Regular

The White Cliffs of Dover

One of the comments on my 'green' post a few days ago was from Anvilcloud. He is a regular commenter (thank you by the way) and this time part of his comment went as follows: Do you like the more regular routine of this job? Do you think you will miss some of the trips you used to take?

The Little Mermaid in Copenhagen

When I was working in the Netherlands I was a tourbus or a coach driver. Meaning that I had some tours abroad as well as the more regular school runs. I loved my job, but the touring part of it was mostly gone and the regular school runs became quite a prominent feature in my work. Besides, I wanted to move away. So, when the choice was finally made to move to Norway (in Canada I wouldn't have been able to get a job as a busdriver, for some silly governmental reason), I quickly decided to go to the public transport side of things. 

Public transport bus in Florence. And yes, it was this small!

The main reason behind this was two-fold. 1. I knew my language skills wouldn't be up to scratch and a tourbus driver does need a good knowledge of the host country's language. 2. Moving to a new country and then never being home is just stupid. Besides, some regularity in my life would be quite welcome, knowing a year in advance when you have to work and when you're off is quite a nice thing. I could get myself more of a social life!

Normandy landings

Back to Anvilcloud's two questions: Do I like the more regular routine of this job? Well, yes I do. As stated in the last paragraph, a regular routine helps a social life. And I have more of a social life than I ever had before. Of course that has a lot to do with myself as well, since I actually are more active in finding myself a social life being new to this country and all. 

Paris in June

Do I think I will miss some of the trips I used to take? Yes, I do. I would have had a trip to Normandy under my belt already had I stayed and a trip to London coming up this Sunday. I would love to still do those and I do miss them. As I miss spending time with my colleagues in some hotel in Germany, which we used to do a lot. Some chat, some beer, some good food. 

Adventures in Germany

So, I have mixed feelings right now. Which I knew before leaving I would have. Because driving a bus for a public transport company may be great, driving a tourbus is even better. And when the note from the office came asking about relief drivers for the touring department I was sorely tempted. Local, national and international driving if and when the regular drivers were all busy or ill or on holiday. But I know my limitations: the language! I hope it will come up again though and if it does: I will certainly apply!