STOP. LOOK. LISTEN.

Thanks to http://europe.mordac.org/index_2002.php for the photos. Yeah I don't know them, but I couldn't resist. Bad me, I know, I know.

You may be wondering, or even WORRYING about us. What, you scream feverishly, are you going to DO to entertain yourselves during the long hours spent on trains during your trip?! HAVE YOU EVEN THOUGHT ABOUT THAT?

Well, yes. We have. We're thinking of books to read (see our wishlists further down the page), I'm going to crack out a few thrilling mini travel games (check ME!), and of course any spare minute will be spent plugged into every 21st century audiophile's saviour: the iPod. Mmm. I can't live without mine, especially during long journeys. Or even short journeys. There's something so right about rolling down the road in a bus, or gliding along in a train, or even walking along on your own two feet that complements the beat of your favourite songs. To me, travelling and music fit together like pieces from a jigsaw, or:

• club beats and dancing feet
• being cosy in bed when there's a storm outside
• coffee and newspapers/books and/or peoplewatching
• turning your alarm off and going back to sleep
  

Buses and trains are best for music, especially when you have a window seat and an amazing landscape view, and you can just sit still and ponder. I find I drift into a pensive own-world, which probably means that I freak people out as they get onto the bus by staring at them with my brain on vacation. Usually though I just stare out of the window and think about things, undisturbed. It's the best place to be.


These videos seem to capture some of what I mean (though they can get a bit pretentious..):

or this one

or the best night travelling music from Burial - try this

and watch out for some tracks on my mixtape.

In summary, music provides a soundtrack to my life: you probably have your own soundtrack too. When I listen to music I love, it can complement or change my mood, can make me feel amazing or comfort me when I'm not feeling great, or bring back memories of good times. Perhaps I should read a book I've been meaning to for a long time and find out why:


In keeping with being an anthropologist I'm already reading this other one by Mithen too:

So what are our soundtracks for this trip? We decided to let you listen to a sample of the music we're likely to have on heavy rotation during our bon voyage by making little "mixtapes" for you to listen to. Possibly while you're reading our blog. Now wouldn't that be civilised and lovely? Have a look for a little teddy bear with speakers and an oldy-fashionedy tape on this page - click for sweet musique, a digital serenade. Well that's Mojo's mixtape, hopefully you'll like some of mine too. And keep your ear to the ground/speaker as the content of our tapes will change (mine definitely will). Hope you enjoy.

“Music, the greatest good that mortals know,
And all of heaven we have below.”
Joseph Addison (he definitely got it right)

p.s. we are soon to post on buying train tickets... and our sidebar link is almost up on STA travelbuzz...

Meg