When travellers turn travel into a treat

Except for their interiors, British trains are not very different from those of India, but the travelling experience in that country is quite distinctive. Travelling, it’s said, puts things in perspective. The truth dawned on me when my wife and I made a rail trip in England.

The difference was evident right from booking the tickets. To my surprise, I discovered that in Britain, train tickets cost far less when bought online instead of the railway station counter. Another interesting thing is that the tariff varies according to days of the week and timings of the day. You have a lot of options to plan your trip to suit your pocket.

Anyhow, having saved the ticket information in my mobile phone, we reached the station. An array of electronic boards flashing arrivals and departures along with routes and platforms extended us a dazzling welcome. I got a copy of the tickets printed as one can only enter or exit the platform by swiping them. Travelling without a ticket is, thus, out of question.

The scene at the platform was very different from what we are familiar with. There were no porters, no hawkers, no pushing and jostling, no chaos or commotion. People were patiently allowing others to pass, alight or board. It was there that Lucknow’s culture of ‘Pehle aap, pehle aap’ was being truly observed.

After storing our luggage, we secured our seats without any hassle. The moment everybody settled down, most of the travellers opened their laptops and began to work. In a short while, the compartment looked like a busy workplace with pin-drop silence. The message flashing in our coach, “Please consider your fellow passengers by keeping noise to a minimum” seemed to be directed at me every time I tried to speak.

I turned my eyes to the window. Nature, of course, fails none. The picturesque view of the lush green grounds, hills and hillocks looked like a masterpiece of art.

Lambs and sheep, cows and calves grazing peacefully appeared to be part of a panoramic painting.

Engrossed in the beauteous bounties of Mother Nature, I paid little attention to the announcements about the approaching stations. However, I came back on earth when the name of Birmingham, our destination, rang in my ears. I jumped from the seat in a hurry even though others remained seated and quite at ease. They moved only when the train was approaching the platform. There were many travellers standing there to board the train, but everybody waited for all the passengers to get down first.

I was enriched in experience and enlightened in understanding. More than trains, it is indeed the travellers who turn travel into a treat. Thoughtful consideration for others and common courtesies towards all can sweeten the experience of any travel or voyage. Courtesy, as goes the maxim, costs nothing, but buys everything.

THERE WERE NO PORTERS, NO HAWKERS, NO JOSTLING OR CHAOS. PEOPLE WERE PATIENTLY ALLOWING OTHERS TO PASS, ALIGHT OR BOARD