Note from Jami:
At long last, I’ve been able to do a little travelling around England. To document this I thought about doing a travel diary in actual hard copy form but I think I’m going to just use this space instead as it serves a couple of purposes. I get to do the travel diary but can add photos and such digitally and also I can think more about writing for this blog.
Part of my lack of writing here has been that I don’t feel like I have much to write about. It’s not really true, as there are plenty of things going on in my mind and life and even some that might make a decent blog post. However, my job, which involves writing B2B marketing content, has sort of drained me of creativity. So, hopefully, this will give me something to write about. It also might be something fun for people to read (fingers crossed).
When I moved to London (the first time) to study for my Master’s degree, I decided to do my best to write about London. I still intend to do that but it’s time to go further afield and explore what the UK and Europe have to offer. I hope you enjoy the journey with me. (Note: There might be occasions when I revert back to just stuff that’s on my mind because I enjoy the lack of rules to this blog.)
So, let’s begin…
A thing for trains
When it comes to travel, I think I’ve found my favourite mode of transportation. Trains.
I spent the first 40-some years of my life living in the suburbs of the United States. Public transport has always been a bit wanting in the areas I lived so a car was a necessity. I’ve been driving since I was 16 but I’ve never really liked it. It’s just how I had to get around.
While I don’t like driving, I really dislike being a passenger. Admittedly, I have some control issues and being in a car while someone else is driving cranks up my anxiety. I’m talking sweaty palms and a racing heart. There have been a couple of times when I had to stop myself from trying to jump out of the car because it felt like a safer thing to do. It’s not good.
Since moving back to London, I’ve been in a car maybe four times (two being Ubers). I haven’t driven in more than four years and I’m pleased as punch about that. Happily, there are other ways to get around in London and outside of London.
I love trains. Again, it may be from my very car-centric existence in the US. Before the big move, I could count the number of times I took a train anywhere on one hand and that’s including the cogwheel railway at Pike’s Peak in Colorado.
Now, train travel (even within greater London) is normal. And, every single time I get on a train, it’s exciting. I love trains so much that we took a train to York to visit the National Railway Museum a few weeks ago. I’ll tell you about that in a separate post.
As I plan to travel more and add to my mental list of places I want to explore, I know there may be a car journey or two in the future. But, the plan is to take the train and the occasional airplane, when necessary, as much as possible.
That’s all for now. Keep checking back to read more about my adventures.
On My Mind 