TRAVELLING

Millions of people all over the world spend their holidays travelling. They travel to see other countries and continents, modern cities and the ruins of ancient towns, they travel to enjoy picturesque places, or just for a change of a scene. It is always interesting to discover new things, different ways of life, to meet different people, to try different food, to listen to different musical rhythms.

Those who live in the country like to go to a big city and to spend their time visiting museums and art galleries, looking at shop windows and dining at exotic restaurants. City dwellers usually like a quiet holiday by the sea or in the mountains, with nothing to do but walk and lie in the sun.

If we are fond of travelling, we see and learn a lot of things that we can never see or learn at home, though we may read about them in books and newspapers and see pictures of them on TV. The best way to study geography is to travel, and the best way to get to know and understand the people is to meet them in their own homes.

Most travellers and holiday-makers take a camera with them and take pictures of everything that interests them - the sights of a city, old churches and castles, views of mountains, lakes, valleys, plains, waterfalls, forests; different kinds of trees, flowers and plants, animals and birds.

Later, perhaps years later, they will be reminded by the photos of the happy time they have had.

People travel by train, by plane, by ship and by car.

All means of travelling have their advantages and disadvantages. And people choose one of them according to their plans and destinations.

Of course, travelling by air is the fastest and the most convenient way, but it is the most expensive as well. 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.

Travelling by sea is popular mostly for pleasure trips. On board large ships and small river boats people can visit foreign countries and different places of interest within their own country. Voyages are very popular today as it is so exciting to feel the deck of the ship under your feet, to see the rise and fall of the waves, to feel the fresh sea or river wind blowing in your face and hear the cry of sea-gulls. But they are dangerous because of bad weather, specially a storm.

As for me, I prefer travelling by car. I think it’s very convenient. You needn’t book your tickets in advance. You needn’t carry heavy suitcases. You can stop wherever you wish and spend at any place as much time as you like.

Every summer my friend and I go to one of the wonderful lakes which are so many in our country. We place ourselves in a tent in the forest, near the lake and enjoy fresh air and the sun. As a rule, we make new friends there, play volley-ball or football, swim and sunbathe. We usually spend there a week and enjoy much. Then on our way home we stop in the towns and visit their places of interest, take photos and receive wonderful impressions. Each year we change our route and learn something new and interesting.

But three years ago, when I did not have a car, my parents, my brother and I went to the seaside for holiday. We travelled by train. Of course, we bought our return tickets in advance as it is very difficult to get a ticket for a train to the South in summer. We occupied the whole compartment. It took us 40 hours to get to Sochi. During our journey we were speaking, reading newspapers, playing chess. Our express train ran to schedule and we arrived in Sochi in the morning. As we had not reserved accomodation we left our luggage in the luggage-office and started looking for a room. In an hour we stayed in a hotel and spent wonderful two weeks at the seaside. We enjoyed our journey.