long train to hyderabad
India has a great rail system. Trains run everywhere, and everyone uses them. It’s a great way to travel, meet new people, and see the country. (that’s my India Rail Promo pitch) I’m sure everyone who is from India is thinking, “What’s the big deal? He’s taking the train. So what?” But for someone from the USA, and California especially, taking an overnight train, or any train farther than a commute for that matter is a pretty out of the ordinary deal.
My train karma was so good on this India trip. I took three long distance sleeper (overnight) trains and each was a great experience. I rode “3-tier AC” (my favorite), which for the uninitiated means, tri level bunks in an air-conditioned rail car. It’s a totally styling way to go. On my trip from Aurangabad to Hyderabad (13 hours) I shared the train car with about 3 families and some business students. In the berths next to me was a family from Tirupati with two girls who wouldn’t leave me alone for the whole ride.
The whole family was awesome, and they made me play board games, sing songs, eat with them, tell stories. They made me do well, what any South Indian family on a train would do to pass the time, namely converse, entertain each other, and have fun. They made it feel like I was in their living room on a Sunday at home.
I was on the way to Hyderabad, and they were traveling on to their home in Tirupati. There was a little boy of the family who had a shaved head, I wish I’d gotten a pic of him, but I missed. The girls, as you can see have short bobs. They were a pretty devout family. Now if you are not from India, you probably have never heard of Tirupati. It is said to be the richest temple in the world, and to bring in religious revenues second only to the Vatican. One of the traditions at Tirupati is for people to have their heads shaved. The girls said they have done it six times.
OMG they were so much fun.
My favorite thing is to stand at the passage way between train cars, open the outside doors, and watch India go by.
People ask me, “Why do you want to go to India?” Well look! It’s because India is the world’s biggest pajama party, that’s why!
My train karma was so good on this India trip. I took three long distance sleeper (overnight) trains and each was a great experience. I rode “3-tier AC” (my favorite), which for the uninitiated means, tri level bunks in an air-conditioned rail car. It’s a totally styling way to go. On my trip from Aurangabad to Hyderabad (13 hours) I shared the train car with about 3 families and some business students. In the berths next to me was a family from Tirupati with two girls who wouldn’t leave me alone for the whole ride.
The whole family was awesome, and they made me play board games, sing songs, eat with them, tell stories. They made me do well, what any South Indian family on a train would do to pass the time, namely converse, entertain each other, and have fun. They made it feel like I was in their living room on a Sunday at home.
I was on the way to Hyderabad, and they were traveling on to their home in Tirupati. There was a little boy of the family who had a shaved head, I wish I’d gotten a pic of him, but I missed. The girls, as you can see have short bobs. They were a pretty devout family. Now if you are not from India, you probably have never heard of Tirupati. It is said to be the richest temple in the world, and to bring in religious revenues second only to the Vatican. One of the traditions at Tirupati is for people to have their heads shaved. The girls said they have done it six times.
OMG they were so much fun.
My favorite thing is to stand at the passage way between train cars, open the outside doors, and watch India go by.
People ask me, “Why do you want to go to India?” Well look! It’s because India is the world’s biggest pajama party, that’s why!