I always travel by Megabus, it’s a personal preference (as it’s bloody cheap). However, the trips are undeniably long. I left Birmingham at around 19:30 and didn’t return to Leeds until 23:00. The main reason for this was the bus stops off at Manchester. At Manchester a woman, whose name I did not catch, got on the bus. She was older than me but not by much, and had travelled to Manchester the night before to see her daughter. Anyway, we got chatting and had a great conversation about our lives from Manchester to Leeds, really made that leg of the trip go significantly faster as the previous Birmingham-Manchester leg I’d been in an isle seat with a person who I didn’t speak a word too.
The weird thing is, I will happily talk to anyone on public transport and have a good long natter, but I can never seem to gain the motivation to introduce myself, I guess the awkward silence is easier to sustain than an awkward introduction, even if the awkward introduction is only temporary.
The woman worked as a councillor, often working with people with a difficult history (orphans, child criminal records, abusive parents, etc…) and it was rather eye opening listening to her talk. She really enjoyed her job even though she stated she’d been physically attacked more than once (even had her ribs broken). One of the main subject topics at the end of the journey was how you can be completely open to strangers but not those close to you, those who care the most are those you admit the least too.
I was back in Leeds for a wedding at 14:00 the next day and I must say, it was a particularly wonderful day. The venue was spectacular and I see that side of my family only a few times a year so it’s great for myself every time I get to see them.
Afterwards we returned home, myself rather more jolly than perhaps would be advised, and the next morning set off to my grandparents for breakfast. It was great to see them and my uncle & aunty, who were only up for the weekend from London with their child. He was a bit nervous around people he didn’t recognise but seeing everyone again was enjoyable. I couldn’t stay there long however, because I was back in the car to visit my mother and sister for a few hours. My sister hasn’t been in the best of health and neither has my niece (though she wasn’t there), so I think she appreciated my visit. I rather enjoyed seeing her myself, and hopefully I’ll be able to Skype here more in the coming term.
And once more I was back on the Megabus, Leeds-Manchester-Birmingham, in a crowded bus surrounded entirely by other students, each with their own weekend story. And then a train, and a walk, and after over 420km, I was back in my room, continuing my work, exhausted, but happy in the knowledge that I was able to spend one weekend in amongst the hectic university life, to visit my family and see those I care for most.
That and get enough free wine over the course of an afternoon to bring down a herd of African Rhinos.
No worries
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