Lesson 44
Speed and comfort
Which type of transport does the writer prefer, do you think?
People travelling long distances frequently have to decide whether they would prefer to go by land, sea, or air.
Hardly anyone can positively enjoy sitting in a train for more than a few hours.
Train compartments soon get cramped and stuffy.
It is almost impossible to take your mind off the journey.
Reading is only a partial solution, for the monotonous rhythm of the wheels clicking on the rails soon lull you to sleep.
During the day, sleep comes in snatches.
At night, when you really wish to go to sleep, you rarely manage to do so.
If you are lucky enough to get a sleeper,
you spend half the night staring at the small blue light in the ceiling, or fumbling to find your ticket for inspection.
Inevitably you arrive at your destination almost exhausted.
Long car journeys are even less pleasant, for it is quite impossible even to read.
On motorways you can, at least, travel fairly safely at high speeds,
but more often than not, the greater part of the journey is spent on roads with few service stations and too much traffic.
By comparison, ferry trips or cruises offer a great variety of civilized comforts.
You can stretch your legs on the spacious decks, play games,
meet interesting people and enjoy good food--always assuming, of course, that the sea is calm.
If it is not, and you are likely to get seasick, no form of transport could be worse.