The return train from Agra to Delhi was due in at 7.30am and I had a quick transfer by taxi.  At this early hour the place looks different. The temperature is ambient and people look happy to be about.  The station looked a much more interesting place than when I arrived 2 days ago.  Boys were walking down the tracks collecting plastic bottles, but being fuelled by lazy Indians who just threw them off the platform. I said I wouldn’t moan and I won’t, it was just different.

A man was being escorted by 4 armed police onto my train.  He was leashed with a long chain to one officer with a stick and there were 3 others with rifles that looked liked they had come out of World War 1.  It all seemed quite pleasant between them as they were all in happy conversation together.

It was fascinating to see people running over rail lines to catch a train from the wrong side.  Not sure how long I would survive back home doing that.  The train arrives late and unlike the process dictates, there is no seating chart pasted.  I managed to find my carriage with the help of the Guard, but the painted writing of ‘First Class’ was hardly visible on the dusty shell.

The station was really alive at this time.  The passengers, some of which had been travelling already for 9 hours, were hailed with “Pakora, Pakora, Pakora” then “Omlette, Omlette, Omlette”.  Boys were flying down the train picking up the breakfast business.  I’d been watching the food sellers on the platform before I alighted the train with their deep fried everything.

We were soon off and I was joining two guys that had been using the bunks as beds for the last section of the train.  The train left Agra about 20 mins late but managed to catch up on the lost time by the time we got to Delhi.  I had a long conversation with one of the men who was a Doctor in the field of Cancers.  There was a bit of purpose in my conversation as he said he was also getting off at Delhi too and I thought I could raise my understanding of the layout of the Railway Station. I needed to make my way over to the Airport Express and avoid the hassle of last friday.

In day light it certainly gives you more confidence of the layout of the Delhi Station and what to tactically avoid in advance.  The overhead walkway in the Station traversed all of the platforms.  I arrive at Platform 1 and the rear Exit was after Platform 16.  A couple of grunting hauls of my suitcase up a couple of flights of stairs and then a long walk over an open bridge. As I descended the final steps into the Car Park, it arrived right next to the Pre Paid Taxi office, and I could see the Metro Station, a nice new building, just 100 yards up the road.  To think that I had messed around for over an hour on Friday getting from the Metro to the taxi. I really must have looked like ‘Johnny Tourist’ and fair game for their game of fares. To think of all the travelling I had done through BT without too many hiccups.

The difference between the Street and the inside of the Metro Express Station is very stark.  Securitas guards are throughout this lovely oasis who basically keep the riff-raff out.

I knew I was really early into Delhi International Airport, some 6 hours early, but I couldn’t lug my wheelie bag around Delhi for a couple of hours.  Actually, I am getting a little tired with the constant barrage of the entrepreneurs and touts.  I was also really hungry for a meal.  The Airport at Delhi is really modern, bright and clean.  I approached Security at Departures Terminal as you need to be vetted before you go into the building.  He said that he wouldn’t let me in until 4 hours before the flight, but I should go to the Visitor Lounge at the end of the terminal.  I tried to get some advice inside this centre from Air India’s ‘Assistance’ kiosk.  What a misname that is.  I think ‘Assist’ is a verb so a ‘doing’ word, I had set my expectation a little high.  “I need some food and I need to wait until the 4 hours tolerance was up!”.  “Go to Arrivals downstairs there you will have it”. Down in the nice lifts and met by the Arrivals Security. “Yes, there are restaurants in here but you need to check your baggage first, you can’t come in here with your suitcase”. “Go back to the Visitor Lounge at the end of…”  By this stage I again looked like Johnny Tourist.  I gave in. I approached the Security at the entrance to the Waiting Lounge which was extremely strict and they checked my flight and passport and with nothing wrong let me in.  I was not only hungry I also had a craving for ‘Wine Gums’ or something similar.  I was trying to think of all the things back home that would meet the need.  Anyway, the Lounge did have a Coffee Stall with a number of snacks, mostly spicy. There were some Sandwich Rolls in cling film that I pointed to. “Chicken Burgers” the guy said.  Right answer, let me have one of those.  I did remember when coming from Kochi that they had a KFC in here somewhere.  He put it in the microwave and ‘ping’ it was ready, served with tomato sauce.  Yum, I thought.  Well it was a bun, it was Chicken and it did have salad on it.  The Chicken was a thin slice of processed meat and the lettuce and tomato had wilted with the power of the microwave.  It was the first salad I have had on trip.  Well I couldn’t wait any longer.  It was edible but a travellers nightmare.

I kicked my heels in the Lounge for a couple of hours and then headed to the back of the area, to yet another guard, who secured the entrance to Departures.  I’m in, let me find my flight, get checked-in and track down something chewy and sweet.  I found the flight board and went through first by ‘Time’, then by ‘Air India’.  Hmm, nothing.  Maybe it is one of those that is embedded in another hopper flight?  I went back to the ‘assistance office’ and waited patiently.  They had lots of people, but 5 or 6 were looking after one customer. Finally, I’m up. Within 30 seconds the man had reprinted my out and return flight, he said the return flight had changed by 30 mins but no problem. He scribble the Aisle and Counter for Check-in on the print out.  Off I went thinking about Fruit Pastilles. Straight to the front at Check-In. The smiley girl looked puzzled and turned to her colleague. They kept quoting my flight number and then tapping into their terminals.  The second girl came over and looked at my paperwork and then smiled directly at me. “Sir, you are 3 months too early for the flight!”  What a dipstick!, I thought.  I’ve been let loose on this big old world and had 2 bookings with the wrong date already.  Johnny Tourist should have gone to Skegness for a weeks holiday.

So I am starting to think quickly, can I re-book with Air India for tonight or do I call it a day now and rearrange my flight to Hong Kong?  The thought of the Golden Temple put me straight…and the Anthem.  Air India didn’t fly to Amritsar that evening but I knew Jet Airways did. They were the next window down and very responsive. They laughed when I told them the story. Sorted! and only 15 minutes further delay. Someone is looking down on me.  With eTicket in hand I walked off.

It got me thinking.  Not only did I fool myself, I fooled the Indian Army guards 3 times and the Air India assistance twice.  Well, all is well that ends well.

Check-in was not too bad other than my allowance of 20 Kilo was exceeded by 2.2Kg and there was an excess payment required, unless she said that I take 2 Kilo’s out of my main case and put it in my rucksack. I did just that with a quick juggle, but I should have said that I think I have lost 2Kg in weight through not eating today which would have compensated.

All done, I headed towards the Departure lounge in search of Wine Gums.  I compromise on Skittles. Maybe the Red Cross will pick this blog up ??

Descending into Amritsar now.  Bye y’all.