What an experience! It started 3 days ago when Betty suggested I do the train ride - a great suggestion. I quickly contacted the train station to make a reservation. They responded that all 40 seats were sold but I asked if I could go to the train station to get a reservation but was told that would not work. I was not satisfied with that answer so I got up at 6:00 a.m. and went to the station.
I was disappointed for two reasons. One: People can no longer ride on the top of the train because someone was decapitated last year while sitting on the roof.
Two: They took the diesal engine out of service because of its weight and the dilapitated tressles can no longer handle the weight.
When I tried to buy a ticket, they said none were available. But at the time of departure, the train left with less than 1/2 full. After trying to get the ticket by persuasion without success, I jumped onto the train but without a ticket. They stopped the train to force me to exit.
Then I started to talk with all the people at the train station explaining my dissatisfication. One of the secretaries called the station at Alausi to see if I could purchase a ticket there. The answer was unclear whether tickets were available. I jumped on my bike and rode the 1 1/2 hours to the Alausi station.
To my surprise I was riding next to the train and did not miss any scenery.
At Alausi they said they could not sell me a ticket. That is when my patience expired. So I began to talk badly about the train service and took my complaint to such a level that they sold me a ticket with the promsie that I would not tell anyone that I got a ticket at Alausi. (The reason why they have limited ticket sales through tour agencies is because of the limited weight that the tessles can sustain.)
To my surprise AGAIN, the seat that I got was the very first seat next to the train conductor and main window. I was able to take nice pictures and videos of the trip. the day was over cast so we were unable to see the Devil's Nose which is a rock sticking out of the moutnain but to say the least, the ride was still interesting. I am very satisfied to having done one of the best 5 train rides in South America.
On the way back, I hit fog in the mountain and I was unable to see more than 10 m. ahead of me. It was an interesting return tide to Riaboma.
