Our experiences on the train had been quite interesting and exciting so far.
On our train ride from Goa - Mumbai, we shared the common space with 2 locals in suits and ties. They probably had a long day and was clearly not interested to talk to us. Barely 30mins after we got on the train, everyone wants to sleep. It was only 9.30pm!
The train was a little dirtier than the previous two we took. There were mini cockroaches crawling about! One even crawled onto my arms and Jeff was impressed at how calm I was..That's how much I've prepared myself for the trip. Throughout the night, Jeff killed another 3 while I killed 1 more too. Worried that the mini roaches will make their way into my ears while I am asleep, I stuck tissue paper into my ear and told myself that my mouth has to remain shut subconsciously. That night, I had sleepless night....
The 17 hour train ride from Mumbai - Udaipur reminded us of home. Thinking that we could escape the topic of having children while on the trip, we were reminded and highlighted by the locals! Being the foreigners, friendly locals who could/could not speak English would usually like to chat with us. Find out what where we are heading, how long in India, how old we are, have children, our work back home etc etc.
On our train ride from Goa - Mumbai, we shared the common space with 2 locals in suits and ties. They probably had a long day and was clearly not interested to talk to us. Barely 30mins after we got on the train, everyone wants to sleep. It was only 9.30pm!
The train was a little dirtier than the previous two we took. There were mini cockroaches crawling about! One even crawled onto my arms and Jeff was impressed at how calm I was..That's how much I've prepared myself for the trip. Throughout the night, Jeff killed another 3 while I killed 1 more too. Worried that the mini roaches will make their way into my ears while I am asleep, I stuck tissue paper into my ear and told myself that my mouth has to remain shut subconsciously. That night, I had sleepless night....
The 17 hour train ride from Mumbai - Udaipur reminded us of home. Thinking that we could escape the topic of having children while on the trip, we were reminded and highlighted by the locals! Being the foreigners, friendly locals who could/could not speak English would usually like to chat with us. Find out what where we are heading, how long in India, how old we are, have children, our work back home etc etc.
We met Gulrezbhai, who owns a business in wedding planning/organisation, invited us to Surat to have a 2nd wedding - Indian Style. He said that Jeff has made a mistake and should marry an Indian wife instead. In India, bride's family gives dowry and pays for the wedding so Jeff would have earn it if he had married an Indian lady! haha...He was pretty humurous and we had a good laugh. Then he went on to asked why "No Children?" as he's 42 and daughter is already 22! The funny thing was that as the train pulled into the next station, a lady with a sweet 2-year old daughter boarded the train and subsequently, another lady with an adorable 3-year old boy got on and shared the common area with us. Gulrezbhai said that it's God sign and we should give good news to our parents when we head home after 6 months. hahaha...We had such a good laugh and a good time understanding each others' culture and helpfully sharing with us on the beautiful places to visit up in the mountains before he got off 3 hours later.
The rest of the journey was spent with the sweet little gal (who kept calling out the window for her Daddy who did not get on the train) and the really adorable boy who read in English. Both mummies kept offering us different indian food/snacks that they have packed for dinner. In return, we offered them chen pi mei (preserved mandarin orange peels) and they liked it! hehe.
More photos of our train ride below..
The rest of the journey was spent with the sweet little gal (who kept calling out the window for her Daddy who did not get on the train) and the really adorable boy who read in English. Both mummies kept offering us different indian food/snacks that they have packed for dinner. In return, we offered them chen pi mei (preserved mandarin orange peels) and they liked it! hehe.
More photos of our train ride below..
This is Gulrezbhai!
The sweet little gal who kept calling out Daddy. It was hilariously!
The ah Boy who posed for me with cheeky face!
Showing them cartoons so they would not be bored..kids - short attention span.
I am thoroughly impressed with how you did not scream at the mini cockroaches. Now, that's one thing I can't tolerate! *shivers*
ReplyDeleteU know what...u could name your journal "2 Chinese in a crowded train"..anw....it is when you interact that u learn,and when you listen that you appreciate...india..incredible india!!!luv the tag line,definitely better than Your Singapore...way way better!!! Yours truly BOB
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