India – Train from Ahmedabad to Jaipur

All aboard! I boarded the train to Jaipur and we started rolling right on time. My train originated in Ahmedabad so it was stationary for 1/2 hour before taking off. That time was a blessing as it gave me time to untangle the chaos and locate my car.

First food service started 5 minutes into the journey and the first station stop happened in 10 minutes. That station was completely different from the Ahmedabad Junction station. Where the Ahmedabad station was chaos this station was downright peaceful. On the other hand we stopped there for around 60 seconds so if you didn’t know what to expect and what to do about it you’d be in trouble.

I’ve got no cabin mates. I don’t know if I’m happy or disappointed but I’m going to go with happy. The cabin is quite a bit roomier than the ones on our Russian trains. In some ways it’s more modern and nicer but it suffers from being a bit sterile. Hmm, I’m pretty sure that’s the only time I’m ever going to use “sterile” to describe anything, anything at all in India.

For better or worse I didn’t speak with or hardly see any of my fellow passengers on the train. The vibe here is less homey than in Russia. The Russian trains had funky samovars with free flowing hot water in every car and dining cars that served as little social centers. On this train food is brought to each individual cabin. The evening meal consisted of 4 or 5 small courses, all Indian. Each course was served with napkins imprinted with the slogan “don’t tip on the train”. After the serving was complete the waiter entered the cabin and wouldn’t leave without a tip. I suspect Vishu could have gotten rid of him but I relented, passed him 10 rupees and he disappeared never to be seen again.

My cabin is equipped with four bunks that double as chairs until bedtime. You get a couple sheets, blanket and a pillow which you just spread out and crawl in when you’re ready to sleep. I slept well but for reasons I couldn’t identify the rocking and rolling wasn’t as soothing as the Russian trains. Could e the bed, or maybe the track gauge or the cars suspension. Here’s a shot of my half of the cabin.