A Canadian couple on Thursday made the internet melt when they shared their experience of travelling in the sleeper compartment of a train in India. The couple took to Instagram to document an unforeseen twist they encountered while travelling via train in India.
As per the couple’s Instagram post, they had booked a train ticket to travel from Jalgon Junction to Chandrapura in a sleeping class compartment hoping to get a good sleep during the journey.
However, being tourists, they did not know that on trains like 2655 Nanjaveet Express, the sleeper seat is situated in the 3rd class compartment. Which means that unless you book a second or third bunk, your (bed) seat is not your own, it is a free-for-all.
“One of us booked an early train from Jalgon Junction to Chandrapura in a sleeping car class, thinking we would get more sleep. It seemed logical. However, one should read more about the multiple ticket classes available on the trains in India,” they posted on Instagram.
What happened next?
As they were quickly surrounded by a swarm of Indian kids after boarding the train, the Canadian couple were soon equipped with the task of coming to terms with the reality that their coach for this 7 hour journey was not going to be as private as they had hoped.
According to the couple, kids were attracted to the ‘interesting tourists from Canada’ as they were travelling to a town that is not as regularly frequented by foreigners travelling to India.
What simply began as some Indian kids keenly observing the Canadian man sleep soon turned into a heartwarming episode of strangers becoming friends through gestures of kindness, compassion and fun-filled activities.
The reel posted by the couple on Instagram also showcases adorable visuals of the Canadian man playing with an Indian kid, where a young boy is pretending to “scare” the Canadian man. A resplendent scene that caused smiles to grow on the faces of all passengers present in the coach.
After showcasing clips of Indian kids lining up their train coach and playing with them, the clip soon cuts to show the Canadian woman inquiring about Indian food and nursing a newborn local baby.
‘Amazed at watching a community coexist as one large family unit’ Canadian couple post
Recounting their experience of the much talked about ‘Indian hospitality’, the Canadian couple said that they were amazed and impressed by watching the closeness and hospitality Indian people share with strangers.
“I was so impressed, amazed and all of the great feelings one can have while watching a community work together and coexist as one large family unit” they wrote on Instagram.
A lot of Indian passengers also bought the Canadian tourists food from stalls at different stations and recommended them to try a variety of Indian food. Some also offered the tourists home-cooked food that they had brought for the journey.
“Some bought food for us to try thru train windows at stops, the passing by food sales people on the train and some that their mother made,” (sic) the Canadian couple wrote on Instagram.
“The kids loved the attraction of Canadian tourists, but watching the relationships and the level of cooperation between the locals is something that everyone should aspire to. A 7 hour sleepless train ride, but wouldn’t change a thing,” the Canadian tourists wrote towards the end of their post, encapsulating a sweet drip down memory lane.