Train Journey

When it comes to travelling by train, even today, my mind takes me back to the school/college vacation days. Iam not getting words to describe those wonderful journey of ours in train. You have to experience that feel. So come, let's travel together for that train journey.

To brief about us, my father was a Defence personnel on the ground side of engineering, based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, southern parr of India. By origin, we are from Kerala, another state of South India. So for our Annual vacation we travel to Kerala by train. We used to travel once in two years, as the train fare was expensive it was not easy to travel every year.

Like all children me, my brother and sister used to wait for annual summer vacation . It falls on April and May , every year. The ticket booking along with return, will be done a month ahead. Because its the peak season for all of them to go back to their native place. Once the vacation starts we do a little bit of shopping for us and relatives. Finally packing all our things that are to be carried along with us. Those times all of them carried large boxes to stuff their items. It was rather heavy. Once the day nears, the countdown begins...

Usually, our train leaves the station by 7.00 pm. So we carry our dinner along with us. We also take some snacks and biscuits with us. Inorder to reach the railway station we usually leave our home around 4.00 pm. The train halts our destination, Kerala, the very next day by evening 4.00 pm. It's almost a one day journey.

Once we reach the station we can see the train stationed in its place and once into the train we three siblings rush to the window seat. As we take a six seated compartment two windows are booked by us near the windows. But as we are three children then, we allot a time for each of us to give way for the other. Parents here become the silent spectators. As the time we get into the train is night, none of us are interested in window seats.

Once the train moves from the destination, all passengers bid good bye to their relatives who came to send off them at the station. The vendors start their business of selling tea, coffee, night meals and someof them with fancy items etc. come to each of us asking if need to purchase. Every one hour or two, a destination arrives and the vendors keep getting in from station and getting down at the next station inorder to market their product. Most of the passengers carry their dinner with them. Around 8.30 pm. we unpack our dinner and enjoy our meal in the rustling train, along with other passengers.

In the day time, it's more nice. We come across beautiful scenic views. The trains moves in between the green paddy fields, the rivers, the houses and the view of the faraway blue mountains makes it such beautiful. Moreover to add to its fun, the train goes through dark tunnels which lasts for atleast 3 minites or so.

Some youngsters never miss the opportunity to sit on the platform of the door to enjoy the nature's beauty. It was such fun. When it pulls at each station for a while, maybe 5 to 10 minutes the vendors rush to our windows for tea and snacks. There are book stalls,bakeries and restaurants in every station to welcome the passengers. In the morning hours, when the train halts in a particular station for around 10 minutes we rush to the nearby station restaurant to purchase our breakfast . It's wrapped neatly in a Banana leaf, after which we go for a tea or coffee.

When it comes to a day's journey in train, most of them carry books and newspapers with them. Cos it was a time when there were no mobiles. People used to exchange friendly talks about them and their surroundings. They get to know each other. Children on the other hand were busy playing some board games like chess, snake & ladder, ludo etc. Some of the children carried comics to while away their time. Now, all these are being replaced by just one item called "mobile" - no talks, no books, no games.

More than visiting our relatives it was the train journey that we enjoyed. We made new friends, exchanged our address so that we were in constant touch by writing letters. No emails during that time. The arrival of email has limited the talking and writing skills to a great extent.

How I wish I could go back to those days, though I know for sure, these treasured days cannot be retrieved . With the surety that you enjoyed this journey along with me, I would like to wind up for now. Enjoy your day friends.....Bye for now.

Lead image and other photo from google images.