I can't think of a journey I'd LESS like to make
By Boingboing
@boiboing (13153)
Northampton, England
October 12, 2015 2:43pm CST
I'm in Amsterdam this evening and since my Fit Bit was demanding more steps, I decided to walk from Central Station to my hotel. It's about a mile at most but it's very cold because an icy wind was whipping along the river.
On my way, I met three girls from New Zealand, heavily laden down with enormous back packs. They stopped me and asked if I knew where the international bus terminal was. I've walked along that route many times and never seen anything that looked like a bus station.
They showed my their booking confirmations and I realised they were about to take a bus journey all the way from Amsterdam to Krakow in Poland. That means a journey of more than 1200 km and - if all goes well - at least 15 hours on the road.
I felt very happy that I just needed to walk another half hour and I'd be at my destination. I also reflected that with so many cheap airlines these days, I was glad I'd never have to go all that way on a bus. I did some crazy bus journeys in North American in my student days but I'm happy that I don't have to put myself through quite that torture any more.
13 people like this
14 responses
@boiboing (13153)
• Northampton, England
14 Oct 15
@xFiacre My first boss at work went from London to Delhi overland in his student days on a truck. He told outrageous stories of the guy who swallowed his entire stash when he spotted the police as they crossed the border from Pakistan and he apparently turned physically green.
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
13 Oct 15
I know people who would rather take a one day bus ride to their destination than flying for a couple of hours, just 'cause they hate flying. But I also know that some people choose to do that to enjoy the view that they wouldn't get if they choose to go on a plane.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (79571)
• United States
13 Oct 15
wow 15 hours on a bus would be horrible for me
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
15 Oct 15
Actually a bus journey is quite nice.
If I were much younger, i would love that.
The sound of the bus moving is very conducive to sleep, and the slight motion of the bus moving is like a rocking chair.
Now I am not keen even for 6 hours bus trip. My back will ache for days.
@allknowing (130067)
• India
15 Oct 15
Those who wish to watch the topography on the way prefer a bus journey. I have been on such trips but short ones. Our Europe tour started from London. We went by the Euro Star to Brussels where a bus was waiting for us to go to Rotterdam after spending some time at Brussels. All the 6 countries thereafter were managed by bus after spending a few days in each country. And this type of travel by bus never tired us and in fact i truly enjoyed looking around.
@boiboing (13153)
• Northampton, England
15 Oct 15
Yes, if you want to look out of the windows it's a good idea - but not on a night bus.
@allknowing (130067)
• India
15 Oct 15
@boiboing I do understand overnight journey by bus may not be a good choice.
@blitzfrick (2890)
• United States
12 Oct 15
I hope to never travel by bus again, except locally and even then, argh. Nice that these girls showed up so your perspective on your own walk could change. I wish those girls much luck! Their journey(s) will make great stories and memories later in their lives.
1 person likes this
@KnehKnah (3584)
• Philippines
14 Oct 15
You're indeed lucky for having walked just a bit & be at your residence. Also to enjoy plane rides which bring you faster to your destination. In our place? We usually ride a bus, from our city to Manila. And, if you're lucky, you'll be there in 10 hours.
