Something new!!! Train ride

I took my first ever train ride in Nigeria last week and it was surprisingly okay. I had heard so much about the trains that I thought "okay, why not"

I checked online to see if I could book my ticket ahead buttttt, we're not there yet

I arrived at the train station at 10am for a 10:35 ride ( 2nd trip I think). I got on the queue to buy my ticket ( N1,500 regular). At the time, I did know there was an option to get a first class ticket until our journey began and I got up to get coffee and BOOM!!!!! There were people sitting in more comfortable , colourful and air conditioned coaches. I asked one of the policemen attached to our coach what was going on and he said "na first class be this. You should have bought first class ticket when you were buying tickets". I thanked him, took my L and went to get coffee. 

We had like 3 stops in all before we got to Kubwa station. First time was so another train could pass, second and third times , we didn't get a reason. 

My journey to Abuja wasn't the most pleasant because I was sandwiched between a woman who had like 18478937 bags and a man who smelled like he just shat himself. To crown it all, the AC was put off like an hour after the journey stated (Standard class only). 

The trip was fast. Started at 10:35 sharp and got to Idu in 2 hours. No, I wasnt seated for the entire 2 hours. I was at the mini restaurant for a while. 

My journey back to Kaduna was super amazing. I had the best companion ever, we were gisting and laughing throughout the trip. We travelled first class (of cos), my companion had so graciously packed some breakfast for us, so we basically had a ball. The train was scheduled to leave at 7am but did leave until 7:36. It was WAR to get tickets. the ticketing guys kept trying to reach the Idu terminal to know how many seats were left on the train and if they could keep selling tickets to passengers at Kubwa. It was a mess really.

The AC was on from the beginning to the end of the trip (ONLY first class. Yup! we checked. Standard class AC was put off after an hour or so). We arrived Kaduna in a little over 2 hours. 

Overall, it was a good experience. Almost the same feeling as train rides in "the abroad" except of cos for speed and easy access to tickets. The trains are still in good condition, only a few missing bolts and a few tears here and there. The train is way more comfortable than travelling by road, your body doesn’t suffer at all.

I think I'll be trying it again very soon. 

Have you been on a train recently? How was the experience like?