Travelling

People have travelled since the earliest days of the human history. In primitive times they didn’t travel for pleasure. They travelled on foot and their journeys were long, tiring and often dangerous. Later they travelled not from necessity, but for the joy and excitement of seeing and experiencing new things. Travelling has now become a highly organized business. There are cars and splendid roads, express trains, huge ships and jet airliners, all of which provide us with comforts and security.

Modern life is impossible without travelling. One can travel by air, by rail, by sea or by road. The choice of the means of travelling depends on its purpose. If you go on a business trip you had better go by airplane. Some people are scared of flying. Planes make them nervous. Air transport is really safer compared to road transport. Travelling by air has many advantages; it is convenient and much faster than travelling by car, train or sea. It saves you time, but it doesn’t save money. Distances more than 2000 km can now be covered by modern passenger planes on non-stop flights without landing to refuel.

Before you get on board the plane you have your luggage registered. It is weighed and labelled. You are not allowed to take bulky luggage with you. Before the flight you have to spend some time at the airport. In the hall of the airport there are a lot of people waiting for boarding the plane. Some people like watching the planes taking off and landing. Then you hear your flight announced and the passengers are invited to board the plane and take their seats.

The airplane armchairs are very cosy, and they are equipped with safety belts which must be fastened during both take-off and landing. Sometimes the order to fasten the belts may be given during the flight. When all the passengers are on board and when the captain and his crew are ready in the cockpit, the plane moves to the end of the runway. Finally, permission is received from the control tower and the plane moves faster and faster and finally takes off.

When the plane takes off, the stewardess gives the passengers all the information about the flight. She asks the passengers to fasten seat-belts and not to smoke during the flight. The stewardesses are usually very amiable and cater to the passengers' wants and needs. If you want something during the flight, you are to press a button with a pictogram of a hostess of the air, and she will immediately come to your help. During the flight the passengers do whatever they like – some of them read, others sleep or look through the porthole at the beautiful scenery. Sometimes you can see the land below which looks like a map.

When you reach your place of destination in a few hours you realize all the advantages of travelling by air. It is only unpleasant thing about that kind of travelling is that during take-off and landing ears hurt a little. Some people chew a gum to relieve this little discomfort. Sometimes yawning and swallowing helps.

Railway transport is still one of the cheapest ways of travelling. But such journeys are usually long and tiresome. Trains stop at many stations and are often delayed. It is usually stuffy in the cars. There are two or four berths in a compartment. Many people prefer to travel on a lower berth with the face to the engine.

Travelling by train is slower than by plane, but it has its advantages. You can see much more interesting places of the country you are travelling through. Modern trains have very comfortable seats. There are also sleeping cars and dining cars which make even the longest journey enjoyable. Speed, comfort and safety are the main advantages of trains and planes. That is why many people prefer them to all other means.

Many people prefer travelling by sea for pleasure because it is very comfortable. One may travel either by sea or by river on board a sea liner or a river cruise ship. If the weather is fine you can enjoy the fresh air and the picturesque banks. A sea-voyage is very pleasant. However, if the sea is rough, some passengers are not much of sailors; they suffer from sea-sickness. Those who are not afraid of the rough sea, can stay up on deck and walk up and down the deck in any weather but storm. Ships usually reach the port of destination on time according to their schedule.

Many people like to travel by car. The advantages of this way of spending a holiday are that you can plan your trip. You don’t have to buy a ticket and you are not afraid of missing your train or airplane. But at the same time you are to think about many other things. For example, how to repair your car if it breaks down or if a tire is flat.

At present, taking into account travelling expenditures which are inevitable, no matter how you choose to travel, many our compatriots think that the best way of travelling is hiking. Many families are fond of hiking which is becoming very popular nowadays. There are picturesque places with forests, lakes and rivers near the city. Some people travel not only to enjoy these places but also to see ancient monuments and other places of cultural and historical interest.