Journey is a popular form of entertainment. It is a notable source of acquiring knowledge too. There is a wise saying that "Home keeping people have always homely wits." It means that, the man who passes his life confined in one place, possesses a very narrow outlook.
Any type of journey can give us both pleasure and knowledge. Among all types of journey, I prefer to a journey by train. It is most exciting journey for me. If I get any chance to go to a distant place, I feel comfortable to visit by train.
A few days ago, I have enjoyed a train journey from Dhaka to Chittagong. It was June and my summer vacation was going on. My parents were invited to the marriage ceremony of my maternal uncle. My father managed three tickets one day before the journey.
On the fixed day, we reached the kamlapur rail station at 7 a.m. Though it was early morning, the station was crowded and busy. Rickshaws, motorcars and other vehicles were coming to the station. Coolies were running behind them. We got into the train and took our seats. I was waiting restlessly when the train would leave. After a while, the guard blew the whistle and waved his green flag. The train started to run on and I heaved a sigh of relief. (¯^w¯Íi wbtk¦vm †djv)
I sat by the window and kept looking outside the window. It was a soft sunny morning. The sun was rising with all its splendid beauty. When our train left Tongi, the long acquinted greenery of our country came into my view. The train was passing through the green paddy fields. Trees and houses seemed to run behind. We saw the farmers working in the fields. Cattle were grazing there. There were jute and sugarcane plants here and there. They were tossing their heads in the breeze. I was enjoying the mild jerking of the train and the rhythmic sounds of the wheel. Sometimes the train was crossing a bridge over a river or a canal with a chattering noise. My parents were trying to sleep.
As the train was an express train, it stopped only at a few big stations. At 10 am, we took some light foods that my mother took with her. When the train left Feni, I was fascinated to see the hills and sea of Chittagong. I had seen these beforehand but the vastness of hills and sea always attract me equally. It made my mind indifferent. It seemed to me that, if the journey would never come to an end.
I was so absorbed in enjoying the beauty of the nature that I did not notice when the train entered into the city. At about 2.00 p.m. we reached Chittagong rail station. We got down from the train and met my uncle who was waiting there for us. He became very happy to see us. We reached his house by a taxi. Thus our journey came to an end.
The journey lasted only for a few hours. But it is an evocative event of my life. At times, I recall the journey and my heart leaps up with joy. It will be ever imprinted on my mind and will remain ever fresh in my heart.
