Jaipur to Mumbai

27.09.11

This morning was eventful! The price we were quoted for the taxi was again too much so we started looking at trains around Rajasthan, it looked like we couldn't get out of Jaipar for a few days. So we decided we would take Martin's friend John, up on his offer and head to Mumbai then Pune. We found a train online and thought we'd better call John to check

before we booked. 2 minutes later, we could nolonger book the train. So we headed to the train station and again booking had stopped 4 hours before the train was due to leave. We were told that we could go an hour before and try and get a

ticket an hour before.

With much dilemma this is what we did and we got on the train at 2 o'clock. we had Ac2 sleeper which was much more spacious,with only 2 bunks, 6 bunks in a carriage. We saw any unexpected sights as we travelled, from warthogs snuffling around on station platforms, people casually crossing the tracks. It was very noisy on the train, from the rumble of the train on the

the tracks, the horn sounding frquently, people snoring gently and vendors calling out their wares. In our carriage there was a really friendly the couple. They spoke to us about their lives and life in India, telling is about their daughter's 5 day wedding with 3,000 guests! They also helped explain what was going on on the train and ordered us a meal.

Unfortunately when our meal came most of it was inedible! When the couple saw us struggling they were insistent that we share their meal. They explained that they deliberately brought more food when on a journey so they could share it. It was delicious, they had made fresh roti and aloo gobhi, which was so tasty.

Soon it was time to make up our beds, stretch out and go to sleep. We were not due in to Mumbai until 8 am.

Having met this couple and a old man on the train. It made me think about the first impressions I had had of many of the Indians I have met. Typically people have not seen very open, friendly or smiley on first impressions. It's common not to be greeted automatically. People can also come across quite abrupt and stern in their manner. We have not heard one person apologise if they bump in to you or say excuse me. It is also not considered rude to stare which can be

a bit disconcerting! We have also had many people ask to have their pictures taken with us!