Day Nine: Subway, Underground, U-Bahn

This is the last of my “one picture a day” series. I caught a fleeting image on the run. How telling it is: “Next is now. Choose happiness.”

When visiting New York, London, or Munich, you will take the tube at some point. This transportation mode is usually fast, frequent, and “facile”—unless you have a physical mobility impairment. Interchanges may require quite a bit of walking. Now, here is the scoop: in New York you swipe the metro card, in London you touch in and out with the “oyster”, and in Munich you fold and stamp a “Streifenkarte”. My opinion after the trip? The London Underground is the best. In Harry Potter-like manner you float upwards on endless escalators next to animated picture frames advertising the newest perfumes or plays. Although much crowded at times, especially at the three-level Waterloo station, the London Underground magically works. Friendly or not, there is always staff nearby who you can ask. In Munich you will be all on your own with mystifying U-Bahn zones and ticket deals. Not a conductor in sight, unless he wants to catch you with a mistake.

Day Eight: City of Dragons

London is the city of lions, dragons, and unicorns. At White Hall I saw a pair of chimeric creatures with a unicorn front half and a dragon’s tail guarding the gate. You can spot the dragon slayer, St. George, throughout the city in conspicuous locations: atop an impressive column in front of Westminster Abbey, embedded in the Royal coat of arms at Buckingham Palace, and in a “Glockenspiel” at the Liberty Inn near Carnaby Street. “Puff” Invictus, however, sans St. George, guards the ancient City of London atop London Bridge that hasn’t fallen down (so far).

When you go to London next time, watch out for fairy tale creatures. Gremlins, gargoyles, and phantoms are lurking behind every corner.

Day Seven: More Royal Sights

NOTE: On left, near muzzle, the pigeon fleeing the cannon (Tower of London).

The “Amazing Race” used to be my favorite reality show. Remember the “make it or break it” travel destination competitions? Visiting London in the summer feels just like it: hustle and bustle like you wouldn’t believe. Three last words about the 1-day London Pass: do your research and practice your fast-track itinerary beforehand; take the underground, not the sight-seeing buses to and fro; and compare the “family packages” (47 pounds at Windsor for a family of 5) against the London Pass. Anyhow, we performed quite well as tourists. We visited Windsor Castle, the Tower and Crown Jewels, Churchill’s War Room, the National Gallery, the Tate Gallery, and Westminster Abbey. We walked the Buckingham Palace, Whitehall, Leicester Square, and Piccadilly Circus. Next Time? Definitely Stonehenge. There seem to be enough convenient day trips from central London.

Day Six: The Scoop about the 1-Day London Pass

The London Pass (ca. 50 Brit. pounds, all major attractions) is a good deal when you are smart about it. Do your map research and select costly, central-London highlights. By all means do the Tower of London, Churchill’s War Room, one of the Royal Palaces etc. Did you know that you can see Westminster Abbey for free at 5 p.m. Evening Song? DON’T try to cover Windsor Castle with the 1-day pass. You might run out of time while puttering along with the slow commuter train. Otherwise, the London Underground is clean and excellent. The London tube seems quieter than a church, whereas the New York subway might spring on you a preacher from hell. London is a great place to explore. I have been looking for dragons in every corner. Unexpectedly, we spotted some Royalty on Waterloo Day (June 18) in front of St. Paul’s Cathedral.

QUIZ ABOUT THE PICTURE: Both paintings are by El Greco from the National Gallery. During his time (1541-1614), he had truly “personal” style. There is a 20-year age difference between the paintings. Which is the older one?

Day Five: Not in Manhattan any more

One Picture a day continues in London: Flying was easy, arrival swell. Our Indian-descent taxi driver to Wimbledon showed us the lush commons with impressive oak trees and frolicking, tough-bred brewery horses. Cottages, taverns, quaint medieval churches—we had landed in a storybook scenery. And you know what? No problem with figuring out the Underground at all. The railway official behind the counter gave us a whole run-down of options and a fist-full of brochures. And the conductor demonstrated how to swipe the magic cards. The Underground was clean and swift and orderly.