London has a lot to offer and it’s easy to see why it’s such a magnet for people from all over the world.
It’s a city that never sleeps, with something new and exciting happening at every turn.
Whether it’s trying out new cuisines, strolling through beautiful parks, exploring unique shops or meeting diverse people, there’s never a dull moment in this vibrant capital.
Having relocated from New Zealand in March, I’ve found myself completely smitten with many aspects of London life. The energy, the diversity, the constant buzz – I love it all.
But there’s one thing that sets me apart from most Londoners.
I am utterly enamoured with the underground.
Yes, it has its quirks – it can be noisy, crowded and not always as clean as one might wish – but it’s nothing short of miraculous. It allows me to navigate this sprawling metropolis with ease.
All I need to do is head to the nearest station, swipe my phone and sit back until I reach my destination.
And let’s not forget its reliability. Sure, there may be occasional delays or cancellations, but in my seven months here, I’ve never had to wait more than 10 minutes for a train.
That’s something unheard of back home. In my hometown, missing a bus meant a coin toss chance of another showing up, usually after a 15-minute wait.
More often than not, walking was the quicker option. And it’s not like I lived in the middle of nowhere – both cities I resided in were major urban centres, yet flying between them was faster than taking a bus to my university campus.
Hailing from New Zealand – a place where lack of a car essentially confines you to your suburb – the underground is nothing short of a marvel.
My homeland, though loved for many reasons, certainly doesn’t earn any accolades for its public transport network.
The buses in New Zealand are notoriously unreliable, often bordering on invisible, and cross-country rail services are virtually non-existent.
Hence, the ability to hop onto a train and travel anywhere feels miraculous.
However, my affection for the tube extends beyond its mere efficiency.
I am enamoured by its rich history, and nothing brings me more joy than spotting one of the ‘poems of the underground’ displayed amongst the advertisements during my journey.
This remarkable series was initiated as an experiment in January 1986 by three writers: Judith Chernaik, Cicely Herbert and Gerard Benson.
These creative minds convinced the London Underground to feature poems on its trains, a tradition that has been upheld ever since.
These small touches of personality on the trains provide a delightful reading opportunity, especially given the absence of signal during most of my journeys.
The unavailability of phone connectivity is another aspect of the tube that I cherish.
In an era where I’m perpetually attached to either of my two phones (work and personal), the tube offers a much-needed respite from the constant pressure of being reachable.
It has rekindled my love for reading; since moving here, I’ve managed to finish at least 10 books, with most of the reading done during my commutes.
Overall, there’s a great deal to admire about London, but nothing captures my affection more than the underground.