by London: Tube, Piccadilly & more
Enough relaxing around Muswell Hill! Later that day, our son-in-law announced that we are all going into central London to the Apple store then dinner to his favourite restaurant in his favourite part of the city.
That was our introduction to London’s public transit. We first took one of those ubiquitous red double-decker buses to the nearest tube station. London’s underground is VERY deep which meant many flights of stairs and escalators to navigate. Unfortunately for me and my bad knees, this station’s very long down escalator was out of order (and remained so for the rest of our stay so we ended up always bussing to the next metro station on the line.) We also had the youngest granddaughter in a stroller which had to be frequently lifted and carried by two people. It was not the place for people with mobility issues! Not being used to the underground (Vancouver’s Skytrain has only a short section underground in the downtown area) we felt quite overwhelmed by the great rush of people all elbowing their way past and pushing into and out of the tube. Canadians are definitely more polite! It’s fast, efficient but not the most pleasant way to commute, we felt, even after doing it for over two weeks. We liked the bus much better.
When we emerged from the underground into daylight at Oxford Circus, we were totally stunned by what we saw! Immense streets and palace-like buildings with huge crowds – it was rush hour after all. While the men went into the Apple store to pick up something we girls briefly browsed through some of the very upscale fashion shops on Regent Street, I think it was. Then we all strolled along several grand streets and areas with well-known names like Piccadilly Circus, Bloomsbury, Carnaby Street, Soho, Leicester Square…. my head didn’t know which way to turn! All somewhat of a blur but very impressive! Even the dinner in a Spanish tapas restaurant in the Soho area was amazing. The entertainment district at twilight with its big theatres, neon lights and lively crowds was a memorable finale to our introduction to big city London on our first full day there.
May 30, 2009 in Culture, Travel by Marja-Leena
What a grand trip you’ve had!!
The first year that I lived in the Japanese city of Fukuoka, I challenged myself to a subway tour: 2 different stops each month, chosen at random. Your words brought back the wonderful feeling of emerging from the depths into wonderous worlds above!
Beautiful photos. But London looks so clean, spic & span in them – not quite the reality!
I love your wide-eyed enthusiasm at discovering things, Marja-Leena.
By the way, I’m surprised you were able to resist going into the Apple store on Regent Street – it’s a temple of consumerism for Mac-fans (like me).
Joan, yes, it’s been that! So fun now to go over the photos and the memories.
Rouchswalwee, what a good way to get to know the city! We certainly used it a lot in London.
Natalie, I swear I did not air-brush these photos! Oh, yes, London was not that clean, but my, the ‘temples’ were magestic. (I was told that many used to be palaces and now are temples of business and entertainment.) Oh, I’m a keen Mac-fan too but my husband and son-in-law are even more so. I was far more interested in London at that point. What an awe-inspiring first impression.
It’s interesting reading about someone’s first impressions of London now and being awed by the buildings. In 1971 when I started working in London for the first time, I too was awed by those very same buildings, as I worked near Oxford Circus. However, the streets had a fraction of the pedestrians, and there was hardly any litter etc. I loved London, and always looked up as I walked. Now I hate the crowds, the dirt, the noise, and so I am pleased that the city still has that attraction for those less jaded than myself.
Olga, don’t paint me too lily-white, I too hated the crowds, dirt and noise both in London and Paris, especially after a few days. It would irritate me that people would walk into me rather than move over, making me always the mover-over or knocked over! After a few bruises on my arms at the tube stations I finally did use my elbows in self-defense a couple of times. Something else odd to me: no-one ever looks you in the eye. That’s one reason why home feels so peaceful!
Your pictures and writing evoke places I know well; those deep tube stations are difficult and the buses fun, but I do like the (vast!) London subway, and that feeling of emerging into light and a totally different, astouding world.
I like the urban challenge but find it most stimulating if I have my own little place to come back to. That is why we rent an apartment when he stay in Paris rather than staying in a hotel. And one of the best travel memories of all time was our week in Avignon, a medium sized city, where we had a pleasant apartment with a patio, next to the music conservatory and within easy walking distance of the Pope’s Palace, the open market, and other attractions.
We’re going to Rome and other places in Sept. and will rent apartments where possible.
Beth, I remember you mentioning you’ve lived in London. Maybe it just takes time getting used to the underground and crowds. Navigating our way around on our own didn’t take too long with the help of my husband’s iPod which had an excellent interactive program. We both preferred the buses, it was like sight-seeing!
Hattie, your upcoming trip sounds marvelous! We were lucky to stay at our daughter’s though it was about 45 minutes by tube, bus and walk. The company and the food was great and their place quiet! In Paris, we rented an apartment and it was a good choice, very centrally located. It’s certainly cheaper, we’d buy groceries to make our own breakfasts, maybe lunch or a light cold supper. We’d do it again! In Florence years ago, we also stayed in a very central location, though a modest hotel, and found that excellent because we could go back for a rest when we needed it. This daughter in London got us on to the apartment idea for they do that a lot in their travels, in fact they are going to one in Paris in a few days!
How funny! I’m off to London today for a month. It will be great to finally relax with friends after my hectic and challenging year. Glad you had fun.
Kate, I think you know London well, unlike me. Have a good flight and a relaxing time! Hope you’ll blog from there.