Take the train through India

“The enormity of being solo in India suddenly hit me. Boarding the seemingly endless train, I embarked on a quest to find my first-class cabin. I've got to admit, I'm not sure what I was expecting for the cabins but they were actually pretty nice. This cozy haven, complete with a bunk bed and a tiny staircase, exceeded my very basic expectations. I was the first to arrive in my 4-person cabin so I made myself comfortable and made my way up the tiny staircase that led to my upper bunk. The staff soon arrived with bedding – a single pillow, a towel (a pleasant surprise), sheets, and blankets. Not bad at all! Two fellow passengers, an Englishman and an Indian man, joined me shortly after. Both were in their 20s and spoke good English so it wasn’t long before we started chatting and breaking the ice [...] After a strategic bathroom break (basic but at least the toilet functioned and was reasonably clean for a train washroom), I returned to find the cabin lights out. I scrolled on my phone for a bit to the rhythmic movement of the train as it sped towards Agra and drifted off to sleep. To my surprise, I slept soundly for several hours.”

“When the train arrives, the Indians threw themselves on the train still running and jump into cars to have a seat. At first, the scene makes me anxious and I freaked at the idea of my Ninja turtle: I see myself jumping into the fray and badly upset people with my backpack. But we are in the second class reserved cabin [...] During the journey, the car doors remain open. You can smoke but someone swinging. Quiet. The air conditioning was set to « freezing cold ». I refrigerated the day in a country with 45 degrees. I slept so badly that I marmot of the Alps, at 6:30 in the mornin' I was right as I. Or rather sitting on my bunk. And I was not the only one.”