been collecting presents you lucky people you.) So Twila said you go down first and go very slowly. When I got to the bottom she informed me that I did not have to go that slow, but truth be told I was going as fast as I could.
So the compartments are displayed on the board, and we were A1. The train is about a mile long, so I told Twila I would run to one end of the platform and see if A1 was down there while she protected the luggage. Well it wasn't, so I went running back to Twila and said I think we have to go the other way, but she already had that information. As usual as I ran up to her she had a group of people around her saying I will help I will show you were to go.
So he showed where A-1 was flashing, and the train pulls in and it is chaos, I push my way to A1 and Twila asks someone if that is A-1 and they say no no I will show you the right car. Yikes I almost got on the wrong car. And I never would have known. Really I would not have known.
End of Part One
MS2
First thing was the "executive asst" told us that we had to be there three hours early. That was a bit of a problem for me since I had developed ahem bathroom issues, so I wasn't prepared to leave the hotel (which was lovely I might add) at 10 in the morning like he wanted us too. So we talked to the driver and left at noon instead. Our train was to leave at five fifteen and it was suppose to be a two and a half our drive to the station, but we figured that it would be more like three and a half hours so yes plenty of time.
We did not arrive at the station until 4 pm and as we pulled up we asked where the "executive assistant" was going to meet us. No, we were told nobody was going to meet us. Nobody was going to make sure we got on the train, nobody was going to make sure we got on the right compartment.
I was a bit more panicked then Twila since Twila had been wait listed and I had a bunk. What if I got on and she did not? I told her I was not going to travel without her, so if she did not go I was not going to go, and she could not take my seat and leave me behind. But Tiger Paw had got her a bunk so all was good, at least on that count.
Twila kept asking the driver where are we going, how many platforms where are we suppose to go, how do we know which train, how do we know which compartment. He was very little help since he did not speak english, but he spoke enough to tell us he could not park there and he had to go.
So abandoned and alone Twila said we can figure it out, there are only three platforms. Actually there were six platforms, and only one of them had a ramp. So I am praying that the platform we want is the one with the ramp.
So Twila goes up to the first person who she thinks speaks english and asks what platform we should be on. Well he did not speak that much english, but soon she had a crowd around her all trying to help her. We finally figured out that we had to wait until they called the train to figure the platform. So we sat at the top of the stairs getting our hopes up that it would be the one with the ramp. Guess what, it wasn't.
The reason I wanted the ramp was because our suitcases combined weigh about 200 pounds (we are allowed 44 pounds a piece, but we have been collecting presents you lucky people you.) So Twila said you go down first and go very slowly. When I got to the bottom she informed me that I did not have to go that slow, but truth be told I was going as fast as I could.
So the compartments are displayed on the board, and we were A1. The train is about a mile long, so I told Twila I would run to one end of the platform and see if A1 was down there while she protected the luggage. Well it wasn't, so I went running back to Twila and said I think we have to go the other way, but she already had that information. As usual as I ran up to her she had a group of people around her saying I will help I will show you were to go.
So he showed where A-1 was flashing, and the train pulls in and it is chaos, I push my way to A1 and Twila asks someone if that is A-1 and they say no no I will show you the right car. Yikes I almost got on the wrong car. And I never would have known. Really I would not have known.
End of Part One
MS2
Yep, that sure sounds familiar!
ReplyDeleteYou two are great bloggists!
Now I'm wondering if I got a present! A pet monkey would be totally cool!!
ReplyDeleteWorld travel takes a certain amount of bravery. I'm impressed with both of you, and you both are terrific bloggers.
ReplyDeleteWow - maybe we should try trains in England next. The language is tough to understand, but I think we'd do better. The 4 hour cab ride does NOT sound like fun. Does it make sense to ship the stuff back to SF or ??? rather than keep carrying it around? A monkey for Tash? I suspect Tovarich might enjoy the appetizer.
ReplyDeletePoor T3 - I'm glad you made it on the train & look forward to hearing the story in person.