Present day we have many number of transport modes. Depending on the availability, affordability,
duration and urgency mode of journey is selected. One can travel in one’s own vehicle, two,
three or four wheeler or choose bus, train or flight. Every mode of travel whether public or
private has its own advantage and disadvantage.
If reserved seat and berth is available I find train journey will be
interesting. If it is continuously for more than 16 – 24
hours may become tiresome. In such
conditions air travel is preferred. Even
if air travel is long, more than 12hrs it will be borest of all types of
travel.
Travel on two wheeler is risky, subject to exposure to
elements and accidents. Traveling by own
vehicle removes the fun of journey when it is for a jolly trip. Traveling by bus limits movement and train is
my preferred choice. Here one can enjoy
journey sitting comfortably or lying down.
Also it will be learning experience watching people all around, reading
or watching the train pass through forests, tunnels, cities and
villages. Every railway compartment is
mini India and people in compartments discuss wide range of issues from a
village dog to world political scenario.
Various discussions will leave one with wider knowledge and different
perspective of every problem and situation.
Traveling in unreserved compartment will make one very wise and
adaptable to this world in any condition.
In contrast however short or long the air travel will leave
us only with tiredness and jet-lag if it is a long journey. People here rarely talk to one another,
always appearing serious, reading or working on laptop or watching
entertainment programs otherwise trying to nap.
There is little space to walk; there will not be much to see other than
clouds.
Travel time for me is relaxation time; time to watch people
and their habits, to watch out through window, particularly when journey is on
land. I love to watch the trees moving
past behind me, the different flora that can be see, the new cities, villages,
the people and dressing. If ever I read,
I read news paper. To buy eatables and
other things in train will be good pastime.
Scared of contacting infections I am always hesitant to eat outside,
street food. But in the train when
samosas are hot I love eating them.
Samosas that are sold in Indian railways are unique and tasty.
Whenever I travel I try to occupy window seat. Watching out through the window and feeling
the breeze is heavenly for me. Even
while traveling in flight whenever there is opportunity I occupy window seat
even pushing my daughter to another corner.
During takeover and landing and also during the course of journey I
watch out. Even if window shields are
down midway, I often lift it up and watch out.
Journey above the clouds will wonderful and watching clouds in different
shapes and groups and moving is lightening experience. In long journeys passing above the deserts,
seas and oceans, having a glimpse of dawn and dusk from above clouds, cities in
night lights will ever memorable experiences of travel.
Finally any journey is beautiful if only we watch around and
enjoy nature.
