Bangalore... Again!

For my journey to Hampi last night I got to the train station half an hour early, found my train on the screen and went to the stated platform where there was a train waiting. It was 20 minutes before it was due to depart but it starts in Bangalore and I assumed it must take a long time to fill up such a massive train as it was at least 300 m long - so long that you couldn't see either end from the middle. Just to double-check I asked at least 3 people if it was the Hampi train, they all said yes. I found my carriage and then my seat/bed, only to find someone sitting in it. A 5 minute discussion ensued which was joined by about 6 other people trying to help figure out what had happened. The matter was quickly settled when one of them pointed out that I was indeed in the correct carriage number and the correct seat... unfortunately I was on the wrong train!!!!!

We all rushed to the door and flung it open, only to see the dark countryside rolling past. Now I desperately needed to know where I was headed! I started asking around my 6 Indian helpers (or should that be hinderers?!). They were naming a region I hadn't heard of (not a good sign!) which turned out to be near Delhi - 36 hours away! For a few minutes I thought they had been saying it was non-stop and started planning how to safely jump from the train, or perhaps bribe the driver to stop! Fortunately no such drastic, Hollywood-esque action was needed as I found a man who spoke English excellently and he told me the next stop was one hour away and I'd have to get off there and take a bus 1 and a 1/2 hours back to Bangalore! Not overjoying news but better than hurling myself into the darkness from a speeding train!

I arrived safely back at a hotel at about 1.30 am (after seeing 2 rats in the street, yuk!) and have been to get a 50% refund on my unused train ticket today. Unfortunately the train was full up today so I've had to book a bus ticket for tonight. Its got air conditioning and reclining seats so shouldn't be too bad. I've also started to think it might be the safer option as (a) I can ask the driver when I get on where he's going! and (b) If I miss my stop by a few seconds I can shout at him to stop rather than ending up 50 miles away!

I've realised now my schoolboy error. If you ask an Indian person a question they don't understand or don't know the answer to, they will ALWAYS say 'yes'!!