| India is a vast country that is best seen by train. In fact, | | | | chain it to the berth. Be sure to make friends with the |
| considering the poor road conditions throughout the | | | | other occupants of the compartment, especially |
| country, the best way to travel between major cities in | | | | families, and they will gladly watch your luggage when |
| India is by train. The Indian rail network is one of the | | | | you leave the compartment. Simply say "Please, look |
| most extensive in the world and it offers you a | | | | after it" in Hindi and people will oblige. Speaking in Hindi, |
| wonderful glimpse at the country and its people. | | | | that would be 'jii, iska dekh-paal karo." In fact, you will |
| However, to get the best travel experience, be sure | | | | almost certainly chat with your fellow travelers, and if |
| you learn to speak some Hindi so you can travel | | | | you speak any Hindi, people will be curious and want to |
| safely and enjoy your journey all the more. First we | | | | talk with you. |
| will cover a little about train travel in India, and then a | | | | Here are some phrases to help you travel better in |
| little bit about the language. | | | | India. They are written phonetically here to aid in your |
| Very few people ever forget the first time they see a | | | | pronunciation practice: |
| train in India pull into one of the many train station. It can | | | | Kyaa yeh Delhi kii bus/train hay? (Is this the Delhi bus |
| be complete mayhem! Hordes of passengers get on | | | | train?) |
| and off, accompanied by train porters with impossible | | | | Delhi kii ek ticket denajii(One ticket for Delhi, please.) |
| piles of suitcases on their heads. Beggars and vendors | | | | Kab Jaaegii? (When will the train go?) |
| roam along corridors or beneath the train windows, | | | | Aur kab Delhi pahuu-Chegii? (And when does it arrive |
| yelling out their offerings and demands. To be honest, | | | | in Delhi) |
| although the train station looks like complete chaos, | | | | Delhi kii ek gaaRii kis platform per hay? (Which |
| you'll eventually find your name and berth on a | | | | platform is the Delhi train on?) |
| computer printout, which is pasted on your baggage. | | | | Kyaa yeh seat khaaii hay? ( Is this seat empty?) |
| Get to the station at least an hour before your train is | | | | In order to better travel around India, be sure to learn |
| due to leave, in order to check your reservation. | | | | to speak Hindi! Not to worry though, most ticket |
| As for tickets, you can buy 1st class or 2nd class | | | | officials in railway stations speak Hindi and English. So |
| tickets. A 1st class ticket is often in an air-conditioned | | | | don't worry if you haven't learned the the "right" hindi. |
| car, or features an air-conditioned berth on the train. A | | | | You can speak a lot of Hindi and throw in some |
| 2nd class ticket can be either reserved or unreserved. | | | | English language as well and be well understood. Train |
| Your best bet would be to reserve a 2nd class | | | | station clerks in India are often stressed and busy, and |
| sleeper berth, air-conditioned. To travel cheaper than | | | | must be patient and polite. If you are pushy and |
| that with no reservation is chaotic, noisy and | | | | obnoxious you will be simply sent elsewhere. |
| sometimes dangerous, while the more expensive 1st | | | | So, for your next trip to India, keep in mind the simple |
| class option may leave you feeling a bit out of touch | | | | travel tips to purchase a 2nd class sleeper ticket in an |
| with the local population. | | | | air-conditioned car, arrive at least an hour early, and |
| Always keep an eye on your luggage as you travel. | | | | watch your luggage at all times. Be sure to learn to |
| At arrival and departure time, you're likely to see | | | | speak Hindi so that you can enjoy the experience of |
| groups of young men in scruffy-looking western | | | | meeting new people and journeying safely to other |
| clothes. These groups of young men are often thieves, | | | | areas of India! |
| so be wary. At night, use your bag as a pillow and | | | | |