Before my marriage I was a frequent traveller on this particular train, It would take just 10 minutes ride from my house to the Kankanady Station at sharp at 12:15Pm She would never fail, her arrival would be felt by a distant rumbling sound announcing that she was approaching a familiar hooting from the train. Travelled rough most of the time, cause the general ladies was always empty exception for festival times, where I had to balance sometimes over bags and sleeping ladies, I still wonder how do they manage to do that, oh ofcourse we had foreigners for company at times.
Some how I managed to get a seat anywhere.This is where I learnt to sit and sleep.They say you need to count sheep to fall asleep, here I was left with no choice but count the stations starting with Surathkal, Udupi, Kundapur, Bhatkal, Honnavar, Ankola, Karwar, Cancona, Madgao - Karmali and at every station a bunch of characters would alight, hurry and finally settle down, but each station a beauty of its own, till my final destination Karmali in North Goa, I have always been transported on time around 5.30-6 Am early morning. I always travel light but I recall my collegue had brought in a Giant Jackfruit for me, and I did take it with me from Kankanady to Karmali.
Most of the journey was in pitch dark, but it would be bright by morning, and watching the crossing of Zuari Bridge was a real treat, What amazes me even till this day, is the moment you enter Goa, the air is filled with the fragrant spices, I have never felt this any other place, the atmosphere itself is unpolluted, the surrounding sceaneary with green foliage is breathtaking.Lots of tunnels to be crossed, these were the times I would pray to almighty to protect me and every one travelling in the train from all harm and danger. Train journey has always been a plesant one for me.