Ah good memories... The train was always special to me when growing up in India. I went from Goa to Nagpur by train - more than a 24 hour trip when I was in college. The summer trips were just wicked - enduring 45C+ temperatures without air conditioning. But I rarely traveled alone (and rarely sober too) and there was always some older dude spewing wisdom about how the younger generation was "corrupted". We'd just laugh about it over cigarettes - which were not allowed in the compartment but still - you got to smoke when you got to smoke. And you got to drink when you got to drink.
After living in the US for the past 17 years now I don't think I'm going to have the capacity to make journeys like that again. Kids, family and times are way to hectic. Luckily I haven't transformed into the "old dudes" who complain about the "younger generation".
(I am not trying to nitpick or be one of the old dudes :P, just trying to share my perspective which I feel strongly about)
I am < 30 and I have travelling on trains here since as long as I can remember. Still do. Never smoked in trains and seeing two train fires from up close (in one many lives were lost) that were started by bidi/cigarettes I never ever thought of smoking on a train and to be honest I am always amazed how even well educated people, knowing fully well that their smoking very well can cause a fire and may kill people, still are inconsiderate enough to keep doing it.
One meets all sorts of people on those train rides. From boring middle class families, to mystics, and of course those older people complaining about the corrupted youth.
Good to hear that you didn't turn into one of them!
