Monday, January 26, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Tampa
Winter quarters (rehearsals) are over, as is the first week of shows and we have finally moved. It isn’t that Tampa wasn’t nice and all but the move was well over due, we had been in one place for far too long. We also didn’t really see that much of the place either considering how long we stayed there. Just the same old bits day in day out and we got to know those bits quite well.
The train yard wasn’t in the best part of town and I’m pretty sure that is probably the norm, so not a lot of exploring went on there. Though I did find some pretty shiny stones along the track, ye sad I know. Oh shiny things. The closest store was about 20 minutes walk away, maybe quicker without dragging a seven year old with you.
Once we got into the building ‘St Pete’s Forum’ we did manage to get out a bit and it seemed OK there. On a day off we went to the Aquarium which was a 10 minute walk away and managed to get the circus bus there and back. We also went to Busch Gardens which was really good with lots to do. I’m sure Willow would have liked to go back more than once, even if she was seriously un-impressed about height restrictions on certain rides. My favourite bit was the safari ride due to the great guide we had.
So we left Tampa on our first ‘Train run’. I use to read the blog of a musician on the blue unit who said the train runs where the best bit of life on the show and even though we are restricted to running up and down the corridors due to our room being fairly big I have to admit I know where he was coming from. I still need to get my train legs but it was really great fun. Looking out the vestibule watching a world go by that so few people get to see and communicating to others out the top door who are doing the same. At times I felt like the dog with his head stuck out the car window. It was just a short one this week and we where near the front of the train which apparently the smoothest ride. I wonder when we will be at the back getting the worst of the sway and if I will need to put my seabands on.
So we have now arrived in Orlando for the next week of adventures, I wonder where we will visit this week.
The train yard wasn’t in the best part of town and I’m pretty sure that is probably the norm, so not a lot of exploring went on there. Though I did find some pretty shiny stones along the track, ye sad I know. Oh shiny things. The closest store was about 20 minutes walk away, maybe quicker without dragging a seven year old with you.
Once we got into the building ‘St Pete’s Forum’ we did manage to get out a bit and it seemed OK there. On a day off we went to the Aquarium which was a 10 minute walk away and managed to get the circus bus there and back. We also went to Busch Gardens which was really good with lots to do. I’m sure Willow would have liked to go back more than once, even if she was seriously un-impressed about height restrictions on certain rides. My favourite bit was the safari ride due to the great guide we had.
So we left Tampa on our first ‘Train run’. I use to read the blog of a musician on the blue unit who said the train runs where the best bit of life on the show and even though we are restricted to running up and down the corridors due to our room being fairly big I have to admit I know where he was coming from. I still need to get my train legs but it was really great fun. Looking out the vestibule watching a world go by that so few people get to see and communicating to others out the top door who are doing the same. At times I felt like the dog with his head stuck out the car window. It was just a short one this week and we where near the front of the train which apparently the smoothest ride. I wonder when we will be at the back getting the worst of the sway and if I will need to put my seabands on.
So we have now arrived in Orlando for the next week of adventures, I wonder where we will visit this week.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Train verses Caravan
Out of all the people staying at the hotel waiting to move onto the train we were the last to leave. Apparently there was a lot of work to be done on our room, but the wait was worth it. Before we arrived we had prepared for the worst and had very little expectations. We packed very light with this in mind. I had had my fingers crossed just for our own toilet. I wonder if the shock was visible on our faces when we first saw our room. It is so much bigger than even the biggest room we had imagined, and yes we have our own toilet and shower and added to that washing machine and tumble dryer. So much feels sparkly and new, they did a great job.
It is actually bigger than our old caravan (we are very lucky) even though the train moves from place to place it feels more like an apartment than something on wheels. So much better than a caravan; no sorting out the electric and water, no legs to set and no driving. There isn’t a weight issue to worry about either as it is solid and built well. Also there is no packing down or setting up due to you still ‘living’ in your space as it moves, though we have yet to experience that.
One thing from a caravan point of view which may be a bonus for some people is your neighbours can change from week to week when you arrive in a new Town. So if you are next to someone you don’t get on to well with it can be just a week you have to grin and bear it. On the train you are pretty much stuck with your neighbours for the next two years, and we aren’t talking neighbours divided by a white picket fence. Luckily (so far) we get on well with our neighbours and hopefully that won’t change.
Things to add to my ‘Things I’ve noticed that are different’ list...
1) Light switches flick the opposite way to the UK, OK it isn’t a major notice but at least it doesn’t involve food!
2) I can’t find quilt covers anywhere; do they exist in the US?
3) Customer service isn’t as hot over here as I expected it to be, who would have thought I’d miss Vodafone.
4) Where were the Christmas crackers? Something was seriously missing at Christmas dinner.
5) And still, what is it with day-glo food.
It is actually bigger than our old caravan (we are very lucky) even though the train moves from place to place it feels more like an apartment than something on wheels. So much better than a caravan; no sorting out the electric and water, no legs to set and no driving. There isn’t a weight issue to worry about either as it is solid and built well. Also there is no packing down or setting up due to you still ‘living’ in your space as it moves, though we have yet to experience that.
One thing from a caravan point of view which may be a bonus for some people is your neighbours can change from week to week when you arrive in a new Town. So if you are next to someone you don’t get on to well with it can be just a week you have to grin and bear it. On the train you are pretty much stuck with your neighbours for the next two years, and we aren’t talking neighbours divided by a white picket fence. Luckily (so far) we get on well with our neighbours and hopefully that won’t change.
Things to add to my ‘Things I’ve noticed that are different’ list...
1) Light switches flick the opposite way to the UK, OK it isn’t a major notice but at least it doesn’t involve food!
2) I can’t find quilt covers anywhere; do they exist in the US?
3) Customer service isn’t as hot over here as I expected it to be, who would have thought I’d miss Vodafone.
4) Where were the Christmas crackers? Something was seriously missing at Christmas dinner.
5) And still, what is it with day-glo food.
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