railride

Rode the train for the first time. Leaving delhi was quite an experience. Typically the poorest of peoples live along the railways and in delhi, poor, means fucking god aweful poor. Small shanties built of mud and stones surrounded by garbage and reeking of waste. However mind boggling the poverty was, the people maintained presentable appearances and mostly clean clothing. The splashes of moving color among the wreckage of slum living is beautiful and sad at the same time. Riding the train is pretty nice, get to chat with the neighbors and get travel tips while drinking a sixth cup of chai. during our five hour train ride we rolled through constant fields of blooming yellow mustard...gorgeous indeed, but why all the mustard...im not really sure...must be the worlds supply or something.
in general, so far, the people of India are remarkably kind and friendly...even if its in a scamming sort of way. I say hi to everybody here our at least aknowledge them when ever possible, this makes them very happy. Often people just want to say hello, shake hands, and find out what our country is. One family even had me stand with them for their portrait and people on the street often ask me to take there photos. it seems the poorer a country, the nicer the people. code