She is a thoughtful, sensitive newlywed traveling through an African village on her honeymoon. Unlike other passengers, she possesses a reflective nature that makes her highly aware of her surroundings and the social gulf between the tourists and the native villagers. She experiences feelings of isolation and questions the impulse behind acquiring souvenirs, viewing them as symbols of the unreality of her vacation.

The new husband is a man of action and impulse, driven by capitalist instincts rather than reflection. He views interactions with the local villagers primarily through the lens of commerce. His focus centers on securing a bargain, blinding him to the desperation of the vendors and the emotional sensitivities of his wife.

This elderly, impoverished native man sells carved animals to train passengers to survive. He exhibits habits of deference and ingratiation, smiling constantly as an accustomed response to the wealthy tourists. His physical condition, with breath blowing out beneath his ribs, physically demonstrates his desperation to make a sale.

The stationmaster works at the isolated train station in the unnamed African village. He represents a bridge between the remote village and the transient world of the train. He maintains a friendly, workaday routine, seemingly comfortable in his remote environment.

The conductor manages the operations of the train as it passes through the desert territory. He steps out during the brief stop to engage in familiar, friendly conversation with local workers.

She lives a stationary life in the desert village, watching the passing trains. She looks up at the sound of the train's departure, firmly rooted in an environment where tourists only briefly pass through.

The children live at the train station and run barefoot through the soft sand that erases their footprints. They interact briefly with the train's staff to collect provisions for their family.

A worker on the train who facilitates the transfer of goods to the remote station. He passes loaves of bread to the local children during the brief stop.

A local villager who uses the train's brief stop to socialize. He walks alongside the cars to joke and chat with the railway staff, finding moments of connection in the otherwise transient environment.

A young passenger on the train who demonstrates the callousness of the wealthy tourists. Unhappy with her expensive chocolates, she carelessly throws them out the window to the village's stray dogs.