In the mid 1800's, India, along with pressure and help from Britain, began building what is now one of the world's largest railway systems. The railway system covers over 71,000 miles, carries nearly 20 million passengers each day, and runs 11,000 trains daily. It's safe to say that it is a vital part of life here in India.
India can best be described as sensory overload-- too many things to see, hear, taste, smell, and touch, leaving you unable to adequately explain it to another person. And for me, the train station is all those senses multiplied by a thousand. If you ever come to India, it's something you should experience. It's much cheaper than traveling by plane, and it offers you a completely different glimpse of India.
There are many different options when it comes to railway travel, and as in all travel situation, the more you pay, the more comfortable your ride will be! When we travel by train, we always purchase the pricier tickets, meaning we pay about $20 per seat. But these tickets guarantee us an assigned seat in an air-conditioned car that is reasonably clean and well-kept.
However, there are two sides to every coin! There are also those tickets which do not guarantee you a seat. These are the carts where you will find an insane amount of people vying for space in an area far too small for it's load, and mother nature will provide the only breeze you feel. The seats are taken on a first come-first serve basis! So what do you do when you find yourself with one of these tickets? You have two options.
The first option involves being first at the door. While this may seem easy, remember you'll be competing with a million other people. And it can be very dangerous in that line. Structured, organized boarding is unheard of!
So option number 2 involves thinking outside the box. If you're lucky enough to find an open window, stick your head in and look for empty seats. If you see one, it's your lucky day! It's important to act quickly, so pass your bag to the nearest passenger, and proceed to enter the train in "an nonconventional way!"
It's best to go ahead and sit, because the next seatless passenger will be along shortly looking for a seat!
I've said it before, but there truly is no place on earth like India! And the train experience is no exception! So, next time you are in India, check it out! It may not be the most glamorous experience, but it offers a cultural experience that is second to none! And if you play your cards right, you might just find yourself riding shotgun on the likes of this.... all aboard!
India can best be described as sensory overload-- too many things to see, hear, taste, smell, and touch, leaving you unable to adequately explain it to another person. And for me, the train station is all those senses multiplied by a thousand. If you ever come to India, it's something you should experience. It's much cheaper than traveling by plane, and it offers you a completely different glimpse of India.
There are many different options when it comes to railway travel, and as in all travel situation, the more you pay, the more comfortable your ride will be! When we travel by train, we always purchase the pricier tickets, meaning we pay about $20 per seat. But these tickets guarantee us an assigned seat in an air-conditioned car that is reasonably clean and well-kept.
However, there are two sides to every coin! There are also those tickets which do not guarantee you a seat. These are the carts where you will find an insane amount of people vying for space in an area far too small for it's load, and mother nature will provide the only breeze you feel. The seats are taken on a first come-first serve basis! So what do you do when you find yourself with one of these tickets? You have two options.
The first option involves being first at the door. While this may seem easy, remember you'll be competing with a million other people. And it can be very dangerous in that line. Structured, organized boarding is unheard of!
So option number 2 involves thinking outside the box. If you're lucky enough to find an open window, stick your head in and look for empty seats. If you see one, it's your lucky day! It's important to act quickly, so pass your bag to the nearest passenger, and proceed to enter the train in "an nonconventional way!"
It's best to go ahead and sit, because the next seatless passenger will be along shortly looking for a seat!
I've said it before, but there truly is no place on earth like India! And the train experience is no exception! So, next time you are in India, check it out! It may not be the most glamorous experience, but it offers a cultural experience that is second to none! And if you play your cards right, you might just find yourself riding shotgun on the likes of this.... all aboard!
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