The way we go from one place to the next is shaped by the place we live. In New York City, for example, there are many people living together in a small space, which result in a lot of traffic. The same applies for my home city of San Francisco. Many people choose to take public transportation because it allows them to avoid traffic and to get to work faster. It also offers a cheap alternative to owning a car. In the city of Reims, where I am currently studying, most people also use public transportation, but the reason why is different.
Reims, unlike New York City, is a city with a 30% student population and can be walked across in about an hour and a half. Most students like me don’t own cars, so we walk or bike to school. It takes about 20 minutes for me to get to school, and when I am listening to music it feels like no time at all. For those who own cars, they own compact cars that can fit into the narrow streets that make up most of the streets in Reims. I have many professors who live in Paris and commute every day to Reims. It takes about 45 minutes to get to Paris from Reims, and the view during the trip is beautiful. I have taken the train system in France a few times and it’s a great way of moving around.
