So we have successfully traveled by train from Delhi to Chennai and it was quite an experience. Before we left, we went back to the Village of Hope one last time to say goodbye. They had planned a little farewell that consisted of each of the staff telling us what they appreciated about us and our service for the past two weeks. It was also a chance for us to build them up and encourage them in this work that they have devoted themselves to. I, of course, started crying and couldn't finish what I was trying to say. I don't think I used to do that before meeting JVR, but I'm not sure.
When we got to the train station, it was raining and we had no idea where to go or what to do. And we had way too many bags and such because of the stuff we are bringing back from the Village to sell in the US. Brad kept showing people our tickets and asking where to go. He received many different answers and we just went with the one he got the most. I guess it was right because we did indeed end up back at Vikram's house.
Now we were in the a/c 2nd class which means that it was an air conditioned car with beds stacked 2 high. The bottom beds could convert to seats during the day. Now on one side of the train, there was the traditional little rooms you see in the movies where 2 bench seats are facing each other. We were not in that part. On the other side of the little hallway there were beds (berths) turned sideways and running the length of the train. That's where we were. Much less space. Joe and I were sitting facing one another in an area about 6 ft by 2.5 ft. Brad somehow managed to have his little berth to himself, so we were able to take turns having slightly more space.
Now the difference between a/c 1st class and a/c 2nd class, so they tell me, is that in 1st each area is enclosed while in 2nd they are separated only by curtain. And curtains don't keep out noise. Joe and I were across from a baby who may have been the loudest baby ever. That baby was loud when happy and loud when upset. It had the most piercing little voice that it used all night long. Now this child's parents did not seem to care or have any control over the child's volume. (By the way, I'm guessing this kid was like 1 ½ years old.) The one thing they had that seemed to quiet the child was an extremely loud toy. Even Joe, cool, even-tempered Joe, was getting quite agitated after a while. (And, yes Ronnie, I was reminded of April.)
But we all slept and got to see some of the Indian countryside. The food was pretty good and there was plenty of time to read and listen to music and such. I, being the sickly one, have contracted some sort of sinus infection and that made the train ride that much more enjoyable :-).
We are counting down the days now (we leave in 4, back in 5) and are very excited about getting back to Texas and seeing everyone. We just have a couple of visits left to make and our volunteering days seem to be finished.
Speaking of finished, I finished Lonesome Dove and it was SOOOO depressing. I liked the first half and then read the second half out of pure stubbornness, but I cannot recommend it. Maybe it's just realistic for that time period, but if so, I'm that much more thankful to live in THIS time period. Anyway, I feel like I could have got the point in less than 945 pages. Oh well.
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6 comments:
You must have been especially fond of this post to post it twice! hee hee
I can relate. I once had to ride a bus through the mountains of Mexico sitting back to back in the isle floor with my Dad, while surrounded by boxed chickens, etc. Mexican buses have the rather unpleasant habit of selling more tickets than seats. :(
Yeah. Not sure how I did that. But I did figure out how to fix it :-)
So did your bus trip make you more or less fond of live chickens?
Hey Brandon, I just wanted to let you know that I was riding in my car today and was listening to the Focus worship cd and heard our voice on the "Psalm" track and realized how much I missed you. I hope you are having a good time there and are feeling great, and I can't wait till you guys get home!
I can't say for sure..cause and effect can be an illusive pair at times. I do know that I am very fond of eating them to this day - not live ones, of course..
As you can tell, I enjoy reading all your posts. See you soon.
Ah, I do remember little April well. For those reading comments, April was a little girl who was on a 22-hour (it was 22 hours each way and I got to ride both with her), bus trip I went on. She had a very, very bad cold with very, very green thick ooze running from her little nose. This did not seem to bother her parents at all. She also wore very stinky diapers at times which also did not seem to bother her parents. Now I love kids and it wasn't little April's fault at all. However, when Tana suggested April as a girl's name for our first, I had an anxiety attack. So, Brandon you could have been named April. I guess you didn't find out the loud's child's name so you could avoid it did you? And, hey, hurry home as we miss you a ton!
Yeah, I'm not proud to say it, but I miss you too.
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