Oh, never fear, Mohan - I've travelled lots and lots on Indian trains - 2nd class sleeper, top berth all the way.
That was a couple of decades ago, though, I must admit.
Then, after I met my wife, I took her along and that was the end of that. I remember having our private compartment on the way to Lucknow - occupied by a good 16 people whose commuter train never did show up. She didn't like that - nor when some people decided to bust in the door at our railway room at Delhi Station for reasons we never did fully understand.
Somehow, Sidney did not fully appreciate that I had splurged for her benefit alone! Then monkeys in a Benares temple attacked her and ripped her clothes after I said there was no reason to rent the war-em-off sticks at the entrance for 50 paise.
Now, after 10 years, she is actually eager to return. India.
There's a sort of democracy in the anarchy in India, which I love - although I do not mean that there is not plenty of tyranny as well.
Best regards, Peter |
