What is your idea about travelling for almost 24 hours in Indian railways and that too in Second Class sleeper? 95 out of 100 people would say, “YUCK” but NO, it can be actually fun. All you need is the right route and the right company and I can’t tell you the speed at which time flies and before you realise, the journey is over.
Take a train on the Konkan railways route and be prepared for enjoying the symmetry in randomness of the nature engulfing you. An engineering marvel, the stretch is picturesque with innumerable tunnels, uncountable waterfalls and unimaginable stretches of lush green forests. If you are lucky, you will be greeted with misty weather with light drizzle which very quietly enters from your side window onto your face, refreshing it and making you feel almost in heaven. Smoking hot Vada Pao and hot tea add to the thrill, making you wish for this journey to never end.
People talk about the beauty of Europe and Switzerland and are thrilled by the idea of a long trip on Euro Rail across the Alps or fields in Switzerland. Without undermining that, I want to say that this stretch can easily match anything anywhere. Nowhere would you find such never-ending stretches of green forests and plains, herd of buffaloes roaming around in utmost carefree freedom and a couple of huts in the slopes of the Western Ghats with slight traces of smokes coming out of their chimneys. You can actually see clouds being formed and travelling with you crossing small ponds of clear water where the idea of fishing makes you feel romantic. Life becomes a lot simpler and the worldly worries are hushed out of the same window from which the rain comes onto your face.
The only spoiler in this dream run is the smoke from the engine which unable to escape through the tunnels, enters into the compartments and makes it a bit of uncomfortable, but this happens only when the tunnel is real long. Anyways, the cool air removes all traces of this smog as soon as train exits out of the tunnel. The run continues for more than 7 hours and as you keep entering and exiting tunnels, your mind keeps wondering the amount of effort expanded in digging these tunnels in such an area where for miles you don’t see traces of human beings.
All this while, you have a nice bunch of friends who make this journey ever more beautiful. Playing cards and eating whatever comes your way, you make sure to get people out of your coupe and run for covers on berths insulated from your voices. Once tired of cards, you start gossiping about unrelated random people and things and kill time like never before. Then suddenly some of you get emotional and start discussing politics, only to leave the topic upon entering a tunnel where nobody can hear anyone. Out if the tunnel, the topic is gone and you scramble on a new topic to discuss till the next tunnel which on this stretch are long and plenty. Time flies by and slowly the serenity of the surrounding engulf you and makes you feel sleepy. You climb on your berths for the one last time before you enter into the hustling, and noisy city of Mumbai.
The run has come to an end. The journey is over, it’s time to get out, but I am sure the after effects of the journey will not fade away for a long time to come. Journey, in this case, is much more important, pleasant and beautiful than the destination.
