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Lesson 44 Speed and comfort 又快捷又舒适 People, traveling long distances frequently have to decide whetherthey would prefer to go by land, sea, or air. Hardly anyone can positivelyenjoy sitting in a train for more than a few hours. Train compartments soon getcramped and stuffy. It is almost impossible to take your mind off the journey.Reading is only a partial solution, for the monotonous rhythm of the wheelsclicking on the rails soon lulls you to sleep. During the day, sleep comes insnatches. At night, when you really wish to go to sleep, you rarely manage todo so. If you are lucky enough to get a sleeper, you spend half the nightstaring at the small blue light in the ceiling, or fumbling to find your ticketfor inspection. Inevitably you arrive at your destination almost exhausted.Long car journeys are even less pleasant, for it is quite impossible even toread. On motorways you can, at least, travel fairly safely at high speeds, butmore often than not, the greater part of the journey is spent on roads with fewservice stations and too much traffic. By comparison, ferry trips or cruisesoffer a great variety of civilized comforts. You can stretch your legs on thespacious decks, play games, meet interesting people and enjoy goodfood----always assuming, of course, that the sea is calm. If it is not, and youare likely to get sea-sick, no form of transport could be worse. Even if youtravel in ideal weather, sea journeys take a long time. Relatively few peopleare prepared to sacrifice holiday time for the pleasure of travelling by sea. | 
