Tube Time!

We got our Oyster Cards on Wednesday morning, and then we
headed to the station to use the tube for the first time. It was raining, so everyone
had raincoats or umbrellas. We tapped our cards, which I think they call your
ticket, and went into the station. At Russel Square, which is closest to our
hotel The Royal National Hotel, you take an elevator—sorry, lift—to the
underground. Then you have to decide if you are taking the east or west tube.
Luckily, they have big signs on the corners that are very clear about which
tube for which stations. At first, I was a little confused, but by the time the
day was over I had it figured out, and its actually pretty clear and easy, which
I appreciate as a navigationally-challenged person. Russell Square only runs
the Piccadilly line, and to get to the National Theatre we took it a few stops
to Leicester Square. At the National Theatre we saw our first show of the trip,
Boys from the Blackstuff. It took place in 1982 Britain about a group of
men struggling against the system to get legitimate, paying jobs. Total it ran
about two hours, with a 20-minute intermission. It was very good, but I imagine
it will not be the most memorable play of the trip, though in its defense it is
going to be hard to compete with all the great plays we are going to get to see!
The first half of the play, I don’t know why, but I was exhausted. Most of us
were for some reason, and we were all struggling to stay awake for the first
half. I never fell asleep fully, but I definitely had my eyes closed for a
little bit. Thankfully once it went to intermission, I went and got a cup of
water and managed to wake up a bit. So, in the second half I was much more
attentive, which was good. I was also more comfortable, because in the first
half I couldn’t get comfortable in the seat and it was irritating. Once the
play was over, we walked back across the footbridge over the Thames to
Leicester Square station. We went back the same way we came, the Piccadilly line,
which is the dark blue line if they call it that (I’m not sure), to Russel
Square station. Its only a very short walk from Russel Square to our hotel. We
were at the hotel for a bit, but then later that night we went out. This time
was our first time going without Shawn/someone who knew what they were doing,
but we figured it out! This time we were going to Tottenham Court Road station,
which meant we had to cross over to a different line for the first time. So, we
figured out to take the Piccadilly line from Russel Square to Holborn station,
which has both Piccadilly and Central (or the red) line. We crossed to Central
line and got on that tube to Tottenham Court, which was only one stop away. It
was nice that the tube system isn’t too confusing, and I think I feel pretty confident
about using it and getting around. When we were done for the night and wanted
to go ack to the hotel, we walking back to the station but it was closed.
Apparently, the tube stations close at midnight, but we didn’t know that until
later. Luckily it was only like a 20-minute walk back and it was so nice out
that it was great and I was actually glad the tube was closed so we had to walk
home. But it was a good first day of getting around, and hopefully I won’t have
any problems in the future. But overall, I am really liking London so far!!