Not just any train but this one was first class. The tuck tuck driver met us at the hostel on time at 5am and dropped us at the correct station (there are 6 in Agra). The station was surprisingly clean and modern. There were escalators, the first we had encountered in India. We were 30 minutes early but the train was already on the platform and we were allowed straight on. So far so good. There was a full food service on this train. I was wondering if they would serve the lobster before the caviar or the other way round. I would have killed for a bacon sandwich! Turned out, the first round of food was a banana followed by chai. No coffee at all on this journey. Then we got a packet of cornflakes. No bowl, no spoon, no milk. You eat them like crisps. More mediocrity was to come but I won’t bore you. Sadly no silver service. But if you like spreading your marmalade with the handle of a wooden fork this experience could be for you. The train arrived on time too. Unfortunately the people from the Homestay who were picking us up didn’t. Still Varanasi station looked like it was brand new and was a nice place to spend 10 minutes.
