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Harvey Hamer's avatar

So interesting hearing about a sort of fantasy Britain from books and music. I suppose I have the same thing with America - though I do hope to go sometime soon! It's different for me to see through the eyes of entering England the first time through public transport, but I had a similar experience visiting Germany last year.

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Robert Walrod's avatar

Where did you go in Germany?

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Harvey Hamer's avatar

Went to stay with a friend in Augsberg, and in another in Trier. Flew to Munich and lots of trains

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Robert Walrod's avatar

Munich is fantastic, I've been there myself.

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Michael Edward's avatar

I enjoyed this piece a lot Robert.

The parts about you being in the liminal space of the airport were very interesting. I especially liked your observation that

—“ I felt like I was in between worlds in that terminal.”— that is a good point, as airports do seem to have a sort of ‘nowhere/transitory’ feel to them.

I also really enjoyed the way you told the story of your journey, it flowed in a way that had me keen to follow.

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Robert Walrod's avatar

Thanks so much.

I've written a few other travel sketches on the Substack if you'd like to read them.

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Harry Watson's avatar

Wonderful Robert - and anyone who mentions one of my favourite Orwell essays is always going to get a thumbs up. You mentioned you've not been north of York so I guess you might struggle when it comes to 'Geordie' - the name usually given to a northeast English accent. By the way I think the word usually used to describe the English pass time of sitting in the ambience of a pub is boozing...😉

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Robert Walrod's avatar

In class we watched the film The Arbor and my professor said, only half-jokingly, that in the film they speak the kind of English that Americans need subtitles to understand.

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Harry Watson's avatar

When it comes to Geordie those in southern England need subtitles too! 😉

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