Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Excursions
My friend Wim showed me a blog the other day, written by two Canadians who recently moved to London. They've not been there long, and it's a bit like the UK version of what I write. Except that they update theirs far more often, and have a more elequent way of writing.
I've been noticing that whenever they get a spare weekend, they leap onto a cheap flight and head to somewhere in Europe, on the basis of wanting to see as much as possible while they're there.
This got me thinking. "If I lived a long way from home, I'd want to do that. I wouldn't just stay in the house, I'd go all over the place."
Errr... reality check. I am living a long way from home, and I am not travelling enough. So once my UK trip is out of the way, it's time to embrace the cheap flights of Southwest Airlines and explore America. I've been here 2 years, so it's about time.
Ticked off the list: Chicago, Austin, San Antonio.
Still on the list: Everywhere else, and a repeat visit to New York.
Progress reports as and when they happen.
I've been noticing that whenever they get a spare weekend, they leap onto a cheap flight and head to somewhere in Europe, on the basis of wanting to see as much as possible while they're there.
This got me thinking. "If I lived a long way from home, I'd want to do that. I wouldn't just stay in the house, I'd go all over the place."
Errr... reality check. I am living a long way from home, and I am not travelling enough. So once my UK trip is out of the way, it's time to embrace the cheap flights of Southwest Airlines and explore America. I've been here 2 years, so it's about time.
Ticked off the list: Chicago, Austin, San Antonio.
Still on the list: Everywhere else, and a repeat visit to New York.
Progress reports as and when they happen.
Dallas Driving
The driving habits of the locals often intrigue me. However, last week, I enjoyed a new experience.
I'd been to the gym. I like to go late at night - it's almost empty, and I don't feel as intimidated. So, at 2am I was driving home along I75, the equivalent to the M56. Ahead of me, was a car coming the other way along the highway...
...on my side of the road!
Oddly, this didn't freak me out at first. They were driving on the outside lane, I was on the inside lane. I flashed my headlights a few times as I passed them, and watched in my rear view mirror as they slowed down, turned around, and started driving the correct way.
Of course, in hindsight, it could have been a far more serious situation. And is it just coincidence that the bars have a 2am chuck-out time?
I'd been to the gym. I like to go late at night - it's almost empty, and I don't feel as intimidated. So, at 2am I was driving home along I75, the equivalent to the M56. Ahead of me, was a car coming the other way along the highway...
...on my side of the road!
Oddly, this didn't freak me out at first. They were driving on the outside lane, I was on the inside lane. I flashed my headlights a few times as I passed them, and watched in my rear view mirror as they slowed down, turned around, and started driving the correct way.
Of course, in hindsight, it could have been a far more serious situation. And is it just coincidence that the bars have a 2am chuck-out time?
