Enjoyed the NY piece very much. What a privilege it was to travel on those trains, as I did much in the 80s-90s - though always East-West or West-East on the Gitanjali or Howrah Express via Nagpur - often delayed, 50 hours one time, ugh - but real generosity of families sharing food teaching language, fattening one up with foods - 3rd class three tier and pre-phone times, so much chattery-comradery. But anything over 20 hours would kill me now, and I suspect I would struggle to manage even 14 (as planned for July). Great read. Congrats.
Excellent write up - the thought process behind it is even better!! Keep it up - next let’s do a trip from Kutch to Kolkata or even better all the way from Mumbai to Margherita station
Enjoyed the NY piece very much. What a privilege it was to travel on those trains, as I did much in the 80s-90s - though always East-West or West-East on the Gitanjali or Howrah Express via Nagpur - often delayed, 50 hours one time, ugh - but real generosity of families sharing food teaching language, fattening one up with foods - 3rd class three tier and pre-phone times, so much chattery-comradery. But anything over 20 hours would kill me now, and I suspect I would struggle to manage even 14 (as planned for July). Great read. Congrats.
I thought you were exaggerating when you said Hopper painting. But by god…
This inspired me to be more present, mindful and observational, rather than glueing my eyes to my phone during travel. Thank you
Such a mythic train, from top to bottom of the subcontinent! Lovely to have a bit of "backstory" before reading your piece.
Excellent write up - the thought process behind it is even better!! Keep it up - next let’s do a trip from Kutch to Kolkata or even better all the way from Mumbai to Margherita station
It has been nearly three decades since I have gone on such an epic train journey! This post and the NY piece are beautiful, and made me so nostalgic.