I spent the last few days backpacking through northern India. I went along with two classmates, Caroline and Abby. It was an interesting trip and it had its up and downs. So much happened so I can’t possibly fit it into one post. I’ll break up the trip into pieces and I’ll post a new part of the trip over the next few days.
The Train Ride
We rushed out of kuchipudi dance class on Wednesday March 17 to catch a train to New Delhi. The train ride was 22 hours long and luckily we booked an AC sleeper car so it was a comfortable ride. The food was really yummy and we never were hungry. We were supplied pillows and blankets for the ride. It was an enjoyable ride even though it was so long. I spent most of it looking out the window and reading the book ‘The White Tiger’, which was recommended to me from a friend. It was a good choice since in the book, the main character was on his way to New Delhi, and so was I.
We shared a compartment with a man and his personal assistant. I’m just guessing that it was like that because the first man was dressed nicely and spoke clear English and talked very little to us. The second man did the tidying up after the first man, he wasn’t dressed as nice, and he didn’t speak good English. He was also more talkative with us and asked us questions. At the end of the ride he asked for our photos and took pictures of us on his phone. Most of the American students studying here are accustomed to being asked for a photo. Since I look like an Indian to most Indians, I’ve never been asked for a photo. It was my first time being asked for a photo and it felt weird. I’m also pretty sure that the only reason he took my photo was because I was with two girls that were white since he took my photo last.
By the time we arrived in New Delhi, it was almost noon the next day. We had no idea where we were and we felt disoriented since the station was so hectic. Like any traveler in India would know, there are always tons of auto rickshaw drivers at the train station trying to get your business. They always charge high prices since they know that we don’t know exactly where we are going. We got in an auto rickshaw and headed to Parharganj, a place where all the back packers go because the hotels are cheap and it’s located at a good distance to everywhere tourists usually go to.
More coming soon…
