16 Hour Train Ride to Kush Safari Resort in Bhuji

We paid people Rupees to carry our bags on this cart to our train.  Notice that there are only 2 wheels so he lifted and dragged this cart of our over packed bags quite a distance.  I saw one guy put his sandals on his hands so that he didn't get blisters or hurt his hand while lifting and dragging our luggage to the train.

With 22 people on our tour, it was quite a project getting everyone their luggage, once we were on board.  There were other passengers who were not part of our group who were trying to get situated as well.

The Gandhis arranged for us to have box lunches on the train which included cooked vegetables (we are not allowed to eat raw), naan, potato chips, and sandwiches.

You will see this sign in some of our pictures.  We are required to hold it up and then submit these pictures to the the Fund For Teachers Organization that gave us the grant.  They use these pictures to inform other teachers, recruit people to apply and to get donations.

Well, our group survived the 16 hour train ride from Mumbai to Kush Safari Resort in Bhuji (which is right on the India and Pakistan border).  We were worried about the train adventure for a number of reasons.  We over packed for the trip (which we now regret) so dragging heavy bags on, off, and through a train, plus making sure to not miss the train or our stop, can be very scary.  Also, being that we were on an over night train, we had to sleep with one eye open because people are entering and exiting the train all night, and we were sleeping 4-6 per cubicle (and yes there were strangers in our cubicle).  As soon as we boarded the train, the conductor came through and checked our passports and to be sure we were sitting in the correct seat. While we were waiting for the train to leave the station, beggars and people trying to sell items were hopping on and off the train.  We had been warned by some of our tour directors that the bathrooms can be very unsanitary (depending on the train).  Our group was also informed that there is a hole directly down to the train track from the squatter (toilet-see previous post for a picture) which some lose their belongings down and the train shakes and is bumpy so that makes it difficult as well.  The beds are not very comfortable on the train.  In fact a few people from our tour were complaining of back and hips aching.  The trains in India can be dangerous to get on and off as some people do so while the train is moving.  I read an article in the newspaper before leaving on the train that an elderly man fell between the track and train trying to board.  Despite the challenges, I found the train very peaceful and quiet, and the experience was more pleasant than I had thought it would be.  It was well worth the 16 hours once we arrived at our hotel for the night.  This is the beautiful view we see from our hut and where we eat breakfast.  The water and lands you see here are protected for wildlife, and there is a dam that controls the water levels during the monsoon months from June-August.  The water gets so high that it covers the land you see in the picture.  Tonight I'm writing this blog at our bonfire while listening to the wild animals in the background and listening to the stories told by the Gandhis and our tour group.  They have alligators in that water so we won't be swimming, just admiring from afar:) The beauty of this place made it all worth the long journey.