Off to the train station, not without a little intrepidation regarding checked in luggage. Once again early but not the three hours requested by Guwahati. At the station porter assistance with the Bob bag to the Cloak room. 50rup. Told not to checkin the bike bags as they are under weight and instead carry them on to the train ourselves, placing them in either the Brake van or the carriage in which we have our allocated seats. Uncertain of whether impacted upon by our last dealing or just not interested. We decide to carry the bikes onto the carriage rather than placing them into the Brake van as not certain whether secured or not.
The staff are also uncertain which platform the Kanchenjunga Express is going to pull into, and identify that they will not know until 10 mins from arrival. Fine, unless lugging bike bags up and over pedestrian bridges. So we checked what Platform it normally pulled into. Platform 2. Great, grab another porter and relocate again. 50rup. Take up position, have an hour and a half to wait but absolutely dripping with sweat so wander a little away from the bags to the nearest platform fans. Normally identifiable by a pool of people sitting below.
People wandering on and off the train currently at the platform so uncertain just when it is going to move off. Notice that a lot of people are taking up position on the pedestrian bridge rather than committing to a platform. A couple of platform wanderers as we wait. Ranging from little kids, a few dressed a few not, to older people. As the minutes tick away still waiting until almost arrival time when the shriek of the train horn finally signals it is leaving. Unfortunately the train and it's occupants had left a few presents on the tracks just across from us. Cleaners were slowly working along the tracks sweeping up the bottles, cups, chip packets and other leftovers from both the passing trains and people on the platforms. Avoiding certain contributions though.
Train late but eventually we hear the call over, first in Hindi and than English. Platform 1. Bugger. We signal our trusty reliable porter currently across the way on Platform 1 who climbs down onto the tracks and crosses to us. Good money obviously. 50rup.
Onto the train and struggle along the tight corridor to the curtained cubicle, our residence for the next 12hrs. Thankfully only two other occupants and both middle bunks folded down. Bikes fit onto the top bunk side by side and secured by the bunks hang chain. Bob in bag under the bottom seat on the floor. Double paned window unfortunately foggy from condensation created between the panes. Settle in with books as no view.
The entertainment then begins with a constant flow of hawkers who must ride the trains back and forth between stations. Pan, masala rice mix, mangoes, water, chips, shoe/bag repair, masseurs, books and coffee / tea. Slightly stranger, beggars - blind or disfigured, transvestites and kids who sweep the floors all drop by chasing donations. It's one thing on the streets where wandering by, but in a carriage no where to go. Run out of coins by about our fifth visitor.
Strike up conversation with the other guy and after a while draw a few more walk bys. Time passes faster especially after lunch which in 3A you pay for. Finally Kolkata but rain is making even the foggiest view from the window even more unclear. The guys give us a hand getting our gear out onto the platform. On the platform for one minute before we attract out first beggar. Thankfully also attract a porter and negotiate a slightly higher rate to get across to the Prepaid taxi stand, which when we make it is closed, at 9.20pm.
Only visible taxi alternative yellow ambassador taxis beaming the 50s - 60s versus 2011. Just starting to rain again so negotiations definitely one sided as try to confirm to an older street lady that we will not contribute. One bike bag on the back seat and the other in the boot with the Bob bag. Sit in the front which gives me a couple of millimeters of head room in the otherwise roomy car. Soph squeezed in the back with the bike bag. Check the age with the driver, but he identifies that there is forced replacement after ten years of use. Still it feels like the original model as we bounce through the traffic, after having been run into by a white police jeep, slightly concerned with the limited visibility a combination of the pouring rain, small disjointed windscreen wipers and low headlights.
Driver finds our pre arranged accommodation at Bodhi Tree in South Kolkata after a couple of street side enquiries. Nice place, part guest house and part art gallery. Settle in and comatose within half an hour of lying on the bed.
Note: On the news an IED was apparently found by police on I think the Friday Guwahati bound Kanchenjunga express. Looked like explosives and shrapnel packed into a stainless steel milk container.
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