International Travel

Most people like to travel the world and the globe is getting smaller all the time. I like International travel as much as anyone and I've been lucky enough to see a lot of different countries. I know it sounds hypocritical but I do worry about the environmental damage that's being doing as a result of all this whizzing around. Air travel in particular is harmful and it's increasing all the time. My solution would be to limit the number of domestic flights at least. We have to do something or international travel will take our earth beyond saving.

Instead of having to get to our destination in record time, it would be nice to savor the journey sometimes. Often, the journey is as good as getting there. Before passenger airplanes, people used to travel at a leisurely pace. Forget airport delays, wouldn't it be nice to cross continents on a sleeper train. How romantic that would be. You can see all the scenery close up and feel like a real adventurer. International travel on a steam train across Europe would be perfect.

Even a bus journey across America and Mexico would be a good experience. I've always wanted to cross from coast to coast on a Greyhound. It's better than seeing everything from eight miles up. A road trip would be great too, stopping at diners on the freeway and meeting interesting people on the way. International travel should be a relaxing time.

A lot of people go on cruises. For most, it's the vacation of a lifetime but some people go on them regularly. They are expensive, but if you can afford one, it's a great means of international travel. They are a floating hotel with the highest standard of facilities. I've been told you are bound to put on weight on a cruise because the food is so good and plentiful. You can always jog round the deck a few times to lose the calories.

The security restrictions have obviously hit air travelers the most. Fortunately, most people have not been deterred from international travel, despite the inconvenience. There are still lots of places that I want to visit, including places of wilderness. I fear that the last, few truly wild places are quickly disappearing. I hope that some areas are left in peace, without an airport being built. Just because we can build runways everywhere doesn't mean that we should.