Today, someone liked an old post of mine about buying a book last summer. It brought back a flood of memories and made me realize how much I miss traveling.
We used to travel mostly by train. I’ve even visited nearby countries by rail. As AC once said, there’s a certain joy in watching the passing greenery, castles, and quietly observing people along the way. These days, though, we mostly drive—and somehow, it feels different.
There was a time when I took the train every month to my office. It was a long journey—about 6.5 hours—but I never got bored. I would read, watch movies, or sometimes strike up conversations with co-passengers. If I was lucky, they spoke English. Other times, I tried my broken German with locals, and somehow, we still managed to connect. Those conversations, simple as they were, made the journey feel lighter.
Germans truly enjoy the outdoors. On days when there was a football match, the train would be filled with fans in jerseys, holding beer or wine, buzzing with excitement. It was impossible not to smile at that energy.
And then there were my colleagues. Every Wednesday, we had Brötchenrunde—a little tradition where we pooled in money, and one person brought breakfast for everyone. Different types of bread, spreads, sometimes even cakes—it introduced me to so many varieties I would never have tried otherwise. Germany has over 300 types of bread, and while I still leaned towards my favorite croissants, these mornings were always special. Some colleagues even brought homemade cakes, which made it feel even more personal.
Summers were for team outings—funfairs, circuses, or just spending time together outside work. I miss those moments, the kind you don’t plan too much but end up remembering the most.
Frequent travel also taught me independence. I still remember how anxious I used to feel when trains were delayed or canceled, especially late in the evening. But over time, I learned to stay calm and find alternatives. Once, I even reached home at 2:30 a.m. 😅—something I would have never imagined doing before.
I explored supermarkets, tried shopping on my own, and slowly grew more comfortable navigating things independently. Sundays became my little ritual—I’d visit my favorite Indian restaurant, smile at the familiar “Deviji, kaise aap hain?” and enjoy a comforting plate of paneer chilli.
And at home, my husband would always ask what I wanted for dinner. His cooking experiments became something I looked forward to. Today, he makes one of the best veg biryanis I’ve ever had.
At the office, we had a small pantry for tea and coffee. Those short breaks often turned into unexpected conversations with people from different teams. My attempts at speaking German continued there too. And I still remember the security staff, who would patiently communicate with me using the funniest gestures 😄
This summer feels different—gloomy, quieter, almost like it’s missing something. Maybe it’s the weather, or maybe it’s me missing those journeys.
But perhaps it’s not just about the trains or the places.
It’s about who I was during those journeys—curious, independent, open to conversations, and quietly finding my way.
And maybe, someday soon, I’ll find my way back—not just to those tracks, but to that version of me again. ✨
This post is a part of BlogchatterA2Z Challenge 2026
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Chai and Chatter Chronicles 