The inexplicable trip

Welcome all. I was waiting to arrive home so that I could pen down my latest travel sojourn, that took place as a result of a family wedding in December 2022.

What a fantastic start it was! I was already able to visualize so many things that were rushing within me. Every second appeared in my tickets, all over. Soon after the wedding on 18th Dec,2022 we all set off for Pune. Even though I have been to the city before, but this time it appeared to be a stranger. Our Konark express was delayed for good 2 hours at Secunderabad, but it was fun. I was doing train spotting, enjoying hawkers and vendors walk past selling samosas, chai and the the entire platform seemed to have charged up. Trains arriving and departing, people bidding farewell to their family and friends. Destinations so many. I said to myself- “Do I have a destination?”

It was shortly after 1 pm when I saw the WAP-5 locomotive making its way on platform number 10 hauling the LHB rakes. In no time we spotted our coach and settled in. As soon as the train rolled out, it picked up speed. The chatter started emitting emotions, happy faces, as if the air around had something to say. I sat by the window and started enjoying the setting sun. As the time was ticking, our energy levels appeared to quadrupled.

Even as I gazed at the setting sun, I was asking myself — “When & where will I get to embark on my next solo trip?” and it was then I was checking out some good destinations within India and abroad. To my amazement, I found a travel destination which at least to me felt satisfying and made an effort to book a budget hostel (I shall reveal the destination in my upcoming blog) which I accomplished in five minutes. Our train was hurling at a good speed. Post-dinner, I was the only awake who did not feel sleepy and even in the pitch dark environment outside, I continued enjoying watching small stations that vanished in the wink of an eye.

All good journeys must come to an end. Around midnight our train reached Pune Junction. It was a a struggle to hop on from platform to another, just to make an exit. In no time we were out of the station. Our generous brother-in-law (I am laughing) was there to welcome us. To me the night had just begun. Pune had a charm in the air. I would certainly want to visit the city again.

-Pramod Sharma