(South Kensington after the snow)
Prior to our arrival I pictured it being an amazing way to zip around London, and it is (minus the zip), if you can put up with occasional signal malfunctions that slow down entire tube lines, security or medical alerts which completely shut them down, weather issues (the one day of snow we had or even leaves apparently), and other 'slight delays' (my favorite one was last week when there was a shortage of available trains on the Circle Line.
Some lines get brutally crammed with silent masses of humanity -- what is the story with the 'no talking on public transit' unwritten rule?? All speaking ceases when boarding, unless you need to discuss where to get off the train (unless you are a foreigner - then blab away at high volumes oblivious to the Brit laser beam stares.
This past week I had to go to one of our other offices here, which put me on the Northern Line at rush hour... I got off of my first line (Picadilly), and then joined a slowly moving blob of people heading through small tunnels 5 or 6 across -- in silence. All you could hear were hundreds of footsteps - and I was looking a
round with a small grin on my face to see if anyone else thought it was weird... nope.We then descended a stairway - even more slowly - to the train platform where we were yelled at by one man in a fluorescent vest to use the entire platform (right) - (no idea why that guy's bag was so shiny or why the flash was right on him - but you have to be quick w/ the camera).
I inched closer to the platform's edge (it is a delicate positioning 'ballet' - those on the train have to get off, so if you are standing right where the doors end up, it is your duty to give way - which means you lose your spot) and was finally able to wedge myself on the third train that came along with some strategic blocking out aided by my bag... there's nothing like being jammed into a space that was not designed to handle that many people at once in an overcoat... unable to unwrap your scarf from your neck... with little airflow except the breathmint free ambient breezes...
Otherwise it is great for us - and really is a good system overall. We both take it at least 2x/day -- and I even have invested in an annual "season pass" Oyster Card - good investment decision TBD.
A tube map ( and real time system/delay news) can be found here: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/livetravelnews/realtime/tube/default.html
BBC coverage Here.
Oyster Card information
Oyster Card parody card wallets:
--- Paddington Station where the Heathrow Express departs is below:
and this is a little old school Sesame Street clip that still manages to sum it all up today... enjoy!!
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4 comments:
LOVE the Sesame St. clip. We get more than our fair share of SS these days.
Yes, I remember from my two trips to London that the Underground is quite an adventure. Craig and I highly recommend Hammersmith. Not a long Tube ride and there's a great pub right on the Thames.
Pub...right on the thames...hurrah! I am there! We've been doing (TJ stop rolling your eyes) a weekly "gastropub night"...this will be next on our list. Would love to find it - will let you know if/when we do!
One time I did not mind the gap. Fell right into the train. The British silently mocked me.
I don't know about gastropub - it is called "The Old Ship" or something along those nautical lines. Was a family favorite of ours. Wait for a balmy London day - not holding your breath - and head there for outdoor pints, bangers and a good view of the sculls and boathouses along the Thames
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