train to chang mai

i took an overnight train to chang mai. it was fun. i met three canadian girls, much nicer than the european girls i met the night before. (hate to say it!). we were all sitting together. and i also met 2 german girls who were also quite intereseting and lovely to talk with. the train ride was kind of like a backpacker slumber party. at first, the train is just seats facing each other, so you just start talking to everyone around you. then in a couple of hours, the train conductor walks around and makes the beds. the top one is folded down from the ceiling, fresh sheets and blankets, and the bottom bunk is made from the two seats. at this point, some people sleep. others go to the food car. flashing christmas lights, windows open, cigarret smoke and vintage micheal jackson - i kept calling it the dance club car (but no one could dance cuz of the movement of the train). loads of fun - signha beer flowing - and loads of conversation - where have youbeen? where did you stay? traveler's talk.
at 11:00, time to close, back to your bunk and sleep. word to the wise - get a lower berth - much better than the upper. (from experience).