Today was one of those days of travel weariness. I really didn’t want to do much. I had to move from one AirBnB to another today because my first location wasn’t able to host me the whole time I wanted to be in London. My new location wasn’t able to check me in until 1pm, so I had a few hours to kill between check-out and check-in. So, I picked a random Underground stop between the two places and just walked around. I found a wonderful outdoor market called Borough Market and a beautiful church. Pictures below.
Today I heard that the Underground will be on strike starting tomorrow through Sunday and that rail services will probably be disrupted. Great. That should be fun. I already walk between 5-8 miles a day. Speaking of the Underground or The Tube (I’ve heard both expressions here in London) or the subway or the metro, whatever it’s called; I have always had some kind of fascination with them. Ever since my first solo venture into New York City when I was a teenager, I’ve found them to be intriguing. I love movies that feature them (unfortunately, they are usually scary).
I’m sometimes directionally challenged. If I haven’t identified landmarks to help me navigate, I can get disoriented above ground. But for whatever reason, subways make sense to me. I can easily navigate and find where I need to go in a subway system. And I simply LOVE using them. I think partly because I’m a people watcher, and what could be better place than a subway. All kinds of people from different walks of life use them, rushing about their days or moseying along, interacting with friends or family, or quietly reading the paper or a book (or these days, their phones). I’ve seen people dressed in tails and cocktail dresses riding along side a homeless person, or a punked out rocker with purple hair and a spiked leather collar around their necks next to a business man in a suit and tie. I’ve seen women with children and old ladies hunched over carrying their bag of fresh produce from the market. Sometimes there is plenty of space between people and other times we are jammed together like sardines, knocking elbows and rubbing shoulders with unknown strangers. Rarely is there a vocal exchange between these creatures riding the rails, but once in a while a person will break the silent rule of “keeping to yourself” and suddenly the world seems just a tad more human, even if it is just for a moment.
Tonight’s dinner:
Not sure what I’ll do tomorrow. I guess I’ll see what’s available to do closer to the house or Undergrand stop.
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