Random London Learning

Tube

I don’t know where to even begin, the tube is very much a part of many millions of people’s lives here. The line I travel on carries about 2 million passengers a day. I can’t say how many times I’ve heard “Mind the Gap” now, but it will forever hold a special place. One thing I have noticed is that everyone here is always in a hurry, and I believe a lot of that has to do with the tube because people are always in a hurry to catch the tube or to change lines. Therefore it carries into the rest of their lives because you can’t get anywhere without planning your journey to make it on time.

When it comes to the tube you can buy an oyster card which allows you to buy a week, month, year or season pass. Or you are able to top up, just add money to it, and it takes money off after each journey. For me it was most logical to get the month pass the second week. Once you get to the station you touch the card to the yellow pad and then you enter the gates. Then each station is different but you essentially follow the stairs, escalator or lift to the platform you need. Then you wait on the tube and when it arrives you stand to the side to let the people off before you get on, makes sense. Then you either find a seat or grab a pole to help balance for the duration of your journey. At your stop you get off the tube and follow the signs that say “Way Out”. When it comes to the escalators people actually stand single file line and on the right if they are just standing so people in a hurry can walk up on the left. It is very orderly. Then you tap out and continue on with your day.

The tube and underground is actually pretty hot  because none of it is air conditioned but they are currently working on upgrading all the lines for the Olympics next summer. And additionally that means on weekends some of the lines have partial closures so you have to really pay attention. Also they told us when considering time for our journey always allow extra time for delays or things to go wrong because it happens.

Overall it is not hard to navigate and be able to use, but I definitely miss my car. But London public transportation is really advanced and the system works quite well.

Chemist
One interesting thing here is they do have free healthcare, but I know understand why. People rarely go to the doctor because unless absolutely necessary. In a store called Boots they have Chemists which are people who you are able to tell your minor issues to and they will tell you what over the counter medicine to take or what to do and if you actually need to see a doctor.

2 fingers- Peace Sign

Ironically, the peace sign to us means peace and doing that over here will give some death glares because it is essentially flipping someone off. Back during the time when England was in one of its many wars with France, France would capture England’s archers because they were extremely skilled and they would cut their first two fingers, the fingers used to release the string of the bow, as a way to get to them. So it the meaning is extremely different over here.   

Bugs

Simply put, there are none to a trace

British students and grading

One interesting thing is British students don’t have school in the summer. The student only attend school for 3 years, and their course of study is basically set out for them, possibly getting to pick one free module (course). And each year the classes are continually harder and count more each year. Additionally they grade backwards, they start from zero and you have to earn your grade. A 40 is passing and a 70 would be A+ so it is would be interesting actually going to school here.

School books aren’t bought

One thing about going to school in London is none of the students buy their books because many of the textbooks can actually be found in the library. I wish K-State would adopt this idea; I would save so much money. I love some of the practical things they do here.    

Hospitals- ER

Like visiting the doctor’s office, visiting the ER (A&E- Accident & Emergency) follows suit. Only people who are truly injured or have an emergency go to the A&E because they prioritize the people based on injury. And I don’t plan on visiting.  

Weather- hot 32C=90 hottest of year

Lucky for us, we got to experience the hottest day, and the two weeks (literally) of summer. It really wasn’t that bad, especially compared to a summer back home where it is like 110, but it was nice for a couple days.

5% go to church.

One piece of advice they told us, and I’ve witnessed is how most people literally talk about the weather, it is a safe topic. Religion is one you definitely stay away from. Our director told us only about 5% actually go to church. And they have many beautiful churches and didn’t want to get rid of them, so they merely turned them into bars. These people really do enjoy drinking as a past time.

Toliets  

Or I should say lack there of, I have learned to go whenever I see a toilet (bathroom) because truly you don’t know the next time you’ll see one. They rarely have public bathrooms. It is something I have adapted to at least.

Weather- Rain and Umbrellas

If you couldn’t have guessed it does rain a lot here. And that is very true. I’m sure it’s a joke here what the forecast will be. It is interesting to be walking down the street and then if it starts to rain all of a sudden umbrellas come out of nowhere. And because of it raining so often there is actually umbrella etiquette. One, you never shake out your umbrella around people and two when walk down a crowded sidewalk you tilt the umbrella or move it up to avoid hitting each other.

The one thing that is hard to get used to is the fact that it literally just rains, there is never any thunder or lightening or thunderstorms to watch. Through the clouds you can tell if it looks like rain, but then it will just rain. I’m used to wind and rain and intense storms coming out of it, and nothing exciting happens. The people here would probably freak out if something did actually happen.

Jay walk

It is not against the law here, which is kinda nice. But definitely the reason why there are some accidents here where people get run over often.

KFC BK Subway McDonalds

Although they do have some familiar American fast food places, they are not the same. All these places have a much more limited menu and limited space. It is common to see maybe 4 or 5 tables in the main part and more seating downstairs. Definitely, an experience and they do enjoy chicken and tuna I’ve noticed.

Living Situation

Living here is a little different than dorms back home. Here you don’t have an actual roommate, you live on a flat where you have your own room with a bed, desk, dresser and wash basin. Then you share a shower and toilet (two separate rooms) and kitchen with everyone on the floor. Even in the hotel they have it to where everyone gets their own bed. Not something I’m used to.  

Debit and credit cards

Their debit cards have a chip in them which allows them to put it in the machine and then type their pin in and then remove it.

Not having the chip means that I have to sign every receipt and the cashier actually holds my card to compare the signature and then returns the cards and receipt to me. 

Hope you enjoyed!