Night train in India

On Monday, we took the night train from Mumbai to Jabalpur.

First, we traveled to the Mumbai train station. The station was very crowded. Everywhere, people were sitting and waiting for their train to be announced over the incomprehensible loudspeaker announcements to me. Our train arrived 40 minutes before departure time, so we had enough time to board. Carrying the luggage onto the train was quite difficult since the aisles were narrow and many people were walking around. After we settled in and relaxed, the train departed. At each station, people walked through the train offering tea or snacks. In the evening, we had a meal provided by the train company. It was flatbread with dal and rice, which didn't taste very good. After that, I went to sleep and quickly fell asleep.

The next day, I woke up at 6 AM, and we had to get off. The door for exiting was already opened 5 minutes earlier.

Now we had arrived in Jabalpur, where my host father's parents live. Jabalpur is located in the north of India. A driver picked us up and took us to the grandparents' house. To greet the grandparents, the forehead is placed on the feet. The grandparents are called Dado (grandfather) and Dadi (grandmother) here (father's parents) or Nano and Nani (mother's parents).

The household is very traditional here. The men eat first while the women prepare the food in the kitchen. Not only do the grandparents live in the house, but also the 2 brothers of my host father and the 2 sons and the wife of one brother. In the evening, we went to the market, where Diwa (clay lamps for Diwali), colored sand, and items for the Diwali ceremonies were bought. The market appears on the streets and all the stalls sell the same things.

The excitement for Diwali is increasing.