He Smiled and Gave Me a Vegemite Sandwich

[dotinthesky]

OzBus is a new travel company that provides a regular overland bus service between London and Sydney, Australia. The first bus departed on 16 September, carrying a mixture of people, including a writer from The Guardian. Every two weeks she'll be writing a column, documenting the trip. Her first piece is here.

I feel like signing up for one of their trips! The idea of sitting on my ass for 84 days is not compelling, but the sights and the adventures shared with a group of people make me think that it could be one of those "life-changing" type of trips, where you make friends for life and discover new things about yourself (i.e. the endurance to sit on your ass for 84 days). It's also a little bit like being a Big Brother contestant, only you don't have a public baying for your blood, nor fellow bedmates as thick as shit. And no money at the end of the rainbow. And no cameras... Ok, I guess it's not that similar to Big Brother.

Visiting dozens of countries; camping under the stars; meeting people from all over the world... it's a universe away from this grey London outside my window.

Comments

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

I think the camping bit would be the least of worries - it's all pre-planned and organised, so it's not like you'll be beating bushes to find a place for your tent! I'm more concerned with the amount of sitting around. It's a killer on my back.

On the other hand, in a bus full of people you are friends with, there's that ease to stand up and stretch, get someone to give you a back massage, etc. I bet lots of marriages will come out of the OzBus!

[canudiglett]

I don't like not having access to running water and proper toilets and smelling bad. (You'd think I'd have got used to it after all these years going to Slimelight, but no!) The travelling would suck a bit (I got a bus from Sharm El Sheikh to Cairo and back, 9 hours each way, it was awful!) but it would be alright if all the people were your new best friends.

£3750 though! If I win the lottery I'll buy us both a ticket!

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Let's just put it on our credit cards and think about paying it when we get back. ;-)

[canudiglett]

You have a credit card with a £3750 limit?

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Yes, I do! But I'm also unemployed and on the dole. Perhaps it's not such a good idea right now...

[canudiglett]

Anyone would think they want you to get into debt...