Week 4 Impressions by Taylor Simmons

The tube is an interesting place to be. The first time I went I was overwhelmed by all the people that surrounded me. I thought to myself “how the hell am I going to use this on a regular basis?” However it was like anything else you practice for a while. Practice made perfect. Now that I am comfortable on the tube I am more prone to take in my surroundings while on it rather than worrying about missing my stop. At some times during the day taking the tube is a very quiet experience. At these times I tend to listen to my music because the silence is too much. Even the bobbing of my head to the beat of the music attracts attention at these times. As I notice glances and sometimes even blatant stares I try to stand still and just blend in. At other times the tube is packed with little kids running about. The children mill around the tube amongst the people, trying to avoid the big feet of the people surrounding them. Sometimes talking to each other, completely ignoring the glares the silent people around them are giving them. These kids have the right idea in my opinion. The tube is like this at rush hour in the morning and the evening.

At night, especially on the weekend it turns into the transportation for those looking to have a good time. The average age at this time is at least 15 years younger than when I take the tube in the morning to work. The silent glares are no longer as common. Everybody is chattering away. The business suits have come off and the high heels and mini skirts have taken over. At this time of night you no longer feel self conscious. In fact I have found that it can be quite a fun place if you let it be.

The tube can also be a place to hear some funky music. As I boarded the tube one night this man had his violin in his lap. I thought, “well, that’s kind of odd,” and just went on ignoring him. As he raised his bow to the strings it became a different place in that tube. Everyone turned their heads. However, instead of intense glares, wide smiles took over their faces. The tube stations are also a good place to experience live music. I’ve seen people playing anything from guitars to instruments I have never seen before. This is much more common then the violinist on the tube, but it never fails to put a smile on my face. I don’t know if it is the music that makes this next observation a reality, but the one thing that I have noticed about the tube is that it is thought of as a proper place to show huge amounts of public displays of affection. I find this ironic. I cannot bob my head without some sort of attention but a couple can be kissing quite vigorously without much attention paid to them. It’s an interesting concept to me. I wonder what they think when they get on that tube. Maybe it’s a kind of aphrodisiac. In any case, it seems to be the place to go if a couple can’t wait to get home to kiss and fondle each other. If you ask me it’s a little unsanitary, but I can’t say what I would do if I was in the same situation.

OK, this may sound silly, but the tube is kind of magical. Think about it. You get on at one stop. You ride it for a couple of minutes and then BAM you are in a completely different part of London. As I got off the tube in East Ham I was amazed at how different it is from the area I work in. It is the most diverse place I’ve visited. As I walked I heard every language I was able to recognize and some that I didn’t at all recognize. I couldn’t believe a fifteen minute tube ride had taken me here.

As I ride the tube more and more I keep expecting for it to be the same as a ride that I have taken before. However, I don’t know that this will ever happen.