Getting to Shimla

So with Agra disapearing fast behind me, a sense of calm followed. I was on my way to Shimla up in the Himalayan foothills and I felt sure that this place would re-install some faith in India. First however I had to negotiate a seemingly straightforward train change at Delhi.

As the train pulled into New Delhi station the entire slepper coach burst into life and squeezed themselves out of the door, taking me with them. I stood on the platform for a few minutes trying to gain some bearings but the place was identical in all directions. Picking one, I began walking. Finally I found some resemblance of a station building and located the station masters assistant whom I asked for information on the train to Kalka. The old guy didn't seem too interested but eventually I was informed that that train left from Old Delhi station which was about 2km away across town. Great!

A hair raising auto ride across town in the sheet rain delivered me at Delhi Junction station (was this the right one? no-one seemed capable of answering me straight) and I dived inside. With half an hour to spare I decided I would try to drop my backpack off in the left luggage facility. There seemed little sense in lugging all this stuff up into the hills when I was only going to be there for a few days. I'd be back this way soon enough to collect it again. Suprisingly I managed this task without too much fuss and soon enough I was walking to my train with a blissfully light day pack over my shoulder and a new spring in my step.

The train journey to Kalka passed without event and I arrived around 5.00am. I decided that since I was now travelling light it would be nice to get the 'toy train' up into the mountains and enjoy the view. I didn't realise it would take over 6 hours. By the time I reached Shimla I was tired, hungry and extremely thirsty.

It was raining.