Delhi to Rishikesh

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So I'm in Rishikesh, a 'spiritual' 'town in the hills on the Ganges which has been attracting Westerners of a hippyish inclination ever since the Beetles stayed here in an Ashram to write the White album.

The night train from Delhi was just fine. Purchased my ticket from the specially designated, uncrowded, blissfully air-conditioned foreign tourists information center at New Delhi station. Staff spoke English and I even paid in Sterling at the correct exchange rate. So easy! Had to mission it across town to Old Delhi station to catch the actual train, a journey made more entertaining by the fact that the Motor-Rkshaw guy let me have a go at driving. Get behind the wheel (well, handles) of one of those things and you begin to understand why people drive them the way they do. I really think Rikshaw racing could catch on as a new motorsport back home.

When I got to the station I was seemingly the only foreigner in the whole place, aside from another Western couple who were studiously ignoring me as travelers tend to do sometimes when another of their kind shows up to ruin their illusions of adventurous travel. I had a few more camera phone boys and a few comments but mostly people just wanted to question me (where are you going, what are you doing here, WHY ARE YOU BY YOURSELF?). I found myself a group of women with kids and sat down near them, then no more hassle.

Anyway the train turned up on time, at the correct platform, and the electronic display even told me at what point to stand on the (absolutely massive) platform to find the appropriate carriage. This is probably the easiest time I've ever had finding my train in any country, including England. There was some confusion when I mistakenly thought I was supposed to be in seat 24 F (this is of course my age and gender, which had been included on the ticket for mysterious reasons), but once that had been clarified it was all rosy. I was sharing a little six bed berth with a nice Indian family, whose bright but unfortunately extremely inquisitive children kept me awake most of the night asking questions about England. Do we have cricket in England? Why yes we do. Do I like cricket? No, no I do not. Do I wish to hear a list of your favourite cricket starts in order, again? No. You're cute, small child, but I tire of you.

I got to Haridwar at about 5:30am and found a cycle rikshaw guy to take me to the bus station. He did not do this, instead parking us in the middle of a nearby roundabout then flagging down and bundling me onto the appropriate bus, but same result so whatever.

Well I have loads more to write but am getting kicked out of net cafe cause it's closing. Have been in Rishikesh 3 days but am leaving at 5am (painful) to get the bus to Joshimath to hopefully trek up to the Valley of the Flowers (google it). May be without internet for a week so further updates will have to wait!

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Comments

[Denne]

Can't believe they let you drive those things
I can definately relate to the stuff about the kid telling you his favourite cricket stars. God i miss india

[stilbonmaria]

Delhi To Rishikesh Bus Booking
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