I have to admit that the UK has a lot of conveniences we do not have in the US which I am really starting to appreciate. The train system really is amazing and makes traveling so easy. I would love to just hop on a train and go to the beach for a weekend. I mean I love my car, but I love being chauffeured around better. And this way no one has to deal with driving on long trips. Plus having cheap flights like Ryan Air (even though it was an interesting experience this past weekend traveling on it to Ireland) is terribly convenient and affordable. Maybe though, I am just traveling over here because that is what you do in Europe, and I don’t think about doing it in the States as much I truly could. I travel on family trips, vacations, and visiting friends at other colleges but not to famous cities in America or the historical landmarks with friends just for fun. But back to the point of how traveling is so easy, the variety of public transportations and the fact that people actually use them here has got to be much better for the environment. And I think that is seen by the fact that the air seems to be cleaner here, at least in my opinion.
Another example of the conveniences is that you never see the price before sales tax, so it's so nice walking up to a counter and knowing exactly what you're going to pay. This goes along with the one and two dollar coins which I have found I actually like a lot better than bills. They are heavier, but I think they have been convenient. Plus, they have so many easy grab and go sandwich places which I really wish we had back in the states. Lunch is just a hectic time of day usually, so these places would come in handy. The variety of great sandwiches is fantastic too. I feel like we have way too many sit-down, chain restaurants back home.
The last convenience goes back to the first observation I made in Oxford of how compact the town is and everything I’ve needed thus far is in walking distance. I knew they were a pedestrian culture, but I didn’t think I would like it as much as I do. Basically I have had a ton of moments where I’ve thought “I could get use to this” or “I wish we had this back in the states” which I was not expecting!
I think you make a great point Kirsten! Not to sound like a Debbie Downer but since I have arrived in Oxford I have found myself dwelling on the things I miss about home! The warm weather, the large and cold glasses of water, Chick-Fil-A, the pancakes (kind of random, I know, but they are my favorite food in the world and no where to be found around here!) However, your post made me think about what I really like here that we don't have in the United States! Your are definiltey right about the methods of transportation... I mean we have trains in America too but why don't people use them as much as they do here to travel and visit various places? I also love the sandwiches here! At home when you are trying to grab a quick bite to eat you usually ask yourself.. McDonald's or Wendy's? But here you can just run in and grab a great gourmet sanwich for a few pounds! Way to get me thinking positively!
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