Lazy Sunday Photo- The Millennium Bridge (Nicknamed Wibbly Wobbly), London

The Millennium Bridge, London (Also Nicknamed Wibbly Wobbly Bridge)

I crossed the Millennium Bridge (though I didn't know its name while crossing) after roaming around the St. Paul's Cathedral area. In the background one can see the Tate Modern (at that time I didn't know that the entry is free). And as I was reading these lines again, I can see what a well researched traveler I am!

Anyway, it was later on Sunday when I took the cruise on Thames (I like to think of it as a boat ride rather than a cruise) that I came to know that this is the Millennium Bridge. The excellent commentary we had on the boat, we were told "this is the Wibbly Wobbly Bridge, also known as the Millennium Bridge. As soon as it opened it vibrated so bad that it had to be closed down, so we like to call it the Wibbly Wobbly Bridge."

Around Buckingham Palace, London

Taken on a evening in November, 2007, near Buckingham Palace, London

Lazy Sunday Photo- Ice Cream on London Streets

Ice Cream Van- Near Tower Bridge, London

No, no, I didn't even think of eating an ice cream in the November cold in London but I liked the scene. And to put it on record I do not like cold weather and it is cold right now in and around Delhi. I envy people who go about unconcerned in the cold weather and it does not bother them in the least. Like my nephew, he is sitting in two warm shirts, while I have packed myself up, sitting in front of TV waiting for Australian Open Men's final to begin.

A Boat Ride on Thames at Night

British Airways London Eye (Sore?)- As Described on the Boat Ride on Thames

I really liked the boat ride I took on Thames on the trip to UK. We all know the pound to rupee exchange rate. You have to give more than 80 rupees to get even one of those pounds. So, spending was not what I was looking forward to in the UK. But then we both have been earning for quite sometime and now I have come to the stage that if I wish, I will really not bother myself over spending in the vicinity of 10 pounds. That is approximately what a boat ride on the Thames cost me (I think it was 6.70 or 7.60 pounds actually).

I took the boat ride from Westminster to the Tower Bridge and back. I decided to come back because I did not wish to negotiate my way from Tower Bridge Underground to Victoria station (remember my sense of direction?).

It definitely was cold that day but not unbearably so. I had no clue what to expect. The night view was great and I was trying very hard to use the SLR on the moving boat (without too much success). The people navigating the boat were the best thing to happen on this ride.

On the ride to the Tower Bridge, the person started (and these are not the exact quotes but paraphrases from memory), "Ladies and Gentlemen, we are not professional tour guides, we work with Thames river authority. Still, if you wish we can offer you a commentary, so those in favor of it please raise your hand." I was quite busy with the camera, so didn't raise my hand. Then came the voice "So, only three to four hands are up, maybe we should not." Hearing this I raised both my hands.

I do not remember all of what they said but some of it was really witty and caustic. Like one of the first things that you can see on this trip is the London eye. So they would say, "Ladies and gentleman, on your right is the British Airways London Eye sore (in a dead serious voice) and if you have not been taken for a ride by the BA till date this your chance to be taken for a ride."

Blurred Picture from the Moving Boat on the Thames

In a similar fashion they would make fun of so many things modern. The bluish building above apparently was referred as a 'blue carbuncle' by someone (did they say Tony Blair?). Our boatman rightly likened it to the pit of a nuclear reactor (OK, OK, I have not seen the pit of a nuclear reactor but I like his analogy better). The things that got a favorable word were monuments like Saint Paul Cathedral or Tower of London.

I remember I changed my position once on the moving boat to try and click a better picture on the other side. I must say the person at the helm had his eyes all they way on me till I settled down again. No, I did no fancy a dip at night in Thames in that cold weather. Still, I was thankful for the concern.

On the way back I heard the same stories again but then I still liked them! Also, this was my last day in UK and I was wondering if it would be four years again till I go abroad? Before this I was in Italy four years back and now that I write this, I realize I have blogged very little about it.

Remember the Mind the Gap Post?

Mind the Gap- On London Tube

A few days back I wrote about mind the gap announcements on the London tube. Then I got a mail from Steve of Gonomad sending me a link to this news-

The woman behind the gentle, even voice which warns London's subway commuters to "Mind the gap" was fired after telling a newspaper she thought the transit network was dreadful.

Emma Clarke has been recording messages for London's sprawling subway network, popularly known as the Tube, since 1999. In addition to warning passengers to watch their step in walking between subway cars and the platform, she also reads the trains' stops, tells Londoners how long they have to wait until their next ride, and delivers service updates.

Emma Clarke clarified at the BBC-

"What I actually said was that travelling in a Tube train would be dreadful for me, listening to my own voice and seeing the haunted faces of commuters being subjected to me telling them to 'mind the gap'.

"I would find it quite an uncomfortable experience in the same way that when I call a company when I'm their on hold voice and it's me saying - please press 2 for accounts - it's a creepy experience to be honest."

Lazy Sunday Photo- The Big Ben, London

The Big Ben, Westminster, London

The Westminster area was the last place I visited in London. I came out of the train and followed the signs that said 'exit for London Eye.' It was already dark by then. After taking a boat ride on Thames, I headed back to the Westminster train station and then decided to follow the sign 'exit for Westminster.'

The parliament house and the Big Ben were so well lit, I was quite awestruck. I strolled around and took pictures for quite sometime. Being November, I was finding it a bit cold. After a while I didn't know what to do so I just stood and indulged in people watching.

Right next to me a guy was speaking in Hindi (my native tongue) on cell phone and was giving advice on relationships. He was telling his friend (in Hindi) "it is OK whatever relationships she had before marriage but after marriage make it very clear this cannot continue."

A young couple came out of the underground and their jaws dropped in utter amazement at the sight of the area. Then they quickly started clicking pictures. Of course, they had to request others to click themselves all huddled up. This was repeated quite a few number of times with various people (jaw dropping part if they were not a couple). Quite a few requests to take pictures came my way and with a few remarks too, "What a big camera, are you a pro?" Well, the honest answer is I am not. Of course I also asked one couple to take my picture after I had taken theirs.

I really I would have liked to stand there and watch the scene around for a long long time. But by 8.00 pm I was finding the cold too much to handle. So, I crawled back into the underground again to head back to Victoria.

Lazy Sunday Photo- London Underground, Mind the Gap!

Mind the Gap, London Underground, UK

The phrase 'Please Mind the Gap' grew upon me slowly when I used the London Underground and the National Rail for two days. As a station would approach, the announcement system on the train would go crazy, announcing "please mind the gap" again and again. Once or twice it felt OK, then it became amusing. When I went into a souvenir shop later, I saw a mug with the same slogan, "Mind the Gap." Of course, I bought it.

Later, I googled and found this interesting stuff about Mind the Gap on the BBC-

The Recorded Announcement (Male)

The stern, shouting, male voice announcement for 'Mind the Gap' is being phased out. Fortunately, you can download Peter Lodge's 'performance' - and numerous other train announcements - from this Sound File site. As the webmaster of the site says:

His barked orders to cowering passengers continue to ring out in a recording which is already an historical document³.

The Recorded Announcement (Female)

The female voice for the recorded announcement of 'Mind the Gap' is nicknamed 'Sonia' by tube drivers. Why? Because her voice 'gets on yer nerves', they collectively reply.

Apparently 'Sonia' is thought to be a bit too posh in some circles. In recent tests somebody mimicking the voice of Marilyn Monroe proved to be a favourite.

Mind the Gap on the National Rail, Somewhere Between Victoria and Sutton

Pretty Young Things at the Hyde Park, London

Three Young Girls at Hyde Park, London, UK

While I was taking a stroll (with a colleague) at the Hyde Park, caught a glimpse of these three young girls ahead of us. They were speaking a foreign tongue but one could still make out the excitement in their voices. When they went some distance ahead of us, I thought they made a pretty beautiful picture along with the prop on the right and the colors of the park.

And to my complete surprise, the young lady in the middle suddenly stood on her hands and her friends merrily took her pictures. That is what London does to some people!

You Can Go Anywhere You Want!

The Parliament House and the Big Ben, Westminster, London

I was standing in the London underground at Westminster (near Big Ben and London Eye). I wanted to go to London Victoria. My sense of direction is absolutely pathetic, I can get lost even in a telephone booth if it has two exits. I had no clue which platform to go or which line to take. I of course had a map of the underground but maps always look like a tough puzzle to me, not yielding any clues about anything.

My best bet is to ask others and I have always benefited from the random kindness of the strangers. I had quickly realized that the people with the green vest (some sort of officials connected with the underground system) were the kindest. So, I approached one and asked "Hi, Can I go to Victoria from here?" I got a big grin and a reply, "You can go anywhere you want!" And then he directed me to the correct platform. I thanked him profusely. I again was told, "The pleasure is all mine!"

I am really grateful to people who give me the directions, because without them, I am dead. And I do hope I will slowly get to go anywhere I want!

Not Yet Home

Fall Colors in London (Picture by a Colleague)

Not home yet but almost at the end of the trip. It was not that cold and yes there has been sun almost on all days. I guess I am getting tired now but in all this has been a wonderful trip. Bigger accounts and more pictures when I come back. And thanks a lot for the comments in the meanwhile.