Railway Station

I ran as fast as I could to the Puttaparthi Railway Station.

My first thought was to take the train to Goa, but no reserved seats were available. I will tell you that buying a ticket without a seat reservation is a terrible idea, though! The next train leaving was for Bijapur and would arrive at 8:05 a.m. I swiftly purchased a one-way ticket and boarded the train, entrusting the next journey to chance.

As the train moved slowly through the night, I fell asleep and woke up to the steady sounds of the rails. I slept all night, waking up only a few times to ensure I hadn’t missed my stop and falling back asleep. Indian people were in the sleeper car with me, but that didn’t worry me. A soothing background was made up of people talking, the faint clatter of tea sellers walking through the aisles, and the steady lull of the train.

Arriving in Bijapur

Before I knew it, dawn was coming through the dirty windows of the train. The train arrived on time.

Finding a suitable hostel when I got to Bijapur wasn’t complicated. A good place to stay for a few nights would allow me to see the city and figure out what to do next.

Unexpected Connections 

I can’t remember what part of the trip I met Claire and Sara, two women from Norway and the UK traveling solo. We hung out in Bijapur, and we all became friends right away!

Our shared experiences led us to some of India’s most awe-inspiring historical sites. In Hampi, the otherworldly landscape of colossal rocks and ancient ruins transported us to a bygone era. We spent days exploring the remnants of the Vijayanagar Empire, marveling at the enduring structures and intricate carvings. Amidst the ruins, the Virupaksha Temple stood as a testament to the city’s former grandeur, a sight that left us in awe.

The Ellora and Ajanta Caves are where we went from Hampi. We learned about the different parts of India’s religious and artistic history at each place. We were amazed at how skilled people must be to cut whole buildings out of a single rock face at Ellora. The Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain temples and churches were massive and made of rock. I felt like I was going back when I saw the rich paintings at Ajanta that showed the Buddha’s life. Even after prolonged use, the colors and features remained noticeable. We went to other places, but I don’t remember much until I located the pictures.

Our trip wasn’t just a trip; Claire, Sara, and I became friends and kept in touch after returning from India. After a few years, Sara came to see me in San Francisco. Ironically, her departure coincided with the birth of my first son. I didn’t get to spend much time with her. But the connection we made on those grimy Indian roads was still strong. But we stopped talking, and I’ve been looking for Sara ever since. However, Claire stays in touch, and sometimes we send an occasional email.

I also met Elise during this trip. She was another solo traveler who would later play a significant part in my journey. She told me she was going to Rajasthan soon, and if I ended up in Jaipur, I should look her up at Evergreen. I told her I was still figuring out where I wanted to go, but if I ended up in Jaipur, I would look her up.

Next stop: The Golden City of Jaisalmer!  

Author and photo credit: Cristy