Train, Thy Name Is Happiness!

 

Given the large number of my relatives scattered across the country, and also considering the numerous rituals that we South-Indians have, I have been blessed with many opportunities to travel outstation. Every trip has been exciting and has taught me something new. In fact, I feel that I changed a little after every trip I went on!

For me, the preparations for the trip have always been more exciting than the trip itself. Shopping for the trip, packing the suitcase, preparing food to be carried in the train - these give a different kind of pleasure. And speaking of trains - I just love train journeys! I love the fact that I can sit beside the window of a speeding train and see the world rush by. As the train takes me through strange lands and unknown territories, I find myself lost in the world outside, trying to learn about the place and the people I get an occasional glimpse of.  Sometimes there is only wilderness for miles in the journey, at other times farms pass by, with mountains in the background. Once, I was travelling through some Ghats in Maharashtra in the rainy season and came across an enormous waterfall. I can't describe the beauty of the water cascading down the cliff of the huge mountain. And then there was the journey when I was shifting to Hyderabad. When the train left Kalyan Junction, I couldn't help feel emotional. Although a new life was luring me, I just couldn't say goodbye to my beloved Dombivli. I sat brooding until the train reached Karjat. A beautiful rainbow stretched across the sky. It seemed to stretch along with the train route. I enjoyed the view for a long while. The rainbow brought in peace and solace to the mind otherwise grieving for a home that I had to say goodbye to. Moments like this made me fall in love with traveling.

It is a necessity to drink coffee in the train. And from a coffee-lover's point of view, the coffee in the train is - bland. There is no other word to describe the watery concoction that they serve in the name of coffee. And yet I can't say no to it. I make it a point to not to count the number of cups of coffee that I have in the train. Tomato soup is something else. I don't know how they make it in the train but the soup tastes just delicious! The tangy soup and the crunchy bread crumbs they add to it make it a sheer delight to be savored in the evenings when it is too dark outside the train to enjoy the scenery. 

Most of the times, we eat home-cooked meals in the train. Methi-roti, Idli and onion-tomato chutney are the usual favourites. We got to travel in Rajdhani sometimes. And that is a different experience. There are no complaints about the food there. My kid specially loves the thaali! 

And the nights in the train. There is something absolutely soothing about the rocking motion of the train and the dim lights, even though I am not a fan of the dark. And to wake up to beautiful scenery is something that I literally crave for. Sometimes we get a beautiful view of sunrise. No picture or image can justify the feeling of seeing the sun rise over some mountain, or between the trees, or over a farm. 

Needless to say, Maharashtra and Konkan routes are my favourite. The Sahayadri Ghats never cease to amaze the weary traveler. All the problems seem to disappear when we behold the gigantic Ghats existing since eons. And then we have beautiful Kerala with its palm trees, neat roads, thatched huts and paddy fields! A train journey through Kerala is like seeing the very essence of the place.

I can go on and on. I prefer train journey over a flight on any given day. Sure, the flight saves time. But it is not as enjoyable as the train journey! 

The best part of a train journey is all the family members coming together for a while and enjoying each other's company! Ludo, playing cards, dumb-charades, Antakshari - all these make up for an awesome bonding time. 

Most of all, the train journeys bring in beautiful memories, to be savored in the evenings at home - the memory of beautiful sunrises, of cascading waterfalls, of cozy evenings with hot tomato soup and comfy nights with the rocking motion of the train.