A new Indian experience began with out train mission from Poona to Channai, which was located on the other side of India and a 28hr train ride. Because the ‘olds’ were with us, we were travelling in real style. First Class Sleeper, Oh the pleasure, Oh the luxury and you can even sleep while travelling! No sweaty Arab trying to grope Hannah in the night, no sitting in the heat wondering if there will be a toilet stop. No eating dry biscuits, pure luxury the whole way. Well Indian first class is not much chop but air-conditioning and beds is a whole new thing for Hannah and I. Never mind that there was a resident large mouse/small rat gobbling up the fallen scrapes. They at least ate the mess and cleaned up more than the missing attendants/cleaners.

Indians are also polite and nice and all the kids in our coach wanted pictures. I really was starting to feel like a rock star. I could get used to it.

The first morning in the train at about, well some ungodly hour, Glenys, Hannah’s mother, comes around to our cabin, “Hannah, Hannah” poke, poke.

“Hannah woke up sleepily, “What?”

“Oh so you ARE awake, well since you up come and talk to me I am bored.” I then had the pleasure of being the focus for Glenys’s considerable attention.

“Mika, MIKA?” poke, poke harder. I was pretending to be asleep but the poking got harder.

“What?” I said sleepily

“You’re awake too! Oh good, you can come as well.”

Like mother. Like daughter. One Byrne alarm is usually enough, two is just cruel. They don’t even have off buttons.