I traveled on the rather exotically named Mumbai Rajdhani Express. It was quite a nice experience. The station, of course, was heaving mass of people - but once I figured out the platform it was all straightforward enough - there was a list of reservations for the train showing each passengers name and which compartment and carriage they were in. The train left exactly on time. Apparently the express trains at least have a good reputation for punctuality.
Everything was quite comfortable, we were fed and evening meal, and then breakfast the next morning. The big choice here seems to be Veg or Non Veg - for airlines, trains whatever. I have been sticking with the Veg choice and it has all been quite nice. Some of the Non-Veg looks a bit dicey! Here is me enjoying the delights of Indian Railway cuisine.
Delhi train station was a bit of a rude awakening this morning. Everyone warns you about the tricksters who try and hijack you on the way to your hotel, and sure enough they were in force and quite persistant too. You end up almost being rude to all these folks that are ostensibly trying to help you, but really all they want to do is redirect you to the travel agencies or hotels that they are in cahoots with. Its a shame that you have to run the gauntlet of these folks, but I suppose everyone has to make a living where they can.
The driving over here is amazing - kind of free form, with lots of use of the horn and scant attention to many of the normal conventions. Basically, if there is room to fit your car in with say an inch on either side, then they go for it. No one gets too excited however, and I have never seen any actual contact between vehicles. Everyone is constantly mindful of what is going on all around them and when necessary they take the appropriate just-in-time evasive action.
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