TFL and A to Z

Finally, the movers came over the weekend to pick up 14 years worth of stuff and things. The flat now positively looks like a Muji catalogue, besides the original vintage burgundy fitted carpet. Was it burgundy in the seventies? I guess we'll never know.

So, back to us and the thing I will be missing from London: let's hear it for TFL! wohoo!
Yes, I know, it is weird to sing the praise of TFL. Well, that only means that you clearly never had to live in a place where rail strikes are a weekly occurrences, where no one knows what goes where (including the staff)and the only people using public transport are the elderly, the underage or the people that can't afford a car. A place where buses are usually late but you are so used to it you won't even get mad, but on the opposite, you just feel exhilarated when you manage to spot the bus silhouette forming at the horizon like a strange mirage of hope. Night transport is something that basically doesn't exists, because after all, the elderly, the underage and the slightly poor people shouldn't go out at night anyway, either because they can't or because they can't afford it.

Before mobiles became the extensions of our limbs, people used to rely on tube maps and A to Z guides to move around London. I still own one, always kept it in case of a viral zombie invasion and subsequent power shortage. After all, I will need to know where I am going during a zombie apocalypse. I got my very own A to Z right after landing in Heathrow, far back in September 2001. I came straight to from the airport to Oxford Street with a suitcase (containing 6 months worth of winter clothing AND with only one working wheel) and a backpack. The next trip of the day was a bus fare from Oxford Street to King's Cross, to my new flat. I clearly remember feeling smug about it too (look at me, little foreign girl manages to go where she was meant to, in another country! Go Anna!). That smug feeling kinda wore off pretty quickly, as soon as I realised that any idiot could do that, but it still left an impression on my car owning mum and my car owning auntie though (so young and so brave! - yes yes I am!). Point is, moving in London is extremely easy. 24 hours transports, wow. You can get completely shit faced and still get home safely, even if you live in the sticks. It might take you hours, but you will get there baby!
Also, some routes are down right beautiful. If you have family members or friends visiting, instead of going to the tacky guided bus tour with the annoying tour guide talking all the times, I would recommend you take the bus route 11 from Liverpool Street. It takes you through the City passing down the Strand, up to Westminster. Thank me later :)