The first impression of the train is immediately very strong and make us shiver, we enter without knowing exactly where to go, we are in front of a long hallway and various accesses to the compartments without doors, each of which has two low benches, two high and two half tall bunks that are currently closed. Also in the hallway there are low benches and tall bunks all in a row, so the transit space is very narrow, we struggle to get through. On top of the ceiling, all in a row, a series of rusty fans, decorated with some co
bwebs. The train is full of people and we are the only non-Indians. I walk in the front, Marti behind tells me that her legs tremble. We continue walking, making space little by little between curious and astonished looks. I try to ask information about the direction of the train and the place to occupy, and surprising me my interlocutor is really courtesy and helpful, we are on the right carriage, found a free berth we settle the backpacks and sit there. These are the first impressions we had in the first train, taken about a month ago, which took us, in two hours, to the first stage in our trip into the World. Today we arrived in Varanasi starting from New Delhi after seventeen hours of train. During these thirty-five days of travel we did a lot of bones through many miles on night trains and buses with bunk (much more comfortable, but also more expensive) that allowed us to cross the whole country from south to north. We have always traveled in worst classes, strictly air-conditioned, without ever meeting people who were not Indian. We got mixed together, we tried to interact and we did. We often have seen so much humanity, a simplicity in being always available and helpful, and awesome sincerity in giving free real smiles.
I believe that the moves have not only been an integral but essential part of this journey. A little note if i could say it, about the cleaning of these trains and buses, which certainly can not be considered a strong point! But this, moreover, is a feature that reflects most of the country, so somehow you have to accept it. I also want to point out that despite the great beauty, intensity and energy they transmit, these journeys inside the trip are devastating. As far as buses are concerned, they are moving on considerably disruptive roads. Forget about our motorways, then sleeping serenely as in a ‘zumba’ lesson due to continuous holes, bumps or other obstacles is not so simple. If it is added that at least once every hour is due to a ‘bath stop’ for one of the drivers and / or passengers, a ‘non sleeping’night is for sure. The train, however, flows smoothly on its linear rails, but it also stops very often, and every stop, any time of the day or night believe me, there are at least a dozen street vendors. Enter the train while it still going, and announcing loudly the coming of Chai (Indian tea served with milk and various spices) and food of all kinds, so long as all is always spicy. So if at one, three or five o’clock in the morning you have been miraculously asleep, you w
ill not pass more than an hour in a row without a chorus of chanting voices that wake you up saying Chai Chai Chaiiiiii!!!! All of this to say, that the day after these marathons on wheels or rails, we almost always take it to recovery.So we did yesterday, here in Varanasi. After a good month spent in India around indians, we did not think we could be surprised again by some new city. Varanasi has shocked our expected .. We’ll spend here our last days in India, from here we’ll take a bus that will take us to cross the first border over land. Nepal is waiting for us! Don’t stop following our moves and never never stop to follow your dreams.