Most of our travel on this trip in 2011 was by sleeper/night train (Paris to Berlin, Prague to Vienna, Vienna to Florence, then back to Paris). Not doing that again.
Getting too old to schlep luggage—and that was ten years ago—, live in very confined spaces without being able to see the world we pass through outside. Not sure what is better, but this is no answer for us.
Then again, we may well not have another opportunity now. The memories, though, live on…most happily…through my pictures.
Personally, I have come to dislike long-distance travel by any affordable means. A private jet would make all the difference. TBH I'm not even that keen on the hour and a bit it takes to take a train from Southampton to London, although now I haven't been able to do it for a year due to Covid lockdowns it has taken on a glow of nostalgia...
The only thing worse than European sleeper trains is the 24-hour car ferry from Portsmouth to Bilbao in an aeroplane-style reclining seat. Never again. Actually, no, worse than that is being stuck at the roadside as night falls, trying to hitch a ride out of Amsterdam in 1971 -- some of those guys are probably still there.
Amazing, how advanced age seems to take the excitement out of traveling! My first solo professional European adventure in 1980 would have been a total nightmare today. I was on the road with a big personal belongings bag (10 day trip), a shoulder camera bag with 2 Nikons, and assortment of lenses, and a bag/box with portable AC Strobe kit, and a tube for tripods/lightstands.
4 comments:
Most of our travel on this trip in 2011 was by sleeper/night train (Paris to Berlin, Prague to Vienna, Vienna to Florence, then back to Paris). Not doing that again.
Getting too old to schlep luggage—and that was ten years ago—, live in very confined spaces without being able to see the world we pass through outside. Not sure what is better, but this is no answer for us.
Then again, we may well not have another opportunity now. The memories, though, live on…most happily…through my pictures.
Personally, I have come to dislike long-distance travel by any affordable means. A private jet would make all the difference. TBH I'm not even that keen on the hour and a bit it takes to take a train from Southampton to London, although now I haven't been able to do it for a year due to Covid lockdowns it has taken on a glow of nostalgia...
The only thing worse than European sleeper trains is the 24-hour car ferry from Portsmouth to Bilbao in an aeroplane-style reclining seat. Never again. Actually, no, worse than that is being stuck at the roadside as night falls, trying to hitch a ride out of Amsterdam in 1971 -- some of those guys are probably still there.
Mike
Amazing, how advanced age seems to take the excitement out of traveling! My first solo professional European adventure in 1980 would have been a total nightmare today. I was on the road with a big personal belongings bag (10 day trip), a shoulder camera bag with 2 Nikons, and assortment of lenses, and a bag/box with portable AC Strobe kit, and a tube for tripods/lightstands.
Ah, but the photo itself! The tracks shining, the multicolored buildings beckoning in the distance, a sunlit horizon . . . Nostalgia triumphant.
Post a Comment