The story of human evolution is, in many ways, the story of human travel. In all likelihood, the first travel of humans was in search of food and safety. First, it was for short distances, mostly in the vicinity. But soon, as the human needs expanded and took complex forms, the travels became longer , more challenging and for diverse purposes. And the modes of travel also began to become faster and more efficient keeping pace with the expanded need for travel. The travel for food and survival, took newer forms, for trade, for conquests, for discovery and of course for leisure.
Today, travel in most contexts imply going from one place to another in pursuit of rest, entertainment and relaxation. The modes of travel also evolved, mostly through human ingenuity and enterprise. Travelling on foot was replaced by traveling on horse back, and then animal -drawn carriages. Then as humans learnt to use machine power, locomotives were invented, trains, cars and ships and aeroplanes were built, and the travel became far more easy, much less tiring, faster and far more comfortable. In fact, travel itself became another mode of enjoying rest and recreation, as luxury and style began to define travel. A new aspect of human activity was added to a lengthening list, they called it tourism.
The preference of mode for travel will largely depend on the purpose of travel. If time is at a premium, faster modes will be the choice. Fear of water or fear of height rules out travel by river or sea, and travel by air for some. And physical inconvenience rules out travel by modes that take a toll on your body. The mode of travel thus becomes a choice dependent on a variety of factors. Obviously the chosen mode of travel will vary according to the situation.
One way of addressing the proposition is that if there were no constraints, which mode of transport would one prefer? Another formulation of the same proposition could be that which mode of travel you prefer if you are travelling for leisure or pleasure?
Traveling for pleasure dates back in the known history to Greek and Roman times when travel to cities like Pompei and Baiae were undertaken by the rich and powerful for leisure. The tradition has continued unabated, in fact only become far more elaborate and sophisticated. Today tourism is almost the second nature for most societies.
In this background, my preferred mode of travel is by a train.
Trains combine several comforts. Speed and space, solace and solitude, rhythm and reflection, so much is on offer. And as Paul Simon says, there is something about the sound of a train that’s very romantic and nostalgic and hopeful. The fascination for a journey by train were firmly implanted in my sub-conscious since perhaps childhood when while returning to my boarding school, year after year, major part of travel was by a train. Those journeys, then, have left such inextinguishable memories, mostly pleasant and blissful, that every journey by train becomes an experience reliving those moments of colourful sights and sonorous sounds, comforting rhythm of a movement that did not tire but served as a soothing lullaby. These sensations that turned into exciting emotions and majestic memories that defined my childhood and adolescence stand deeply ingrained in these journeys. A major part of railway route of these journeys of yonder days passed through hills and forests. The undulating landscape and the speeding woods offered a spectacle indescribable in words but indelibly planted in my conscience.
It is perhaps these sentiments that fill and overwhelm me when I travel by trains even so late in my life. The innocence and purity of feeling of those callow days have never diminished a single bit, nor the brilliance of elation that accompanied those moments has ever dimmed even after so many decades. Every journey that I undertake in a train, irrespective of time and circumstances, fills me with peace of mind and a serenity, softening the harshness of the moment howsoever corrosive and un-comforting.
But sentiments apart, railway journeys merit preference purely on merit. They don’t force the pace, present opportunities of reflection and relaxation, and rest to body and soul, and you reach your destination refreshed and energised, ready to take on the world.
And who knows you may run into your soul mates or friends of a life time, or men of accomplishments. And who knows your life may inalterably transform on any of such journeys!
scribo ad LX 