Travel teaches us to understand life

Tanushree Gain Priyanka

Travel is deeply meaningful in people's lives. It teaches us to understand life, satisfies the mind's hunger and offers gratification to the eyes. A journey seems to leave the mind fulfilled. That is why people should set out whenever they get the opportunity. Sometimes, even an ordinary journey can give you a sense of what travel truly means.

Once, I was travelling to Dhaka by launch with my younger sister. The fare for a double cabin on the launch was Tk 3,000. I took the book 'Chander Pahar' and sat on the chair in front of the cabin. The turbulent waves of the river and the cool breeze made the passage of time feel even more intense. Suddenly, a voice floated through the air: 'Md. Zahurul Islam, Md. Zahurul Islam, your father is calling you.' I looked towards the aunt for some time. A brother standing nearby, eating peanuts, said, 'There is still so much left to see.'

It was 7pm. I was feeling thirsty. I told my sister, 'It is evening. Let's have coffee.' I called a member of the launch staff and made the request for coffee clear. After some time, a launch staff member brought two cups of coffee on a tray. The coffee was tasteless, but had an unnecessary amount of sugar. The price of the coffee was as excessive as the sugar. Two cups cost Tk 80. However, passengers are helpless during a journey.

It was the month of Jaishtha. The intensity of the heat had become pronounced. It was 3am. It was no longer possible to stay inside the cabin. The artificial fan seemed busy making friends with the heat. The environment felt somewhat unusual. To overcome the irritation, I opened the door and sat on the chair in front of the cabin. A gentle breeze managed to ease some of the fatigue.

Suddenly, I felt that someone was calling softly, using the name 'Priyanka'. In the darkness and faint moonlight, Rabea's face emerged. At first, she seemed unfamiliar. She was no longer the same as before. Married life and the turmoil of household affairs had dimmed Rabea's natural beauty. We met after eight long years. Some time passed as we reminisced about old memories. Rabea's sister-in-law had had a baby. Rabea was travelling to Dhaka mainly to prove herself as a good daughter-in-law.

Around 5am, the launch settled into its position at the terminal. We slept for a while longer. Around 9am, we made arrangements to travel home. A group of porters came forward to carry the bags. After selecting a particular porter, we left the launch for home. The bustle of people announced the end of the journey.

Every creature on earth is essentially a traveller. We are all eager to travel. Sometimes we set out of necessity, and sometimes without any particular reason. It is this setting out without necessity that we call travel. Yet, from any journey, people can enrich their lives by learning from the experience.

Author: Master's (Management), Government Brojomohun College, Barishal