The second largest employer in the world is the Indian Railway System
(the largest is the Chinese Army). The railway is a vastly efficient
heavily bureaucratic system that moves 17 million people a day. To
travel 14hr in sleeper class will cost you 6$.
Train stations resemble really cheap hotels. Thousands of people are
camped out on the floor with their luggage chatting, sleeping or
socializing at any hour of the day. Despite this seeming chaos the
train system looks organized. Each train car has an official list
posted on the side with your name and your seat number. In reality
Indians stuff themselves on many without paying.
The train aisles are a parade of humanity. Chai venders and food
vendors frequently pass with their distinctive cries advertising their
wares. Some of them sound like frogs ribetting or other animal cries.
Also semi-frequently you will hear a clap as a drag queen complete in
a sari (Indian female dress) obtains your attention. These people are
a low caste of flamboyant Eunichs who will heap curses on you if you
don't donate to them. Indians are scared of them and rightfully so.
These Eunichs frequently attend weddings or important events and
threaten to expose themselves unless well bribed to leave.
Occasionally a leper will pass, some their hands and arms so far
rotted away he can't physically take any money you offer. Blind men
come singing their hand outstretched as they walk slowly with a cane;
their eyes often unrecognizable as acid was used to burn out their
eyes as a begging aid. Legless beggars wheel themselves on skateboard
like devices or drag themselves forward. Old widows walk singing and
begging.
You can never be bored on a train. You don't even need to look out a
window to see India.
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