My First Train Ride
Last week I went to Kathgodam which is about 398 km from Lucknow. It took me 8 hours to get there by train. Now, there is something you should to know about booking your train ticket. I purchased my ticket 2 day before my travels. However, I was not guaranteed a berth on the Train. I was on the waiting list. I need 65 people to cancel their reservation. If you want a seat, buy and reserve your berth before 90 days. Trains do fill up very quickly, however Indian Railways will over sell tickets just in case someone cancels their reservation and then the next person on the waiting list gets on the train. The final list is prepared 4 hours before the Train departs. So I was on the waiting list and I was so desperate to travel. When I checked the Internet as the final chart came out, I was still on the waiting list. So I got up, got my bag, made my way to the Train Station hoping something may come up, but nothing! There was no way I would get a reservation on the Train. The Train was delayed by 2 hours. At 2.30am she arrived and as the passengers were getting off and other finding their way in. I took courage and with a flicker of hope I approached the Train conductor. With the limited Hindi I had I shared that I really need to get on that Train. He looked at my ticket and told me to go to the last coach Sleeper 6. Oh boy I hurried just in case he changed his mind. I GOT IN THE TRAIN! Whoa!! PTL bro!!! So I sat by the door and after an hour the conductor was coming towards me. He was the last person I wanted to see. I was thinking maybe he changed his mind and wants me to get off or was looking for some financial help and stuff, however, he told me to go to Sleeper 5 and there is a bed for me. I was so stoked, and I said to myself God is good. Coming back to Lucknow I was on the waiting list, however I got a seat because many travellers cancelled their booking. I was thinking if I fail to get a seat, I will do the same and ask the conductor. There are some good people in this world.
People sleeping as they wait for their trains.
15 useful tips for travelling in Indian Trains
- Always plan your trip and make your travelling fun
- Book your tickets well before time - 90 to 60 days are safe period
- Be aware that there are seat allocated for tourist - so take your passport
- You can buy seats allocated for emergency, ticket sale begins from 10am on the day of travel but at the main railway station
- Check the website for the name of the train, train no, destination and time because you will save a lot of time at the counter. You have to have this information to purchase your ticket.
- Always carry your Photocopied ID or passport with you (You don't want to be running around looking for a place to Photocopy). Make many copies and store them
- It is very useful to have a Smartphone in India (fully charged before travelling)
- Know your station and the time to get off because there are no announcements and you can sleep through it (Use your phone alarm to wake you up)
- Always have enough credit in your cell phone so you can ring up and check your status if you don't have access to Internet
- Have a Data package too so you can use data for roaming because your Sim card may not work in different states. It is not very expensive and you can update your status for security reasons. You can also check the website where your train is at present.
- Have small change because you can buy cup of tea and food during train stops. People will come inside so you can have breakfast in bed [lol]. They won't come through private compartments.
- Be flexible and patience because train services can be late.
- Always look after your luggage
- Bring your own toilet paper, most train have long drops and water is available for your hygiene.
- You can buy train tickets on Government sponsored website but sometimes it can be confusing
Found this video on YouTube and thought to share with you. I found it so funny but very innovative I must say ... no need for electricity
My Top 10 Free Mobile Apps at the moment as a traveller
1. Google maps app
2. Google Translator app (English to Hindi to English)
3. Advance Task Manager – kills other running apps to save battery since most train travels for long
distance. There are few power sockets available for many passengers.
10. Having a Safe Travel Apps from your Foreign Embassy [if they have one] for risk management (Some do while others will sent email when you register with them)
4. Viper App – free texting to other mobile phones who has viper app
5. Skype – Again free service to any Cell phone or landline around the world who has Skype
6. Tango App – Same as Viper and Skype but Tango has video, unlike Viper and Skype [phone app]
Use this to see your loved ones back home
7. Temple Run 2 – if you got kids, Temple Run 2 will keep them occupied
8. Anti-virus for your phone – keep the baddies away
9. Micro blogging sites like twitter and Facebook to give real time updates about your whereabouts
so your followers are not worried so much about your safety and wellbeing
The Good Shepherd Agricultural Mission (GSAM)
I went to visit my friends at The Good Shepherd Agricultural Mission, a Christian mission who looks after Orphanages and run a Maxton Strong School in the community. Rick Shipway was one of my lecturers and care group leader while I was studying in Australia. His son Clifton was a teenager than but now they are both looking after this amazing home for just on 100 children located just 1 km from the town. Visitors are welcome but must obtain permission prior to visiting via their website. The GSAM is situated on the border of the jungle and has been registered and running since 1948. You can check their website: Good Shepherd Agricultural Mission
It was really great to see those kids, they were very friendly and helpful. What is so great about this is that they have a chance at life. They have a chance to know that SOMEONE above is looking out for them. There are some photos ... it will take some time to load. If you don't have adobe player download the latest version.
Maxton Strong School
As you have seen GSAM are building a school for the community. They have plans to build a vocational training school for the community. I was deeply impressed with the progress. What a great opportunity for the community. I will post some pictures later when it opens in July 2013. This is amazing stuff and these guys are like the closet family I have here in India.
Lucknow
The heat is becoming unbearable. Temperature highest recorded so far was 44 degrees Celsius. Now starts the monsoon period which means rain, rain, and lots of rain. It rained yesterday and the path to my house was flooded. I had to find another route to get home. I would have wade myself through the water but it is not highly recommended because the rain has cleaned the streets of all human and animal faeces and urine and now it is very toxic.
Last Sunday I was walking in the main street, a guy came to me offering to clean my ears. I declined and he was very persistent. He followed me for 50m but I kept on walking.
When I was in Kathgodam, I had to go to a Christian Ashram in Nainital to get some information. I read on the website that a Taxi will charge 500 rupees. So as I approached the Taxi stand a taxi driver asked me where would I like to go, I said Christian Ashram, how much will it cost, he replied 700 rupees! I said I was told it was less than that. Another taxi driver said 600 rupees, than another one said 500 rupees, and than the first driver said he does have AC in his car. I choose to go with the guy who offered 500 rupees.
Language Study
My language Study is going well. It is boring but getting there. I want to learn written and oral Hindi. I deliberately trying to spend an hour speaking with people.
Lamb Roast
I nearly forgot, when I went to Banbasa to visit my friends at GSMA, my Friend's wife made roast for me. It was very satisfying. I enjoyed it very much. I have met very kind people recently, even when I went to book my railway ticket, I asked a guy who was waiting in the queue, he told me what to do and even people around me helped me fill the form. However, the Lamb Roast was the highlight for my journey.
Health
My Health is well, have to drink a lot of water. Washing my hands frequently.
Closing Remarks
Thank you for reading my blog. I am so happy we can journey together. I wish you well and have an amazing day filled with hope, joy and love. You can leave a comment if your want to, or email me. I love to hear from you all. Regards Ravi
