So Much to Remember on an Indian Train Journey!

30. Jul, 2009 1 Comment

train-inside2 This is the life, this is India. You’ve never lived till you’ve travelled by train especially second class. I’m not brave enough to try third class, thats where they hang out the windows in their droves.

Lying back listening to the rhythm of the wheels on the track as the train moves through the night can easily put you to sleep. I always feel the train is talking to me. You know reliving the day, perhaps helping me to pray, pray the things I don’t want to say. Anyway, here’s what I was hearing…..

Had a good flight

Had a good flight

Had a good flight

Had a good sleep

Y

W

C

A

Clean

Cheerful

And Cheap

Nippy, nippy,nippy

Wrong solution in the eye

Make you wanna cry

Cry cry cry

You’ve got a red eye – sigh!

Things got better better better

Cashed your cheques

Got a good rate

Got a good lunch

Good choice

Marine Towers

Red eye still persists

Nurses in the party insists

Hospital added to the lists

Treated with the best of care

The eye’s ‘nay langer awe that sare”

Not a rupee was exchanged

Raj can’t believe the treatment free

And so a miracle is proclaimed

And as I linger with that thought…

porterThe tap came on the curtain. It was the first time I’ve had a curtain call at 4.30am in the morning.  But who’d  complain? It was the lovely  Martha, reminding me that we’d be in Dindigul shortly. The curtains are still drawn all around the carriage. I pull my things together, gather up the sheets, fold back the seats, its a passenger train again.

Oh I have to go to the loo. Now there’s a journey worth taking. Simple, but effective. Simply a hole in the floor of the train. Not just an ordinary hole, an nicely cut round one, with foot prints marked on the footplate to let you know where to stand or crouch. Yes I’d recommend this train trip to anyone.

The train stops –  bags are thrown out –  the porter takes them to the car. This is travel Indian style.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

One thing I’m always conscious of, how hard some people have to work for their living. I remember coming across a man breaking stones in Peru, with a towel over his head to protect him from the sun. the following year I saw a similar situation here in India.  When you look at the man in this picture  remind yourself that he earns very little, but his back will be worn out carry bundles and burdens from morning to night.

We may not carry heavy physical burdens but pray for those who do and ask God to bind up the wounds and hurts of those who have been overburdened with grief and pain today.

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One Response to “So Much to Remember on an Indian Train Journey!”

  1. Owen Griffiths 04. Aug, 2009 at 8:41 am

    Ah, the train. One of the many highlights of our trip last year. =]

    Have a great time in Dindigul. If you meet with Pastor Abraham and Danny, let them know that the India team from 2008 send their best wishes and prayers to everyone at Hepzibah!