Trip to Mahavirji - 3: Train to Mahavirji

Nov 3, The worst thing I hate about journeys is the part of getting up early in the morning. I hadn't even recovered completely from tete-a-tete with glam doll Zeenat that I was woken up. Then started the flurry of activities with everybody pushing everybody else to finish the morning rituals in any order possible and get ready on time.

The Sumo arrived right on time which was good because we didn't want to be late for our train. We dumped all the bags in the back seat and stuffed our bodies in the front with kids seated on the elders' laps and I resting half of my butt on the door handle. When I coudn't take it anymore, I made room in the back with all the bags themselves and was able to stretch my legs in comfort. There is something about watching the road and slower vehicle getting left behind from the back window of a car and I relished the rare treat.

Hazrat Nizamuddin station near New Delhi
(http://wikimapia.org/112748/Hazrat-Nizamuddin-Rly-Station-NR)

We were right on time at Hazrat Nizamuddin station without battling much with the traffic. We started off the usual baragining duel with the coolies with both parties measuring and weighing each bag to fix an optimum price. When the coolies didn't budge, Sandeep jijaji threated to lift the bags himself in true saleman pitch and eventually all parties settled on a good price.

We were to take the 2060 Kota-Janshatabdi this time to Mahabirji from here. We had to wait for the one coming down because the same one would take us up there. However, the train got delayed by several hours. I didn't mind the delay as much as what the damage it's ripple effect did later on. More to come on that in the next entry.

A Coolie doing his routine
(http://www.indiamike.com/india/attachments/10274d1243669447-luggage-on-the-shatabdi-express-bag-snatcher.jpg)