We loved that we could get pretty much wherever we wanted to be within a reasonable amount of time, just by taking the Tube. Now, don't get me wrong--there were times where it was easier, shorter, or faster to walk on the surface between stops, or where line closures made life a little difficult, but the benefits outweighed the costs.
The London Underground just celebrated its 150th anniversary a couple of years ago. Obviously there were some huge changes--lines being added; the Oyster card being added in 2003 (a contactless ticketing system that makes life super easy), lifts and escalators, etc.
Compared to other similar transport systems in mainland Europe (the Paris Metro, for example), the London Underground is clean, well-lit, and (fairly) reliable. There's even multiple apps in case you need to know how to get from A to B.
I might be a little obsessed with things with the Tube map on them. I have some mugs, a magnet, and I'd happily have a map stenciled on my wall, but I think my poor husband might object. Though saying, "This is the Piccadilly line train to Cockfosters" will never not be funny.
*note* The Tube map doesn't belong to me, obviously.
Time for V next!
xoxo Sarah
Visiting during the #Challenge. Always love finding fellow writers. What a great post to find today. If you have a minute, come and see me and go my Pinterest button. I have a fabulous board on Vintage Underground Posters. I did a blog post other than the #Challenge on them at an earlier time. Those early artist of these posters gave us a wonderful legacy. I'll be back.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! I'll have to check them out. I love the Tube map. :-)
DeleteLove public transportation! Ride the subway in the city whenever possible and would ride the bus in if it weren't so darned expensive.
ReplyDeleteHappy A-Z
www.gvpeasachantrant.blogspot.com
Isn't it great? I miss it! :-)
DeleteAhh, yes, the tube! This was the setting for one of my best stories, and one of the earliest ones chronologically.
ReplyDeleteMy Dad was English, and when I was 4-5 he went back to London on a sabbatical. My mom and I came with him, and my big brother and sister stayed with Gabba (my Mom's mother) for the rest of the school year and then joined us for the summer.
I loved everything about London, really, especially Thomas the tank engine, Mister men--and the underground. I rode it with Mom every day.
One day, unfortunately, I was too close to the tracks when the train was pulling out of the station--and the wind blew my Mister Men hat onto the tracks. Oh no!
My mom kept me from freaking out too much, though, and kept talking to the nice and friendly Tube employees until one of them got my hat back! (Thank you so much, whoever you are.)
Unfortunately, I don't still have the hat...
Visit my new author blog at http://chriskelworth.com/blog/
What a great story! I'm glad you got your hat back. Thanks for stopping by!
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