The man at the ticket counter wasn't very helpful. The key information was left out of our conversation. When he pointed to the number WL156 I asked, "This seat number?" He nodded and I left. There was a very helpful gentleman who had guided me to the correct line who now helped again.
"Ah, you are on waitlist. See? 1-5-6. That is your number."
"Oh?"
"Come one hour before train. Line 6."
"And I can see where I am on the waitlist?"
"Yes....I have taxi, going to hotel now?"
I arrived at the Agra Cantt station an hour and 15 minutes early. I'm not sure what happened but from my perspective I stood in line, had numbers written on my wait list ticket, was pointed out the door, went out the door, became confused, found the tourist info booth, practiced my Hindi (so far just one word: namaste), was walked around by a policeman to another office, then back to the tourist info booth, then pointed to platform "two or three." I went to platform three, read that my train would be at platform two, went there, and waited.
When the train came, I asked a couple of men where I should go and they suggested just hopping on the train and dealing with it when the conductor came. I did that. On the train though, I did not know where to go. I started walking in one direction but was blocked by the kitchen. The cooks spoke little English and my "namaste" wasn't getting the information I needed. After handing them my ticket and watching them pass it around and laugh, the nearest one handed my waitlist ticket back and pointed behind me.
"Six."
"Six?"
"Next compartment."
"So, this one?" I said indicating the one outside the kitchen. His finger spoke for him, it would be one more away. I went there.
Where does one sit when in a sleeper car with no designated seat? Handing people my ticket seemed to work so I tried it again on a woman who then told me to sit right across from her.
Soon a little crowd of a dozen or so Indians came 'round. I am not sure why there were no other non-Indians on the train (really, when we took a rest stop, only Indians got out, but maybe that is because the people in the air conditioned seats were content to stay put) but it made me somewhat the token white kid. The pointed to things hanging from my bag and asked me to explain. Hand sanitizer, lip balm, watch, compass. What country am I from? What is my job? Am I married? How much money do I make per month (they didn't seem impressed)? Am I traveling alone? Why did I choose India? Am I afraid? They wanted to see US money so I showed them the single dollar I had. One man bought it off me, I gave him a good deal.
Eyes grew the biggest when I told them I lived one hour by car North of Hollywood.
"How many kilometers?"
"Are you a superstar?"
"Do you know heroes? Brad Pitt..."
I decided not to tell them Hollywood isn't much more than a relic now.
Now I am in Chandigarh. The two cheapest hotels that are recommended in Lonely Planet are full. I'm not worried about it. Tomorrow I am planning on seeing the Indians take on the Aussies in cricket. I do not know what I will do after that.
I am sure something will turn up.
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