The Parliament House and the Big Ben, Westminster, London
I was standing in the London underground at Westminster (near Big Ben and London Eye). I wanted to go to London Victoria. My sense of direction is absolutely pathetic, I can get lost even in a telephone booth if it has two exits. I had no clue which platform to go or which line to take. I of course had a map of the underground but maps always look like a tough puzzle to me, not yielding any clues about anything.
My best bet is to ask others and I have always benefited from the random kindness of the strangers. I had quickly realized that the people with the green vest (some sort of officials connected with the underground system) were the kindest. So, I approached one and asked “Hi, Can I go to Victoria from here?” I got a big grin and a reply, “You can go anywhere you want!” And then he directed me to the correct platform. I thanked him profusely. I again was told, “The pleasure is all mine!”
I am really grateful to people who give me the directions, because without them, I am dead. And I do hope I will slowly get to go anywhere I want!
Oh the English – he caught your grammar slip even in a small question. Looks like you enjoyed in London. Hoping to hear more soon.
That was a nice reply! :)Seems like you had a pretty good time in the UK.
Mridula, my best wishes for a happy Diwali to you and your family.
“You can go anywhere you want!” – an answer loaded with deep philosophical message. Few years back I worked in NY City for an MNC and had to go to London on a business trip. I was accompanied by a true New Yorker – he had fun time with English (as in England) phrases and usage of certain words. He cursed the city when he didn’t find a subway train in a London ‘Subway’.
Pooja, what was the slip? :)Deepak, my foreign trips are so rare that I do try to enjoy the most as I do not know, when will the next one happen.Indica, hope you too had a fabulous Diwali with your friends and family.Atul, thanks for sharing the incident. And I too felt the answer was philosophical and one day I should be able to do just the very same thing he predicted.
Well, if you had asked him, “Can I go to India from here?”, the reply would still have been the same.:DBTW, that picture is priceless!
Yes, Sidhu. I am sure he would have told me the way to India via Heathrow. I am glad you liked the picture.
I did Mridula, thank you. I’ve put up a small post on it today.
Thanks for sharing Indica.
This one is the best picture of your UK trip till date.
Thanks a lot for the thumbs up Cuckoo.