My first weekend is through in London and I have a lot to write too! The last time I heard Oxford, Piccadilly, Trafalgar Square, Park view, Mayfair etc. were in the MONOPOLY game, which we use to play in the school days. Now they are all in the map in front of me. And my tube pass can take me anywhere.
On Saturday, I underestimated the cold and went out with just a sweater or may be I overestimated my power to withstand the cold. Started by around 11. Took a weekend pass for £7, which will allow you to travel in tube in main four zones of London for Sat and Sun. I have a monthly pass for zone 2 and zone 3. But the main places in London are in zone 1.
I took district line tube and got down at Tower Hill station. Came out of the station to find myself in a dream land. I was surrounded by building of Victorian architecture, and I couldn't afford to take them all in my camera. I walked to the Tower of London. I think I will tell about it later. It is in the banks of Thames and the Tower Bridge is very close to the Tower of London. Tower Bridge is what we have heard and seen in photos as London Bridge. The actual London Bridge is 20 years ago and I never have bothered to see it. It was a sunny day. But still I couldn't manage with a sweater. So bought some small maps of Central London, and souvenirs, I decided to go back. The day ended by 2.
Sunday, I prepared well. Out with everything I had, a sweater, a jacket and wool gloves, and I was full ready to beat the weather. Thank God that it was sunny too. I made my plan. The time was again 11. Took the District lines tube to Mile End and then changed to Central Lines tube, got down at Oxford circus. It is a shopping area with full weekend crowd. Walked in a direction I felt good. Reached some park after 30 mins and it was Hyde Park. Then walked a bit more, had a meal in McDonalds. That look to be the cheapest place where you will get a Veg:Burger, Juice and large chips for £3.49.
Again started walking, through the same road to Oxford Circus and then walked to Piccadilly Circus. My camera was blinking at times and I realized I made a big mistake forgetting to take an extra roll. A roll costs £5.99 here! From Piccadilly Circus again, I walked through some streets, which looked busy with cinemas theatres, drama theatres, on both sides; and then, I reached a fantastic place. It was a round similar to something like what I have seen in photographs. I asked one of the people around, where I am, very politely. I knew it was something I should know. He replied, 'Trafalgar Square'!
It was an amazing moment. The time was around 4pm, but started looking like six. I climbed the steps of National Gallery to get a view of the Square from there. I could not believe my eyes! Big Ben was in sight some 200 meters from there. The only sad thing was, my camera had one more film to go. I decided to click it anyway - a view of Big Ben from National Gallery, with Trafalgar Square included! Now I was like a soldier with no bullets, in front of an army with no guns! I slowly walked towards Big Ben, crossed Thames in front of the Big Ben and turned back in the middle of the middle. I think I have never been lost in my life like this! I had a huge square prism in front of me, with house of Parliaments just besides it. The sky was so beautiful and all made it a beautiful sight to be captured in camera. Walked to the other side and enjoyed the same sitting on a wooden chair on the other side of Thames. I will not forget this evening in my life! Big Ben rang 4:30, 4:45 and 5 too! I was there just amazingly watching at something I have never seen before!
It is dark by five, just went down the steps in front of Big Ben to Westminster tube. Took District line to get down at East Ham and walked back home. Bought three calling cards to India - it is cheaper to call India with the cards than making a local call from a public booth! Funny World!
I will elaborate on each of the places later. The only other amazing fact I left out was, entering a malayalee shop in the middle of Oxford circus selling bags and luggage - A Siddique from Kasaragod to be precise!
