Before visiting a place, we have certain expectations. We have made associations in our mind, be it from media exposure or what we’ve learned in school. When I think of China, I think of the Great Wall. Before I came to London, I thought of Big Ben and the Union Jack. Turns out, some iconic symbols of London are actually quite omnipresent.
As it turns out, elephants roam the streets here. They’re big and red and can really clog things up at the more popular watering holes. Red double-decker buses. Before London, my only encounter with these monstrosities was on 8th street. Students at NYU are accustomed to these massive tour buses intersecting our walk to school at University Place, as they parade from west to east on 8th, then down Broadway a bit, rain, snow, or shine. Filled with tourists, we learn to scoff at these beasts chartering the undoubtedly inexperienced, just as we learn to avoid Times Square at all costs.
New York conditioned me to believe that these buses were something extraordinary, reserved for special occasions and sight seeing. But when I arrived in London, they were everywhere. Herds and herds of these startlingly red buses. Filled with people going about their daily business.
It became evident that this mode of transportation was much more popular than it is in New York. To me, NYC is dominated by its subway system. I can’t say that isn’t true here, but I can say that before London, I had only rode a city bus twice. I’ve decided this is due to New York’s 24-hour subway system, whereas here in London the Tube shuts down at 12:30am on the weekends while the bus system is 24 hours.
So when the time came that I hit ‘Get Directions’ on Google maps and all the quickest and best routes were via bus, I was more than excited for the excuse to board the intimidating, red beast.
Without a doubt, I was quite eager to take part in London’s public transportation. Here I am, waiting for the 243, holding back my misplaced grin, among folk who are more concerned with where they’re going than how they’re getting there.
I raced to the top floor of the vehicle, and giddily rode along with the rushed, stressed, and work-bound locals. I wanted the bus to go slower–I’m certain they were willing it to move faster. I didn’t want to do anything but look out the window, and when I spotted Big Ben as we took a bridge over the River Thames, I finally felt like I lived here. London is my home now, if only for a few months.