MIND THE GAP

Let’s be honest, I couldn’t let go of London that easily.

Especially without talking about one of my favorite aspects: the underground!

It became so familiar to me, I could consider it my second home. Home away from London home. Which is my home away from home. Confusing.

The underground is one of the easiest forms of public transportation in the world. Like the subways of New York, traveling under the city allows you to enter into one station and emerge on the other end of town within minutes.

Unlike the subway, the tube is extremely easy to navigate.

Trains arrive every few minutes and lines are color coded. You can transfer between lines, within stations, without lifting a finger on your bank or oyster card.

Speaking of oyster cards, purchase one the moment you arrive in London. Even if you are here for a short period of time. Though why would you deprive yourself with a short trip to London.

Your oyster card is valid for all forms of public transport in London, and will save you money! Say you need to reach a destination via tube, bus, and overground train. Whip out your oyster card and you are good to go.

The card itself will cost you 5 quid. It is a pay as you go system where you can top up at any station, or online.

The tube reminds me of explorations of London, meeting up with friends, and coming home after a long day. I can walk to Southgate Station with my eyes closed and will never forget the feeling of seeing the underground symbol after returning to London from weekends away.

I have witnessed some of the strangest moments while underground. I’ve had a man fall asleep on me, wrap me in for a cuddle while still asleep, and wake up to get off on the next stop due to embarrassment. I’ve seen multiple pole dances {if it’s there, they usually go for it}. I’ve sat next to some of the worst smelling human beings alive… to the point of needing to change trains. I’ve made friends with other American’s after hearing the familiar accent. I have even been screamed at by a homeless man.

But each experience just adds to the love I have for the tube.

I’ll never forget my last tube ride to Heathrow Airport. Straight down the Piccadilly line, no stopping, no transferring. Just a 75 minute reminder of yet another piece of London I’ve left behind.

Coming from California, I have never been much of a ‘public transport’ fan. But leaving London, I can’t imagine a life before it.

And a word to the wise, seriously follow the ‘mind the gap‘ advice… You don’t want to end up on the other side of that yellow line when an oncoming train is due.