Jan 02, 2007 20:42
We are in India where two hours really means 4 hours. Our bus trip from Delhi was to take 4-5 hours with a stop for lunch... we left at 8:30 AM and arrived at 6:00 PM... a very long 4-5 hours. One must have complete trust in the bus drive to travel in India as he weaves around bicycles, motorcycles, carts, pedestrians, all oblivious to a large bus barreling down a one lane road with a duplicate buss careening toward you. The one who honks first has the right of way... sort of... with both buses hugging the edge of the pavement as they pass by with inches to spare.
You honk to pass anything on the road... you honk to establish road rights... you honk for the fun of it (it seems). You are suddenly jerked from your slumber as half the passengers gasp as the driver just misses a head on collision while passing a slow moving truck with bullock butts hanging out the back.
I pity those with weak hearts.
The road from Jaipur to Agra took longer... we arrive after dark, which lead to an adventure of every vehicle flashing their bright lights to establish their dominance.
Train travel is less harrowing... and the train from Agra to Janshi by 2nd class air-conditioned gave us time to get our heart rates back to normal... however getting on the train and waiting for the train... well the 8:00 AM train came at 10:00 AM. The fog was thick and everyone shivered as we huddled on the platform surrounded by beggars and gawkers. Everyone kept their hands on their wallets to make sure they stayed in their pockets. As the train approached the surge of humanity tried to enter by the same door. The group checked their luggage, but the rest of India didn't... It was fun, to say the least, to step over suitcases blocking the door as you made your own entry on the train. Maria and I sat across an Indian couple married a month ago on their way to Bophal to visit relatives.
Getting off the train was the reverse of getting on, no problem... except 11 pieces of luggage was left in Agra for the next train... no problem... it will catch up... it did, only because it took 3 hours NOT to get to a designated lunch stop and we had to return to the town to find another place.
The bus ride... again we arrive late after an adventurous, cardiac provoking trip.
Today, we are off by plane to Varanasi.