It often strikes me how a certain strand of memory is triggered by a particular sight or scene or scent or sound. Recently, while running an errand to purchase a tuft of Chandra Mallika flowers (Chrysanthemum), I ran into a gentleman sitting on an elevated spot by the side of a public pool, feeding a school of small fish. I stopped for a while and talked to the gentleman as distant memories of my visit to Somnath & Dwarka in Gujarat came to mind.

From Ahmedabad to Veraval is an overnight trip. You board the train in the evening; so you cannot see the world outside. But something else craves your attention. As the train slips off into the darkness, you don’t notice it immediately. After a while you become aware, if you are a train spotter or rail buff that the swaying motion of the train is a bit different than usual, more comfortable and sleep-inducing.