London Town! (Hufnagel)
By Kelly Hufnagel.
Before coming to London to study abroad I prepared myself by watching videos of people already abroad and trying to gather tips, and also by making a London playlist. As per the title of this post, the song London Town by the band Wings was on it, which is a song that essentially describes life in London before it was the more modernized city it is today. Going from listening to that song in my small city in New England to 3,429 miles away in London, England was a big change that I am still even now processing. When it hits me that I’m, in essence, living an everyday life in London (for the 4 months that I’m here) I’m filled with a little fear of the fact that I’m on a completely different continent but then it is all overwhelmed with the feeling of excitement and anticipation of, well, being on a completely different continent.
Just from the first weeks of being here it was revealed to me how beautiful of a city London is and also how big the city is. It sounds cliche to say, but it genuinely is like no other I have seen or visited. Not only is the size impressive, but the diversity is inspiring and the things to do are never-ending. In my first few weeks, I got a taste of London mainly through exploring and traveling — and in London, that means: the Tube!
As with most new things, it was initially a little intimidating. However, after the navigation app, CityMapper, saved me an incredible amount of time and stress, I fully recommend it to anyone who is new to public transportation in London. It is a simple use and is extremely helpful and clear when trying to figure out either getting in the pattern of a daily commute or visiting new places throughout the city. Although, after allowing it to help me get to destination A to B at the beginning of the semester, I have begun to catch on to the workings of the tube.
One of the first things I noticed was the quietness on the tube. It had been mentioned in a video of London I had watched before coming, but it had been odd to actually experience it. The same quiet etiquette is followed by almost everyone – which makes the Americans really stick out when they talk (a stereotype we really live up to).
Lunar New Year
London’s diversity is also to be pointed out and being on the tube, walking down the street, or sitting at a restaurant it is clear that this city is a hub for people of all colors, genders, and backgrounds.
While it is true that being in a new place can be daunting at times, it doesn’t come close to comparing to the excitement and curiosity of being there. London has so much to offer through the range of cultures, neighborhoods, and sites, there is something for everyone to discover no matter the person.
