After being determined to get a good night sleep, the fact that yesterday was India Day meant fireworks (that I couldn't see, boo!) well into the night. Followed shortly by dogs barking, and I swear I could hear goats at some point! Eventually it was the tickey-clock on the wall that made me play hunt the earplugs! Eventually got to sleep about 2ish, but the earplugs meant I slept through my alarm and got a late start to the day.

I finally made it to the train station (by way of an autorickshaw convinced of his immortality) by noon, and wandered about checking things out. I found a place that books train tickets, and went in to arrange my train to Delhi. Bummer - they are all sold out for the next few weeks - who'd av though it? The man in the shop recommended I got a train to Churchgate Station in the centre of the city and find the foreign tickets office - they have an extra quotas for tourists - so off I went.

It took a while to figure out the trains and get my ticket to the city - eventually hopped on board a carrieage and was wedged between a whole bunch of sweaty men. After being groped for about half an hour I got off the train to find they have women only carriages. This I will remember for next time!

I found the ticket place without any real problems, but was told their credit card machine was broken and I would have to stump up the cash. They also said they only get 2 tickets per day and the chances are very slim that I can get a place. (There were 7 people waiting for tickets from todays allowance) Having a brain wave I wandered until I found an American Express office so I could buy some dollars and go back to the station office. Turns out they don't sell dollars here unless you can prove you are leaving the country in 7 days (ie producing your tickets) obv this isn't the case for me, so I decided to check out the local sights and try again in the morning - this time better prepared!

I saw the Gateway of India, and both the stations. I also saw many beggars and cripples. Coming back to the hotel in the taxi, children came up to the window to beg each time we stopped. It's heartbreaking, I'm just not used to it.

On a lighter note though, as I was asking at my hotel about the possibility of hiring a car etc to get me to Delhi and the manager told me that his friend works in the tickets office and gets him tickets for customers all the time. Apparently he's already had 4 tickets this week. He is confident I will be able to get one for Saturday and already called his friend. There must be a secret stash of tickets someplace for just such an occaision! hurrah for corruption!