In Case You Were Wondering

After a 5 hour 30 minute delayed departure, my train reached Gaya Junction Saturday afternoon at 1:30. That's 8-1/2 hours behind schedule (!). Ahh... India. I'm confirmed on a flight to Bangkok March 13th.

Universe, I Hope You're Listening

The Mahabodhi Express was scheduled to depart at 2:10 this afternoon. I didn't have a confirmed berth, so I arrived at the station with time to spare. The platform was packed with people, many of them refugees from various delayed trains. Around 2:00 there was an announcement in Hindi, followed by much groaning. I asked the man next to me what was going on, and he said that the Mahabodhi was delayed until 5:30. I asked a station official, who confirmed this. @#$%. By 3:00, the departure time had been pushed back to 7:30.

So here I am now in an Internet cafe in the Main Bazaar, killing time. I've even been reading the NY Times and wishing I could muster up some interest in American politics. But mostly I'm sending out positive energy to the universe, hoping that my train hasn't been delayed again.

You Know Who You Are

If you're reading this blog for the first time, please don't begin with the most recent posts. Go back to 2007 where you may find something interesting.

(Still no word on bag, by the way, and my train departs in four hours.)

Lose Ends

I'm back in New Delhi for the fourth time in the past year: April, July, December, and now March. How absurd. This visit is largely for the tying up of lose ends, namely to fetch my new bank card and a bag I stashed here back in April last year.

Both of these errands were heavily dependent on the assistance of my friend Sriram (a man who is very good at Getting Things Done). The bag (containing mainly cold-weather, work and urban wear) is at his old Delhi office, and the card was sent to his colleague's office. When I met with Sriram last night, things weren't looking very good on either front. The card had yet to arrive, and the office where the bag was being kept had been sealed by the authorities. The office is located in a residential neighborhood, and as such is illegal. Still, Sriram seemed optimistic that both would work out.

My card arrive this morning, and I've picked it up. I'm still waiting to hear about the bag though.