<div>Throughout the four days of our trip to Kerala, the hit Marathi song Zing Zing Zingaat must have been played close to 80 times. Every time it was played, be it in the train or the bus, it was on loop for at least four times. Strangely, I could enjoy it at every repetition. Not because I am a big fan of the song, but because the students danced to the beats with such energy. Their enthusiasm almost always rubs off on us, the faculty members, whenever we travel long distances with them. Students breathe a fresh lease of life into long journeys, there is never a moment of boredom.<div><br /></div><div>Sharing storiesIf travelling solo is for the soul, travelling in groups is for the heart. And the mind. There’s the warmth of companionship and yet, you can always plug in your earphones and look out the window if you need some alone time. People open up while travelling. They share stories. I have come to know some of my friends and acquaintances better during long journeys.</div><div><br /></div><div>Friends borrow stoles to get respite from the sun. You look for your sunglasses frantically and find them perched on a third friend’s head. Someone in the group picks up your bag as you rush to board the bus or train, and there’s always that one friend who packs light but ends up sharing your load grudgingly.</div><div><br /></div><div>The joy of potluck The punctual one of the lot wakes everyone up and makes sure you’re right on schedule. Travelling in groups also means you get more choice in food and beverages. Bachelors share flavourful chutney sandwiches while the grown-ups ones bring </div><div><br /></div><div>rotis and sabzi. On a trip to Hubballi, one of my friends had huge containers of steaming hot biryani delivered to us from a famous hotel. I have some friends who always carry an assortment of pickles, chutneys, fried papads and supari on trips. You laugh at their picky behaviour but somewhere, you enjoy it all. Trains provide the perfect ambience for a round or two of antakshari or scrabble as fellow passengers quietly bear your loud shrieks and high-fives.</div><div><br /></div><div>Knowing colleagues betterTravelling with business partners or colleagues is very interesting. One starts noticing their baggage, their attire and even their sleeping gear. The boss who is always seen in full suits looks fresh in a casual t-shirt and jeans while another colleague earns some admiration for her impressive travel kit. You get talking and get to know people better. Their childhood, struggles, experiences, anecdotes, opinions, all come as a revelation. Travel with colleagues a couple of times, and you get more comfortable with them at work.</div><div><br /></div><div>Fun with family Travelling with relatives is the most enjoyable. The elders scramble to pay for your snacks, bhel and ice creams, while the kids eat endlessly. I remember those long journeys with my extended family to temples or weddings. The womenfolk engrossed in gossip; the kids tucked in between, having a gala in all the chaos; while the men chat in spurts and stare out the windows the rest of the time.</div><div><br /></div><div>The group provides them the luxury of being themselves since the responsibilities are shared. Bags and trolleys are hauled by the young ones, while the kids behave like horses let loose. Family issues are discussed threadbare, a problem child becomes the subject of much debate and concerns of impending marriages, education or business problems come to fore as members of the group simply begin to think out loud. </div><div><br /></div><div>People are at their best behaviour while travelling. And yet, they are most vulnerable while travelling in groups. They strive to be acceptable, not irritate anyone and appear friendly. They take special efforts to collect some jokes and pass comments like it’s a contest.</div><div><br /></div><div>A special bond is forged with the people you travel with. Their strengths and vulnerabilities are revealed in the course of the journey and you end up feeling a strange sense of kinship with them.</div><div><br /></div><div>Jibes, repartees and banter are the reason groups manage to enjoy travelling together. People are more accommodating, liberal and helpful during travels. It is seen during moments of despair when someone loses a luggage or falls ill. Marathon gossips, songs, shared music with phones and iPods and community meals add to the joy. A small journey becomes a miniature life.</div></div>
<div>Throughout the four days of our trip to Kerala, the hit Marathi song Zing Zing Zingaat must have been played close to 80 times. Every time it was played, be it in the train or the bus, it was on loop for at least four times. Strangely, I could enjoy it at every repetition. Not because I am a big fan of the song, but because the students danced to the beats with such energy. Their enthusiasm almost always rubs off on us, the faculty members, whenever we travel long distances with them. Students breathe a fresh lease of life into long journeys, there is never a moment of boredom.<div><br /></div><div>Sharing storiesIf travelling solo is for the soul, travelling in groups is for the heart. And the mind. There’s the warmth of companionship and yet, you can always plug in your earphones and look out the window if you need some alone time. People open up while travelling. They share stories. I have come to know some of my friends and acquaintances better during long journeys.</div><div><br /></div><div>Friends borrow stoles to get respite from the sun. You look for your sunglasses frantically and find them perched on a third friend’s head. Someone in the group picks up your bag as you rush to board the bus or train, and there’s always that one friend who packs light but ends up sharing your load grudgingly.</div><div><br /></div><div>The joy of potluck The punctual one of the lot wakes everyone up and makes sure you’re right on schedule. Travelling in groups also means you get more choice in food and beverages. Bachelors share flavourful chutney sandwiches while the grown-ups ones bring </div><div><br /></div><div>rotis and sabzi. On a trip to Hubballi, one of my friends had huge containers of steaming hot biryani delivered to us from a famous hotel. I have some friends who always carry an assortment of pickles, chutneys, fried papads and supari on trips. You laugh at their picky behaviour but somewhere, you enjoy it all. Trains provide the perfect ambience for a round or two of antakshari or scrabble as fellow passengers quietly bear your loud shrieks and high-fives.</div><div><br /></div><div>Knowing colleagues betterTravelling with business partners or colleagues is very interesting. One starts noticing their baggage, their attire and even their sleeping gear. The boss who is always seen in full suits looks fresh in a casual t-shirt and jeans while another colleague earns some admiration for her impressive travel kit. You get talking and get to know people better. Their childhood, struggles, experiences, anecdotes, opinions, all come as a revelation. Travel with colleagues a couple of times, and you get more comfortable with them at work.</div><div><br /></div><div>Fun with family Travelling with relatives is the most enjoyable. The elders scramble to pay for your snacks, bhel and ice creams, while the kids eat endlessly. I remember those long journeys with my extended family to temples or weddings. The womenfolk engrossed in gossip; the kids tucked in between, having a gala in all the chaos; while the men chat in spurts and stare out the windows the rest of the time.</div><div><br /></div><div>The group provides them the luxury of being themselves since the responsibilities are shared. Bags and trolleys are hauled by the young ones, while the kids behave like horses let loose. Family issues are discussed threadbare, a problem child becomes the subject of much debate and concerns of impending marriages, education or business problems come to fore as members of the group simply begin to think out loud. </div><div><br /></div><div>People are at their best behaviour while travelling. And yet, they are most vulnerable while travelling in groups. They strive to be acceptable, not irritate anyone and appear friendly. They take special efforts to collect some jokes and pass comments like it’s a contest.</div><div><br /></div><div>A special bond is forged with the people you travel with. Their strengths and vulnerabilities are revealed in the course of the journey and you end up feeling a strange sense of kinship with them.</div><div><br /></div><div>Jibes, repartees and banter are the reason groups manage to enjoy travelling together. People are more accommodating, liberal and helpful during travels. It is seen during moments of despair when someone loses a luggage or falls ill. Marathon gossips, songs, shared music with phones and iPods and community meals add to the joy. A small journey becomes a miniature life.</div></div>