I’ve had my share of travels and sights from around the world, London being one of them. Unfortunately I was only five when I last visited so I have virtually no memories of Big Ben or the red double-decker buses. In a way though, I’m glad I have no previous memories because now I can make my own, away from my parents (being the youngest of the group at 19). Alas, freedom!
Thus far we haven’t had that much trouble with the Tube, i.e. London’s underground Subway system, so travelling around the city has been fairly easy. The Tube system is much simpler and faster than Hawai’i’s bus system. I don’t think you can be an American and speak about London’s Tube without making a comment on Londoners. Given cultural differences and ideas about etiquette I’ll excuse them (no doubt Americans shock our overseas visitors too).Londoners don’t give up their seats to the elderly whereas in Hawai’i it’s automatic to do so. Correction: Londoners don’t give up their seats at
all. A seat on the Tube might as well be as precious as the Queen’s jewels. Another thing I’ve noticed is that Londoners actually read. I’ve found Americans usually haul out ye Olde paperback when they’re travelling. I was on the Tube the other day and almost everyone sitting down not playing with their Blackberry or Itouchpadwhatever was reading the newspaper or some book. I’ve also seen them reading ridiculous tabloids. I guess the love of juicy gossip exists in every culture. I’ve seen advertisements for books like The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and a new Stephen King book. I personally can excuse Londoners horrible manners (which deserves it’s own paragraph) just for having an ad for a Stephen King book. Good job, London. Nice taste.
I don’t want to offend or disrespect any Brit folks, but they can be unnecessarily rude and mean. For one, they all walk as if they’re in a rush and have no time to spare. I’m just not used to that in Hawai’i where everyone is pretty laidback and on Hawaiian time. They are also stingy about food, but I’ll let the other members of my group elaborate on that part. I could go on about how rude they are, but I don’t want to seem like a *insert bad word here that rhymes with witch*.
I have met some really cool people but I haven’t gotten to know any Londoners personally, so I can only remark upon first impressions of them as a whole. My apologies if I’ve gotten them completely wrong.
I can’t say that I don’t miss my family, friends, and my phone (I think I’m going through texting withdrawals) but I’m having a really great time exploring and seeing everything. We’ve been to Oxford, the Tate Modern Museum, the British Museum, the National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, and even saw the famous Changing of the Guard. There’s so much to see and do. It’s a little overwhelming and tiring, but fun and exciting at the same time. A great place to vacation, that’s for sure.
It’s strange though, having lived in England before I had this idea that coming to London would make me want to move here, but I’ve decided that it wouldn’t work. I couldn’t handle the weather (which was beautiful most of the first week) because I love not having to carry around a brolly (just had to use that word at least once!) and I love to wear shorts and slippers at home. I had to buy a coat just for London.
Yes, I’ve decided that England is not for me. It’s sandy beaches and shaved ice for this girl. There’s not a lot of aloha here.
I love London though, I really do. Now I can now truly cross London off my bucket list. Next stop…Bhutan!
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