Guest column: The timeless charm of travel

During train journeys, one gets to meet all manner of people, while enjoying the cool breeze at the window seat; it makes one think isn’t our entire life a journey with its vicissitudes?

Isn’t there something enchanting and magical about journeys? I have always felt so. During train journeys, one gets to meet all manner of people, while enjoying the cool breeze at the window seat. When it comes to aeroplane rides, the food and hospitality are unrivaled, as is the systematic way in which everything proceeds. Travelling on water offers a mesmerising view of the ocean, though I haven’t had much experience with this mode of travel. It makes one think isn’t our entire life a journey with its vicissitudes?

(Representative Image/iStock)

My most vivid childhood memories are of our family trips to Kasauli. At the outset of the journey, the trip unfolded like a choreographed reel. Dad would unfold his newspaper, and mom would wonder if any important item had been left at home and whether the doors had been bolted properly. My elder brother, who had just stepped into adolescence, would play rap at high volume – much to everyone’s annoyance– while someone or the other would start getting pangs of hunger or thirst midway. The young ones would find a reason to quarrel and would be handed comics – the now quaint Chacha Chaudhary, Pinky and Babloo. Today the young ones are handed a spare mobile instead.

The sheer predictability of the journey does nothing to kill the charm. The moments are pure delight as in the heart of hearts everyone is looking forward to the destination. And after all the initial commotion, there is a phase of calmness, too; usually after the home-packed meal has been consumed and the vehicle is filled with the aroma of pickles. At this time, everyone enters a kind of reverie, pondering over his or her life or simply enjoying the passing greenery, or dozing. Here I often feel a bit scared lest the driver also take a nap!

Nowadays, the many roadside dhabas and eateries have made carrying ghar ka khanna redundant. The travel party starts seizing these eateries with delight and soon everybody is hungry.

As the destination comes closer, an air of restlessness pervades in the car. My father would always take a break at the point as it refreshes everybody and subdues the monotony-induced urge to speed!

Finally, upon reaching Kasauli, we would stretch and yawn, get off and collect our bags. Everyone would look at the verdant beauty surrounding us, inhale the fresh air and marvel at the beauty of the mountains as one settled to enjoy a relaxing weekend.

This is not to deny that some journeys can be extremely difficult to undertake and challenge us to the core. These too, they say, must be taken up for the growth they bring during the process. But, all in all, journeys have the potential to recharge and rejuvenate us, provided they are taken in the right spirit.

As the American novelist Louis L’Amour said, “A journey is time suspended”. With the sweet sounds of chirping birds, with soothing music playing in the car (after prevailing over the brother with Herculean effort) and with my own company to enjoy as I look out of the window – journeys undoubtedly transport me to some other dimension.

reemaban@gmail.com

The author is an assistant professor of psychology at Rajiv Gandhi Government College, Saha