Usually, Sundays are all the same. Football. Running. Me on my computer, fingers typing rapid fire on the articles I’ve yet to finish for the week. But this week we went on a little road trip… To the gas station.
It amazes me how different the driving culture is between the US and the UK. In the US you just hop in a car and drive to wherever you need to go. To the point where you are so accustomed to it you find yourself backing out of your driveway only to pull into your neighbors’ drive to borrow that cup of sugar. (Do people still do that by the way? Borrow sugar?) In the UK on the other hand, you walk miles to get to where you’re going. Drive? To the grocery store? But it’s only a seven mile hike! Up hill. Both ways. It’ll be fun! (Been there. Done that. And trust… Blisters from carrying heavy grocery bags does not a happy girl make.)
I can appreciate both sides… I really enjoy walking places. Living close enough to everything to be able to use your own legs as transportation. However, nothing beats a Sunday drive, windows rolled down, music blasting. It’s the perfect time for thinking and I always manage to have epiphanies while driving. I think it’s because your mind is focused on the task (maneuvering a hunk of metal down the highway at unbelievable speeds) that you are able to solve problems because you aren’t thinking about them. (Didn’t Einstein do something like that? Carry out menial tasks in order to find the solution to some complex problem? Must. Google.)
In the US, a car is a necessity. Unless you live in some big city. But in the UK I feel it is more of a luxury. I get around perfectly fine and I’ve never owned a [UK] car. The public transportation is just so much better in comparison. Plus, St Andrews is so little I hardly think a car is needed to get you to and from Westport. (Har. Har.)
What about you? Do you like driving? Or do you prefer walking?
Our short drive on Sunday was only just down the road for an Icee break. But it happened to be at that wonderful time of the evening when the sun is setting and it covers everything in a golden glow. My favorite time to get out my camera and shoot.
Enjoy your Monday!
