Without a doubt, one of the most memorable things that people bring back from London is the experience of the Tube, the Underground Metro system that became a transportation icon when the famous schematic was drawn up by Harry Beck in 1931, for the paltry sum of five pounds for his efforts. Now one of the most recognizable maps in the world, most modern Metro maps are modeled after Beck's simple topological design, revolutionizing the way the world look at a transport system.
In addition the half-inch thick painted "Look Left" and "Look Right" designations at the majority of central London streets to avoid hapless American from becoming hood ornaments for Aston Martins and the ubiquitous London Taxi Cabs, the ever-present "Mind the Gap" warning of disembarking from each Tube car is another icon of navigating London transit logistics.
And, what would a trip to London be without a round on the Tube?
Today, after having an incredible full English Breakfast, it began to pour down rain, so I had already planned to make some stops, and there was no better time than the present to duck underground on the Underground for two hours and step out at various stations.
It is always interesting to see how the populations evolve and change along the routes from working-class end-stations like Stratford to the upper-crusty Oxford Circus or Acton to Mile End, with all points in between. Entire mini-demographics emerge, sometimes one stop at a time, others so gradually that suddenly you feel as if you have moved into a different country altogether. At South Kensington where women are still donning Ascot head gear to blue-collar outlays of East Ham, you can see the world in an hour.
Here are a few of the icons that I encountered along the way, minding the Gaps amongst the various peoples one encounters while in London.
In addition the half-inch thick painted "Look Left" and "Look Right" designations at the majority of central London streets to avoid hapless American from becoming hood ornaments for Aston Martins and the ubiquitous London Taxi Cabs, the ever-present "Mind the Gap" warning of disembarking from each Tube car is another icon of navigating London transit logistics.
And, what would a trip to London be without a round on the Tube?
Today, after having an incredible full English Breakfast, it began to pour down rain, so I had already planned to make some stops, and there was no better time than the present to duck underground on the Underground for two hours and step out at various stations.
It is always interesting to see how the populations evolve and change along the routes from working-class end-stations like Stratford to the upper-crusty Oxford Circus or Acton to Mile End, with all points in between. Entire mini-demographics emerge, sometimes one stop at a time, others so gradually that suddenly you feel as if you have moved into a different country altogether. At South Kensington where women are still donning Ascot head gear to blue-collar outlays of East Ham, you can see the world in an hour.
Here are a few of the icons that I encountered along the way, minding the Gaps amongst the various peoples one encounters while in London.
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