Catching trains

This is a subject I'll probably have to talk about later on as there are probably tons of trains to catch. But for the moment...

So far, I haven't really had that much experiences with trains. Got a sleeper train to Ramnagar and the trains to Delhi and Agra. But it's very interesting how the atmosphere of the wagons change according to classes. Haven't been on a third class yet, and don't know if I'll get to that point, but you never know.

The train to Jaipur became a very interesting trip. It turned out that our seats weren't together. So I had to seat behind Dan and Charlotte, our backs facing each other. That didn't troubled me at all, but my seat was already occupied by a kid of a couple from Bangladesh. They kindly asked me if I could occupy the kids seats instead, which didn't bother me at all. So I ended up even farther away from my travelling companions and next to the parents of the kid.

While Dan and Charlotte had talks with a family sitting in front of them and an astrologer, I talked openly with the Bangladesh couple Roby and Muna. Their clothes and English distinguished them from the rest of the people surrounding us. They had been travelling around the world, where obviously she did most of the talking. Her English was far much better than his. They claimed to be in the show business and to have contacts in Bollywood. They even said to have as a guest at their place some famous Indian actor. At the end, we ended up exchanging cigarettes and peanuts, and they gave me their telephone number and home address if by chance I ended up in Bangladesh after India. And I must say that seemed like a very appealing offer. So you never know...

The thing is, that the ability to interact with people in India depends on your ability to be understood and their willingness to talk to you. One of the locals sitting in front of us was curious about me, but did not there to ask me questions. Instead he asked Roby. So language turns a barrier they don't dare surpass, staring at you all the time without saying a word. But between them, they talk freely in opened and friendly conversations. While in Europe interacting with other passengers might seem strange, and often misunderstood, in India is very common to see them interacting with each other, and if they can, with tourists.

As a first experience in train interacting, I think of it as very amusing and probably useful. What's for sure, is that it has to be repeated as Indians are generally very friendly and helpful, always ready to tell you which is your station, one of the main problems in getting public transport around here.