Solitude on the Underground

Piccadilly line - Westbound (which is confusing by the way if you happen to be on the section that runs north/south through the centre of London! Interesting evening on a relatively quiet tube tonight. Everyone seems rather thoughtful. There are only around 25 people in the carriage, it would be interesting to know what they are all thinking. The woman opposite looks tired of life. Not even enough energy to look tired or upset, just lacking any sort of emotion and probably quite happy just to sit and do nothing on the tube. 

Apart from the fact I'm sitting here blogging about her, the tube is quite a private place to be really. People don't talk to each other, mobile phones more or less still don't work on the tube, and you can't even look out the window at anything.  The only links with the real world is via a pre-recorded 'Mind the gap' message that plays at regular intervals and even then I'm sure that is just a clever combination of train like echo's that have traveled through the underground network.  Stripped of the distractions of the world above, this therefore is probably a good place for some peaceful reflection time, which is clearly why this woman is here.  Perhaps TFL could introduce Oyster Solitude, an oyster card for people that just want to get away from it all. Obviously lines such as the circle line would need to be cheaper, forgetting for a moment the shambolic service it offers, it isn't even fully underground.

A man sits laughing to himself, I think he is laughing at the drunk man who fell into the doorway as he tried to get on the train. Or  possibly he is laughing at the face I pulled as the drunk man fell in the door.  There are plenty of seats but the drunk man has chosen to stand, I'm not even going to speculate as to why this drunk is here since I'm not even sure he knows.

Russell square: A man gets on with the largest suitcase I've ever seen, he simply must be American. This train is heading to Heathrow, but surely he won't be returning to the states tonight, it is too late for the last flight. This is obviously an American take on a backpacking trip around Europe, except he has replaced the backpack with a portable home. 

A slim woman sits with a McDonald's.  Perhaps she preferred a change of lifestyle. 

Holborn: A chatty couple get on, I don't think they are together. They are discussing how each tube line differs "the central line is hot" yes well aren't they all? She is looking forward to her birthday wine when she gets home, and I wonder if he is invited to join her. She has just suggested that the wine is for a special occasion. He is trying to work out what this means and hasn't yet responded to that comment.  Is he that special occasion? Well it's not my place to say, but really? Leicester square: they get off.  I hope he hasn't made any silly assumptions.

The woman opposite continues to sit staring aimlessly into space, possibly wishing she had an oyster solitude card, as she will have now incurred a zone 1 charge to her journey, which I'd imagine wouldn't happen with the Solitude card.

The Olympics have begun

Day one of the Olympics. Finsbury park, midday. Fairly busy already. Everyone looks miserable. Didn't they see the ceremony last night?? One woman is standing, she is wearing denim shorts that aren't quite long enough to cover her bum. She has however bothered to put shoes on, which is a wise precaution for tube travel.
Highbury and Islington: Very busy now, which makes sense as its one of the connections to Stratford, where they olympic stadium is located. A really horrible smell has boarded. Down the carriage a woman is holding a can of juice of some sort. It's almost like she is trying to drink it , but at the same time she actually looks like she is going to be sick into it, she is holding the can very close to her mouth. She doesn't look well at all.
Kings cross: Tube is now full. Boris Johnson has just made an announcement about checking before you travel, this advice is coming a bit late, we are indeed mid travel at this point, amusing all the same. A small man is wedged in the doorway, I've never seen someone look so frightened! I think he is enjoying the experience though. He is the right height for it, fits nicely under the curvature of the door.  A concerned looking lady is shouting/nagging at her husband. I assume it's a husband, women don't seem to treat anyone else in this way.  It seems that she can't follow where they are on the tube map and is somehow taking it out on him.  He probably doesn't know where they are either, but is keeping a calm face whilst completely ignoring her.

 
Oh my god, someone is reading the metro, on a Saturday!? London may be a large and busy city but it's incredibly predictable. People wear suits and read metros on weekdays only. Perhaps it's yesterdays. Maybe the tube cleaner was at the opening ceremony? 
Euston: A man is standing in the middle of the carriage. He isn't holding on. Such a daredevil.  He is looking around out of curiosity, trying to maintain balance without holding on, he just smiled at me... Why did he do that? Actually I think I smiled at him. I think we have engaged in some flirtatious glances without me knowing.  I do struggle to hide my facial expressions, and the smiling is more me still amused at the small man wedged in the doorway, he is however rather attractive - the balancing man not the doorway one. Maybe he knows I'm writing about him, which actually is a little weird when you think about it. 
Warren Street: Another man sits listening to music. He is making faces and obviously hasn't realised everyone is watching. Sticking his tongue out, screwing up his eyes, making different facial expressions, watching himself in the reflection of the window. He has unusual dimensions. Quite a large hair style, but then a tiny little head and quite a long and thin body.  He looks like an upside down mop, actually he'd probably get a part in the that scene from the sorcerers apprentice as one of the brooms, if he wanted it that is.

'It's a great time to be British'

Victoria line 14.33

Euston: Fairly busy today and everyone is quiet as usual. Somebody smells quite nice, which makes a change down here. Perhaps TFL should create a new position for such people. A nice smelling person to simply sit on the tube during peak and summer time.  Ooh they could even have different fragrances on each line.

Kings cross: Sweaty pong returns, dream over. It's not as busy as I'd expect given that the Olympics are fast approaching, although it's quite clear most people here are at least in the spirit of the Olympics, dressed with the team GB t-shirts, which I'm becoming more and more keen to purchase. Actually, I'd quite like a lot of the 2012 merchandise, especially the diving rubber duck!

 
On the theme of Team GB, an advert for British Airways "Don't fly, Support team GB" What on earth? Who are these morons that come up with ideas like this?

Highbury and Islington: One woman appears to be reading a blank book, very curious. Maybe she has special vision or something, or maybe she is easily pleased. She has spent some time now looking at the Purple coloured page at the back of the book. Maybe it's a form of therapy, or more likely she needs it? She might just be looking for inspiration. Perhaps this was how the 'Don't fly' thing came about.  Further down, a fat man is reading the metro. The front cover says 'it's a great time to be British' I'm not sure I agree although it's certainly an exciting time to be here in London. Another man is sitting listening to something on his headphones. He just pulled a really stroppy face. I wonder what kind of music brings that face out in people, or what has he just thought of? An argument earlier in the day? Or maybe he has just realised payday isn't actually till after the weekend like I did earlier.  He looks too local to be bothered about the tube, he must be used to all that. Perhaps he has just imagined meeting the fool behind that Don't fly advert.

Bank branch

Sunday, 3pm
Busy here! Almost like rush hour. I blame the tourists.  Well they look like tourists, although nobody appears to be consulting maps, only tourists could wear such ridiculous clothes. I don't mean the nonsense that these fools that think they are fashionable wear. No no, it's Hawaiian shirts and big camera's and families with matching t-shirts.  Perhaps these people should have looked up how not to look like an idiot before arriving in London.  Further down the carriage one guy sits perched up on the bench at the end of the carriage trying to look casual, I'm waiting on him falling off, he doesn't look stable at all!  He doesn't have the type of face that deserves sympathy anyway, he somehow manages to look like he hates us all.

Angel proves to be a popular stop, many get off, but are quickly replaced.  There is a couple standing right in front of me now. Awkward. He is standing over her, playing with her hair and looking right in my direction. He looks bored. She is moaning about something, he clearly doesn't care and meanwhile I'm sitting below the falling debris from her head.  What is it with woman and long hair, it gets everywhere.  Ooh a lady with a massive Tupperware box with what looks like a really big cookie inside! I want some! AHHHH she is getting off at Kings Cross. Come back!

Some curious characters getting on here at Kings Cross as well as a few poadgey blokey men. Clearly they have been drinking already, I can smell it. They also clearly make a habit of it judging by their waist size.... They get off at Euston. Trains go to Glasgow from Euston, I wonder if they are Glasweigan? Next stop Camden, relatively normal crowd now considering. Actually that explains some of the curious characters that got on earlier. I'm betting they will get off at Camden. *waits*  Train approaches Camden..... No movement yet.... Doors open... And there they go. Camden really does attract some strange people! *Sneaks off behind them*

Further reading:

http://www.wikihow.com/Avoid-Looking-Like-an-American-Tourist

Evening on the Victoria Line

7.30pm. There is a youngish woman standing right at the end of the carriage, wearing a hat. God she looks miserable. The expensive clothes she appears to be wearing don't seem to make her happy. Sometimes people can look more miserable than they actually are I suppose.  Highbury and Islington: Grumpy cow leaves, she isn't replaced. I hope her hat doesn't getting blown off as the train leaves the station, then again perhaps it's exactly what she needs.

At the other end of the carriage, two young ladies/girls sit beside each other, one is on her phone, the other sits looking bored chewing on gum and picking hairs off of her clothes. Modern day friendship? Maybe the one on the phone is texting the other. Opposite me, a young man sings to himself. One of these border line awkward social situations. No reason why he can't, but weird nevertheless that he is. It's not a big deal, his voice is hidden by the rattle of the tube. He seems happy. Good for him, I wonder how he sounds. He has just picked up a takeaway bag ewwww. Looks like one of those Indian takeaway things. Old? Well it can't be fresh, I've never seen a takeaway on the Victoria line before.

Picadilly Line

Manor house: Quiet half filled carriage this bank holiday, only 2 girls talking, one holding a big white box like the kind that may have a cake in! She hasn't offered to share any yet however, greedy bitch.  Some people get on at finsbury park. People carefully select the seats that don't have anyone sitting next to then and some stay standing afraid to use the other seats. One tall woman is not put off and takes the seat next to me, at least she doesn't smell. She brings out a map. TOURIST! At least the map itself doesn't look overly touristy. She is using the index. I like this. she manages to make it look like she is casually reading some novel. 2 more on at arsenal. A guy with trousers below his bum and bottoms turned up over his shoe. Has he not understood the function of trousers or do they just not fit over that massive bum of his. The map reader is flicking the pages back and forth quickly. She is getting flustered now, which is unsurprising given that the map looks more suited to aviation navigation with all these weird lines on it - no not the roads! Coming to kings cross, the carriage is quite chatty now! Definitely a bank holiday! Working London does not talk and travel. Map woman now scratching her head. She is confused for sure. The cake people leave followed by map woman and others.

A woman that got on earlier and left baggage at the door is now sleeping. Freebies? A large man is sitting looking at the tube map above, looking more lost in himself than lost on the tube. I wonder if he really cares where he is going. An older woman at the other side got on at Russell square she has one of those scary old woman faces and glasses to match but also appears to have a grandson, which makes her less scary somehow, unless she is the mum in which case I feel sorry for the son. She just looked at me over the rim of her glasses. A man got on earlier with a bag covered in badges. He just referred to one of them as if it was a new addition but somehow I don't think so, they all look very old and battered to me.  A man has just stood up to look at the tube map carefully - another lost tourist. He is trying the casual approach and it just isn't working, having not made progress he continues to stand as if he actually just wanted to stretch his legs and admire the pretty colours on the map. He got off at Piccadilly circus, I imagine that is where he wanted to be. Bonus points to him if he follows the way out sign properly, not sure that he has though.

Victoria Line at Xmas

Finsbury park: Busy already! London is crazy with Xmas shopping! Couple sitting opposite me seem a bit odd, the guy is smiling at something, they are the most unlikely match, maybe they are brother and sister. She is too attractive for him either way. A pair of guys further down are drinking something out of a thermo flask. Dodgy task on a tube, but sensible in this cold weather. 2 chatty women get on at highbury and Islington. Always nice for someone to break the London underground silence. Another woman doing her makeup, is she using time efficiently or is this just yet more stupidity. I mean really, some tasks should not be done on the tube. But then.maybe I should give more credit to her ability to do that so well with all the bouncing about. Then again, I haven't seen her face... Kings cross: someone smells. Euston: nothing to report other than the state of one mans hair, it really is a disgusting mess. His glasses don't help his look either. Warren street: Chatty girl declares she feels 'horrible'. Her trousers are dirty that's for sure. The sister/wife opposite is also looking at chatty girl with a smile, what has she seen??