Travelling is a great and inspiring experience. It is at once instructive and interesting. If we travel second class, a railway journey gives us a true picture of India for the majority of the Indians travel seconds.

I had a great desire t go to Simla. Imagine my joy when I received a letter from my cousin to visit him during the summer vacation! My father gladly allowed me to go.

It was the sticky month of July. The day at last arrived. Our school was closed for two months. I reached home, packed up my articles and left for the railway station. I reached the station twenty minutes before the arrival of the train. There was a great rush at the platform. I had no worries, since I already had reserved seat. I engaged a coolie and made my way to the train. There was a great hustle and bustle. The passengers sat eagerly waiting for the train. After ten minutes, the train steamed in. it was fully packed. But I was lucky enough to get a seat near a window. After ten minutes the guard whistled and waved his green flag. The train started, soon it gathered speed. Our compartment was packed to its capacity. Some passengers were singing devotional song while others were chatting or reading new papers. Them the ticket checker entered and checked our tickets. A young man was found traveling without ticket. He had to pay the fare and the penalty. I looked out of the window. There were green fields on either side. Cattle were grazing. The trees seemed to be running away speed. At last I reached Kalka. I took my lunch and changed for Simla. The train for Simla looked like a toy. It was an interesting sight sees the engine climbing the hill like a serpent. As the rain went higher, I saw tall trees of pine. Houses on hills look very tiny. The train went on a Zigzag path. It passed through many tunnels. The cold increased as the train went higher and higher. After four hours pleasant journey, I reached Simla. My cousin was waiting at the station and received me cheerfully.