44 Hours with Nostalgia

There have been numerous travel logs written on several fab destinations around the world, but we forget things in our own backyard. At times the nostalgia of your childhood can pull you towards your own backyard. Such journeys can be quite memorable. For me it was!

My journey started in the evening, on 3rd Feb. I boarded the Rajdhani Express from Bangalore, destined for Nagpur, which comes enroute. The train reached Nagpur at 3:30 pm next day.

My first moment of nostalgia came an hour before I reached the destination . At Sewagram, the train takes a 90 degree turn towards right to step on the Mumbai - Howrah railway route. In my college days, while returning home after toiling for the semester exams, we used to return by the same route and the sight of the train turning 90 degress would enchant us. I have not been able to decipher the reason for it. Perhaps it was because of a feeling that we were then on the same tracks that pass through our hometown.

I stepped down at Nagpur station. The station is a special one. You can find so many people, from all walks of life, from different regions on the station. The station has atleast three trains passing through it at every moment throughout the day. That ensures all the 7 platforms of the railway station are teeming with people.

I had a cup of tea outside the station. My next train, The Gitanjali, was 3 hours later, at 7 pm. I decided to spend this time by city-hiking in some known areas in the city. I took a rick to Sitabuldi. The place has changed a lot over the years, with flyovers, malls, multiplexes etc. I decided to relish myself at the Haldirams flagship outlet. One can get some of the best dry sweets at this place. I packed a bunch of them for my colleagues.

The train arrived bang on time. The sight inside the sleeper coach highlighted a long felt concern of inadequate services in the route. The coach, even being reserved, had more people than it could accomodate.

I befriended one of my co-passengers who happened to be working for a production house making serials. The train was supposed to reach Bilaspur at 1:30 am. I avoided sleeping. The train reached at 2 am. I was in Bilaspur after 4 years. I had spent my most important years here.

I had come to Bilaspur to attend my friend's wedding. I was unaware of its venue. I was put up in Vasant Vihar. It is a beautiful part of the city. I called my friend in the morning, and discovered that the pandals designed next to where I had been staying, were for her wedding. My joy knew no bounds. I visited few places throughout the day in the vicinity. I visited my school as well. The marriage started in a true Chhattisgarhi way. It was nice!

I left immediately after the wedding. Took the Gitanjali to Nagpur from the British made Bilaspur station. I decided to spend the morning at Nagpur station. I boarded the Rajdhani and took off to Bangalore.

To a reader, this might not sound interesting. However, a journey to a place where you have had spent a considerable amount of time can be refreshing. It allows you to take a break from the mundane big city life. And most importantly it gives you the opportunity to have a tryst with Nostalgia. I had  44 hours of it. But I feel I need more...