Back to Ahmedabad

On this trip, we have traveled almost every class in the railroad system. To see  the differences is striking. In the inappropriately named "chair" class, we sat tightly crammed on hard, vinyl benches. Sleeper class had similar bench seats, but with upper berths for sleeping, and slightly more privacy with walls that were floor to ceiling. Our compartment was not full, so the four of us took over the whole thing. It was not comfortable sleeping, and we had to have our own pillows and blankets, and bring our own food. We ate a late lunch that day, and took naan and some candy bars to tide us over.

On our way to Vapi yesterday, we were in First Class. It was a small, doored compartment with a single bench seat and an upper berth. It was equally as uncomfortable,  and as the day grew warmer, the compartment grew hotter, even with the window open. We still had hawkers going up and down the aisle, selling food and beverages. 

A/C Chair compartment on the train -
it's like being in an airplane, but with legroom!

Today, as we return to Ahmedabad, we are in A/C Chairs. Wow, what a difference!  This is like being on  an airline, but with more legroom. We were served a hot breakfast, a snack, and a hot lunch with ice cream for dessert. We each received a liter of bottled water (even the Indians don't drink the tap water). The chairs are padded, and actual chairs, not benches (no encroachment by your neighbor!). You can plug in your electronic devices. And it is air conditioned. Tomorrow we will travel by 3AC,  meaning,  an air conditioned sleeper car with 3 berths high (total of 6 in a compartment, with no door). We have no idea if food will be served, but I guess that's what makes this an adventure! 

We are back in Ahmedabad and in our last hotel for this trip (at least the two of us).