Train journey tips

Train Journey tips for a person who hasn't done long distance train journy before :-)

Well I am really glad that Manasi is coming to Hyderabad by train..That too all alone..

So here comes her train journey tips from a train journey expert :-)

Before that let me tell you three hostel friends are awaiting to have a rocking 

get together at Hyderabad..To spend great time together like we used to do during our trips and treks in college days.Manasi,Sonali and I.Having chatter box like Manasi and somewhat silent Sonali around would be real fun..

So once again continuing with my train journey tips for Manasi...

Check list for great journey..

1) Most important is to have train ticket,money and ID card (Provided it's E-Ticket) in place 

Caution: if ticket or ID is not in place you may end up paying fine.Money I am damn sure you will keep properly. Ideally keep two purses with you.If in case you lost one other one is in tact.Keep ATM debit card and credit cards properly.Generally nothing happens ...but prevention is better than cure..so these tips

2) Second thing..get one bed sheet and one shawl if you are travelling by sleeper class.If you can get a pillow to be blown up like a balloon..nothing like it. It's not needed if you are travelling by AC coach.But let me tell you ,the people who likes to speak a lot should travel by sleeper.you will meet many interesting people.To tell our experience: Manasi,Sonali and I had a great one night train journey in Ladies compartment of Maharashtra express while travelling to Bhusaval for Marraiage of Varsha's Sis.Amidst the crowded compartemnt we met one muslim aaji who spoke on necessity of education for muslim girls..later we played Antakshari with her till 1 am at night.I still remember she had sung the song'tere mere milan ki ye raina' 2-3 times.Hmm..she had lost her husband..so we could understand her feelings. 

3) Other stuffs needed..If u get good company to chat..no need of iPod.But if not,you better keep it with you.

 And moreover if u dont get sleep at night just put ear plugs in ur ear and enjoy.....

   

4) Station is going to come early in the morning? Put an alram to wake up..Want to know which station coming next after this station and what time?Go to Indianrail.gov.in and take the print out of all the stations u r going to come across.Just a curiosity..but good time pass..

5) If a person is a bibliophile like me ..it's great time to unwind and be lost in charming world of books..but if u r nt such person..doesnt matter.More or less we are all nature lovers to some extent..so you can stand in the door of the train (be careful..jast uchapatya..agaupana nahi) and look outside..train passing thru fields.. mountains..may be a beautiful sunset and a sun rise..lose urself looking outside..

6) Take care of ur luggage and keep ur small sack just beside u on the bed leaning against the wall of the compartment..have a sound bt careful sleep.

7) Have some fruits,snacks with you to eat.Don't take chances of having food in the train.Those who eat to fill the stomach would eat that food..and the others who have somewhat 'nakhara' for the taste of the food..would just waste the food..

      

So these are all ingredients to have wonderful train journey.. 

Have nice train journeys.. :-)   

My ultimate train journeys

Train Journey..

Since I shifted to Mysore there is considerable rise in my train journeys.Kya kare..in the age of recession I can not afford Air journey..And ultimately it's my love for train journeys that draws me towards booking train tickets.Now a days it has become increasingly difficult to get confirmed tickets.Travelling so far all the way from Mysore to somewhere in Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh is really a long way journey..So not having confirmed ticket always bothers me.

I was very much looking forward to Swara's naming ceremony in the month of July.So I booked the tickets of Sampark Kranti a month ago..Unfortunately it was on waiting list 4..I thought it would get clear in one month's time..A ray of hope had flashed in my mind..I was under a strong notion that it would get confirmed somehow..

Alas! just two days to go and I came to know its still on waitlist..again at the last moment the only option in front of me was to go by flight which i was least inclined to do..then as usual my travel guide, My father asked me to try several options..I tried to get the ticket from Hyderabad..ticket from Pune..ticket from Nanded..

Ultimately I got a seat in Navajivan Express from Chennai.That too at 7 o'clk in the evening..that means a delay of almost 18 hrs to reach my beloved home..It happens..I consoled myself somehow..

But still I tried to take a chance and went to Yesvantpur railway station to get the seats

A ray of hope doesnt let u be at ease..I left Mysore at 5 pm..and reached Bangalore at 9 pm.

Bt again my bad luck..the train was full.. TC was nt ready to give me 

the seat even after a long conversation..hmm..bechari main..station to chhodana pada..bt nt by train

But by an auto heading towards Sonali's PG. Next day again my journey towards chennai started(by bus)and I reached Chennai well bfore the train's timings.Spent 2 hours at Chennai Railway station..a great grand old heritage building And ultimately reached my destination i.e.Nagpur by train.

Not getting confirmed tickets has became usual thing for me now..In diwali I had planned to go to Raigarhh Chhattisgarh at my bro's place.but again no direct train to Raigarh..so decided to do break journey.Booked the ticket of Sampark Kranti upto Nagpur which was confirmed and then from Nagpur I booked 2 tickets

The first one was on same day but diff between 2 train timings was just one and half hrs And again it was on waitlist no 2.The other one was next day morning which I got confirmed ticket fortunately.    

My journey towards Nagpur was good.surprisingly train reached Nagpur before time

and i was happy that i can catch the subsequent train..Again my bad luck ...i was still on wait list No 1

It was Diwali season so even RAC I cudnt get.. :(  My cousin had come to raliway station to meet me 

So ultimately I went to my Mausi's home..spent one night there and left Nagpur next day..

I just consoled myself that I cud meet Mavashi and Kaka and could spend some time with them

My misfortune with train did not stop at this point..while coming back I had booked the ticket from Champa 

which is at distance of 1 hr from Raigarh..It was direct train Corba- Yesvantpur..So Champa was the nearest station where I cud have reached  at 8:30 am comfortably.Earlier it was decided that Dada would drop me to Champa by his car..but somehow we came to know that the road is too bad to go by car..So ultimately we all took daily plying train between Raigarh and Champa..which leaves Raigarh at 6:30 am and reaches Champa by 8 am..

So margin was just half an hour..Misfortune struck again..There was some problem with railway track and my train just stopped in between for half an hour..Again our discussion went ahead with cancelling the reservation of that train Booking another flight ticket from Raipur..Oh God..But my mother always says assuring things which gives comfort.She said dont worry u'll get the train it would come late to Champa.Our train was about to enter Champa at around 8:30 am And we saw another train running parallel to our track..Baba said it's the same train that I have to board..So we all were praying that our train should get the signal first to enter the station..and same thing happened..my train enetered the station first and Corba - Yesvantpur had to stop for a signal..

Husshh..Fortunately I got the train..and reached Yesvantpur..!!!

Even after all this I enjoy train journeys..

Peeping out at lush green outfields..

Brushing the face against fresh breeze..

Looking at varied colors of nature..

Train Journeys are the Best...!!!