Trains and Toilets

Today's count:
New Mosquito bites: 4 and counting
Number of coworkers names remembered correctly: 2 (and counting)
Number of malaria/dengue fever/rabies/syphillis symptoms: zero
Number of above ground toilets in the office: zero
Number of squares of toilet paper avialble at the office: zero
Number of people I saw in the act of peeing/pooing on the way to work: lost count once i reached the double digits.....oi....

So far I have spent about 2 to 3 hours daily on the train, which is quite the experience. I have found my "spot" on the train, I stand by the door (or rather, where there should be a door) . There are seats but this spot provides some fresh air and scenic views. Now by fresh air i just mean circulating air, which is a blend of sweat, spices, sewage and unidentified chemicals. And by scenic I mean full view of slum communities set up along the railway tracks, with people bathing and doing their business in full view of all passengers. (For those who have read a fine balance, you know what i mean). Naked children running in piles of garbage has become a common sight, as well as people jumping on and off the moving train. Lucky for me the compartments are separated by male and females, and the female compartments are less crowded and less aggressive, though being elbowed in the face/stomach is not unexpected.

So from where I am staying now, it takes about 40 minutes on the train (o rather about 11 songs) I am starting to feel more comfortable. Tomorrow I am meeting Peter from EDC for breakfast at the Hilton in Mumbai, he is now at the edc Delhi office, should be nice to see a familiar face. Until tomorrow, tata.