I like public transport. Mass transit systems, like the El in Chicago, fascinate me. I figure on day I’ll end up doing some sort of work for them (and then going insane with the horrible management of it). So, part of the appeal of moving to London was being able to experience the Tube up close and personal. This will be the first of what might be too many posts about it.

Today I wanted to focus on the Tube during rush hour. Now, from what I’ve seen, London has their trains running at full tilt during rush hour. there is maybe 1-2 minutes between each train. And yet it still doesn’t matter. People constantly stream down to the platform. I tried to get on the Tube the day I arrived to go back to my hotel from the office and it took 10 minutes to get through the turnstyle (imagine 200 people trying to get through 3 gates).

This morning it dawned on me that the London Underground is about one step away from becoming the Tokyo during rush hour. Right now,there are not people with white gloves. But there are 2 or 3 people standing along the platform to signal that the trains are as full as they can get. A train arrives at the station and there is NO room. Two people get off and somehow, 10 people squeeze their way on the train. It’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced in the US. And, having a blog and all that, I thought I’d share. Soon I’ll secretly snap a photo of it so you can really get an idea of how crowded it is. Once I’m moved (tomorrow, I hope!), I’ll be taking the bus! 🙂

Those of you who read the comments might have noticed this entry by Carolyn. Anyone who has looked in the back of my now-former apartment might have noticed the lovely white car that was always sitting in back there. On my grandma’s 90th birthday, she gave that car to me. While it was a pain in the ass, it was a wonderful thing to have as I was previously without a car. My grandma died about a year and a half ago and the car didn’t last much longer than that. In usual Matt fashion, I didn’t get rid of it immediately. Finally, push came to shove and, as I was leaving the country, I finally dealt with dontating it to the American Heart Association. Carolyn, being the saint that she is, was kind enough to be available for the tow truck to take my fine little car on its last journey.

Anyway, if you are reading this, would you be so kind to raise a glass to my car and my grandma. May they both rest in peace. And a special thanks to Carolyn for being so helpful and wonderful.