Train travel…
I am actually enjoying my commute to work. I was driving when working at the hospital but now that I am in town (temping for a government department) I leave home just before 7am and catch the train into the city. I didn`t realize how much I missed catching the train (Since I did it most days in Tokyo once we moved to Nakano) because it gives me time to do things like read, journal and listen to music- things that I don`t do so much of at home but used to do a lot of in Tokyo because I caught the train to work each day (Mind you it was a 10 minute train ride instead of the current 40 minute one.)
The Pros-
- Time to do the things mentioned above (Read, journal, listen to music, reply to phone messages, study Japanese flash cards and I am thinking I might start doing some knitting on the train too!)
- Shun will start English school in town next week and we will be able to catch the train in together ( I will get off one stop before him!) but he will probably sleep if he gets a seat and it is hard to get seats together so I might still be able to read etc except on the off chance we can sit together and chat (and get lots of weird looks cos we don`t speak ENGLISH- which people assume that we mustn`t speak English at all then and often say things like “Oh they arn`t speaking English” or ask each other “Why arn`t they speaking English I wonder?” Yes, seriously people say that)
-Almost always get a seat (I did in Tokyo too cos I was traveling in the opposite direction to the main route!)
- Fairly cheap (Cheaper than gas and car maintanance and parking at least)- although $7.20 a day is not very cheap (It is $30.20 I think for the weekly which I am using now)
- Good for the environment (especially since I walk to the station and back home most days too)
- I don`t have to drive
Cons
- People that use all the leg space in the four-seater areas and keep bumping you with their legs, bags etc etc etc.
-Smelly people- I really do wonder how people don`t know they smell. It is usually not so bad in the morning just in the afternoon.
- People that talk on their phones- this just hardly ever happens in Japan and when it does people keep their conversations brief and quiet- not like hear where you hear about how the girl sitting next to you hooked up with some German guy at some backpackers in the city and how “Kylie” cheated on her bf with his best friend etc etc- Seriously if I wanted to hear about that shit I would watch Neighbours!
- No time to listen to the radio (which I loved doing when I drove to work because I never got to listen to the radio in Japan)
- People that leave their rubbish on the seats
- Commute is a little long but would probaby take me longer if I was driving in so I guess it is ok.
I have decided I want to i-phone though. I think it would make my train travel journey so much better- I wonder though if I was to buy one whether I would be able to use it back in Japan? Will have to look into that (and fast cos my mobile broke today and I have no idea why)
How do you get to work, uni etc? What are your pros and cons? If you catch public transport do you use this time to catch up on your hobbies that ften get left behind because you spend too much time on the internet like me?!
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Public transport in Las Vegas leaves a LOT to be desired. I drive because it’s 10 minutes. If I took the bus it would be about an hour and 3 busses, not to mention waiting in the extreme heat (45C in the summer) and the walk, since the bus stops neither in front of my house nor in front of my office. I’d love to be able to take a train, but if the bus is my only option, I’d rather drive.
I take the Tube which is not too pleasant! Not mention quite expensive (I spend around £20 a week for it, not including weekend travel which I might need to top up extra for!).
It takes around 45 mins in total…I walk to the station (about 8 mins, ride there, about 40 mins though can be longer and then a 2 minute walk to the office). Sometimes I take different routes if there is a delay on certain ones. This one is usually quicker (on the Piccadilly line) but it can be really hot and full of tourists.
I now have my routine down to a T and know exactly where to wait on the platform to get optimum seating choice! I;m lucky because my train in the morning is from the first stop on the line so there is usually plenty of seats. In the evenings, it can be OK too if I go to the end of the platform.
We have a big problem with smelly people too. :o(
You brought back many memories of travelling on Queesland Rail Lulu! At least you don’t have to get on at Ormiston with the weirdo rail guard!!! :op
I wish I had a longer commute!! I have a 7 min ferry ride from the terminal across the stree from my house, to Sydney city. Then a 3 min walk to my office. 7 mins isn’t enough time to get stuck into a good book, or even listen to too many songs on my ipod! But I guess I’m also kinda lucky. Means I get some extra ZZZZZZs in the morning!
Great to hear about your new job. Howz it going? When you feel up to it we should meet up for lunch and you can tell me all about it!!!
I’m pretty lucky…my bus ride is only about 25 mins into the city..the yucky part is waiting for it..it’s always late in the mornings..sometimes the buses don’t even show up…and it’s worse in the afternoons coming home. I love using the time i’m on the bus to read or daydream…Having an i-Pod with music to listen to would make it better!
I ride my bike to work, rain, hail or heatwave
Pros: I get a little bit (more) exercise everyday. Good for the environment. I don’t have to worry about traffic or waiting for a bus that’s maybe late, full of smelly people etc.
Cons: I have to shower every morning at work and occassionally I get drenched (maybe 5 times a year). Flat tyres (had a serious one on Monday & ended up walking the bike the rest of the way to work, in the rain…).
btw - I do keep up with your blog, even though I seldom comment
Good luck to Shun starting English school! : )
And LOL about the smelly people thing! Smelly people get me too!