Topic for discussion: Travelling

Travelling

Thousands of people spend their holidays travelling. They travel by train, bus, motorcycle or in their own car. They go cruising on the Volga, the Black Sea. They hike in the dense forests of Siberia. They climb mountains. They enjoy the beauty of snow-covered mountains and blue glaciers, of sunny valleys and vast forests.

A lot of people travel in their own cars. Beautiful pine forests and silvery birches, picturesque rivers and numerous lakes attract lovers of nature. But people travel not only to enjoy picturesque places, but also to see ancient monuments and other places of cultural and historical interest.

It should be noted that travelling as a way of learning has a long tradition. In the past travelling was the final stage of the education of aristocrats. It is very useful to visit different countries and get familiar with different cultures. People today are travelling far more than they ever used to. In the past people did not travel so much as we do today; they set sail in search of new lands and trade routes. Now a person travels in order to learn more about the culture of the country he is visiting and compare the real life of the people with the information given in the books. Sometimes the reality and the books do not coincide. The information given in the books does not often reflect the reality of the day. For example, the pictures of the great painters given in the albums do not show the size, colour or emotion of the paintings. That is why it is better to see paintings, sculpture and architecture in the original. Travelling is indispensable for learning foreign languages. Pupils go to different countries to learn the chosen language. In all European countries there are a lot of summer schools. They are not expensive, but are very useful. The effect is great. After studying at such schools pupils can speak English more fluently. They do not have a language barrier any more. They can establish contacts with people easier. Travelling is very popular today. The most fantastic wishes are put into life due to modern technologies. Millions of people move from their own countries. By mountain skiing, flying into outerspace, feeding sharks or just sight seeing people explore both themselves and the world around them. Travelling, going from one place to another, gives a person a kind of social experience.

As it has already been mentioned people travel by car, train, plane, ship, on foot.

Hiking is becoming very popular. People like to spend their days off in the country. There are picturesque places with forests, lakes and rivers near every town, it is pleasant to spend a day chatting, joking and singing with friends on a river bank, a lakeshore or round а сamp fire in a forest, having a good time and a good rest. Happy, they return home to plan now hikes for the coming weekend.

Travelling by air has some advantages of course. It is convenient and much quicker.

Before you get on board the plane you have your luggage registered. It is weighed and labelled. You do not take your luggage with you, only a small bag, perhaps. Before the flight you can watch the planes taking off and landing.

Then you hear your flight announced and the passengers are invited to board the plane and take their seats. The stewardess greets the passengers and shows them to their seats. When the plane takes off, she gives the passengers all the information about the flight, about the speed and the altitude at which the plane will be flying. She asks the passengers to fasten their seat belts and not to smoke when the plane takes off. Then she offers them some mineral water, lemonade and sweets.

During the flight the passengers do whatever they like. Some of them read, others sleep or chat or, looking out, enjoy the beautiful scenes. Occasionally the plane sways very gently up and down or from side to side, giving the scene a strangely unreal quality. You watch fascinated.

Sometimes you can see the land below. It looks like a topographical map. You reach your destination in a few hours and realize all the advantages of traveling by air.