First train ride alone in India. Check

Now I should've taken pictures on the train ride but moving vehicles put me to sleep. Day of departure had me drenched with all my stuff and my choice to take the bus to the train station. I arrived early and went in search of a chemist. Got cough medicine and left STF's tripod at the chemist. Went on to a tiffin spot for yummy masala dosa. Got to the train station sat in the waiting room then panicked. OMG where is the tripod. Went back to the tiffin spot then to the chemist where the guy chatted with me a bit. So glad I didn't go far after getting of the bus. Sat in the waiting room until I saw my train announced. I went out to the platform and off course my train is the last platform at track 10. So climbed the stairs and negotiated my way across. The train looked the same as the one I took back in June from Hyderabad to Bangalore. I was grateful my seat was with a family and two elders so I felt safe. I was the only foreigner but the others were kind but didn't talk to me much which was fine. After lunch of chicken masala, roti, curd, dal and rice. We all took a nap. Before lunch there was soup and bread sticks but I only had the bread sticks. After lunch came ice cream and shortly after tea time. Tea came with bread and butter with what I think was katchori (round and deep fried, not sure of the filling). I went back to sleep until soup and bread stick time. Dinner was the same as lunch and followed by ice cream. Dinner came with lime juice. I skipped the last tea time and woke up for breakfast of omelette with bread.

We got to Delhi 21+ hours after leaving Hyderabad. It was different since when Priyanka picked me up in Hyderabad she was waiting on the platform. I took a wrong turn and ended up on a different platform after I got off the overhead walkway and then realized I was on the right path to leave the station. I should have gone straight down the stairs instead of turning and taking the escalator. The chaos began as I was approached by taxis, rickshaws (they only have them in Delhi) and autos. I am thankful I called the person I was meeting  to pick me up but that turned into a challenge because it took so long to find each other. Lots of walking on my end with the suitcase. Turns out she stays in a hostel full of women who are either working or students. 

She loves to talk so we chatted until I finally got up to shower and wash the train ride off. Then we set off for lunch where I had Thali (tomato paneer, dal, rice, roti, galub jamun outer layer for it had nuts on the inside) and a fried bowl filled with yummy sweet and tangy stuff (forgot the name). Also had a subway cookie as a reminder of home and just for my sweet tooth. From there we went to the wholesale market. I got the last of the sarees I was asked to get and got one petticoat for them. I got my dad, good friend and former boss some gifts. Finally got earrings for myself and ended up paying double because I went to the first stall we passed when later we saw a guy selling all earrings for half the price. Same with the sarees but I still got nice ones and within my budget. I tried lassi which was so yummy and I wish I kept the earthen mug since they were just throwing them out. I got my rickshaw ride :) was a bumpy one but man I'd have killer legs if I rode a rickshaw for a living.

We hung out at my friends place until we went out for dinner. Dinner was tomato and cheese sandwich that had cole slaw in it followed by fruit beer (it isn't alcoholic) and Jamun Kulfi. I think jamun is an acquired taste for me. Overall Delhi was a good time. Lots of shopping, went over budget a bit but now one person left to shop for and lots of postcards to get. Delhi was nice and warm but not like Hyderabad. More women in western wear. Less women in full Muslim dress. Even saw a young girl in a short skirt and sleeveless top which you won't see in Hyderabad where most women wear suits and the older ladies sarees. 

Had Indian McDonalds for breakfast of hot cakes which was too chewy but sufficient to take my meds with. Nap time then off to the bus which turned out to be 4pm because I didn't read the email that had my ticket. Spent the afternoon at the train station attempting to get on 2 wrong busses. At 4 I got on a non AC bus an was ready to pay the ticket even though I already had one but the conductor took care of it. Ride wasn't comfy since guys kept sitting by me when I had no room because my suitcase was with me since it didn't fit under the seats. Dehradun bound. More to come in the next post. Will add pictures to this one shortly