Thursday, 21 March 2013

The ups and downs of a translator's travellings

Travelling alone for work is no piece of cake. It's no holiday. It's no sightseeing frolics. What is is, is airports, hotels and being stuck in the office. It's wondering where to have dinner, alone, and thinking about getting a sandwich and eat it in your hotel room instead. It's missing your sweetheart and your cat. Does that sound pathetic? Well, it isn't. That's the down side, there is always a down side to things and down sides should be dealt with forthwith. Done. 

Travelling alone for work is going to far places. It's trying new foods. It's testing new approaches. It's learning new words. It's being driven by a tram conductor flaunting a great, big, spiky Mohawk (in that tram, yes). It's scrambled eggs for breakfast. It's being surprised by the hotel providing a Portuguese newspaper (even if it is O Jogo). It's buying souvenirs. It's doing things that matter with people who care. It's being stuck in the office with those people who care doing those things that matter. There will be doctors and nurses saving peoples lives with the help of a machine that speaks their language because I translated it, checked it, and gave it the Go Ahead! Does that sound cool? You bet it is. That's the up side. And the up side of things is what makes you go on that trip for work again and again, by yourself, without complaining.


Source: Luk Thys, courtesy of Finland Tourist Board
* I didn't bring my camera this time and I want to post this now. So. That's why.

Source: me. My adorable Lizzy.

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