Public Transportation

Although sometimes onerous, riding in trains is the most efficient and economical way of getting around expansive India. Despite the unpleasant memories on public transport, (ahamm, read previous entry) there are numerous fun filled adventures chasing and finally catching up to old double decker buses. These giant tin cans take on multiple direction traffic with authority, stopping for no one, not even passengers who have to hop on as the bus is moving. On these carnival rides one is thrown any which way the pothole filled roads decide to toss you (for best action ride atop). On train rides that may last for days, you also become involuntarily familiar with the oh so pungent Indian body odor which smells of cumin and sweat. If on the bottom bunk, you may find curious locals sitting on your sleeper upon waking. They sit excessively close and ask extremely personal questions. But if you have the nerve to answer and ask, you´ll receive honest and insightful information about Indian culture and customs. Why else travel if not to get intimate with the country and its people? And sometimes their belongings.

On one particular eventful train ride from Trivandrum to Gokarna, I accidently grabbed my neighbor´s shoe. Groggy and unable to wake up for the 4am stop, I snoozed the alarm. Dazed and confused I woke up as the train was slowing and panicked. I grabbed my belongings and fumbled in the dark for shoes, any shoe. I managed to jump off as the train was pulling away with a slightly tighter left sandal. Once at the darkened and deserted Canacona Station, I worried about getting to my desired beach destination. The one employee informed me that there would be no trains coming in any direction for quite some time and there seem to be no public transportation at that hour. After what seemed like an eternity a backpacker arrived in a rickshaw. I asked him about where we were and how to get to town. He enjoyed his stay in Palolem beach, Goa but apprehensive, I planned to sleep for a few hours and go back to Gokarna. Goan beaches are over packed with drugged up zombies, thought I. But as the sun rose and illuminated the white sand with palms as far as the eye could see, I felt destined to stay. I found a cheap room and spent a relaxing three days lying on the sand, eating fresh fish, doing yoga, getting massages and meeting interesting people. Now there´s a lesson in going with the flow.