Mommy's Day Out (London Edition)

I had the opportunity to join hubs in his business trip to London last month. Most of the time, he is out on meetings so I am  left alone. My plan was to meet my elementary classmate working in the city and/or my cousin's daughter who was there to study but "luckily", since the trip was planned shortly, both of the girls were outside UK at the time of our visit :)

I seldom walk on my own when I'm in a foreign land but London became an exception. The city is too beautiful, and friendly and organized which gave me a feel that being on my own won't be an issue. And here's to share some of my photos, tips and experiences from roaming around London all by myself.

1. London has one of the bests underground (Yes! They call it underground or tube and not train) and bus system. The best way to roam around the city is through mass transport system. So the first step when you are to go out alone is to pray for a safe trip then grab a free copy of their underground map which can be found in every underground station (or download it here). If you will be staying for a couple of days, it would also help to buy a stored value card called Oyster Card. It can be used on tubes and buses and fares are cheaper than buying single journey tickets.

2. The buses accommodate guide dogs and baby strollers or baby buggies :) So if you are travelling with a baby, taking the bus would be better because the bus door and the pedestrian are of the same level. You can bring your buggy inside with ease. Taking the tube is okay too however some tube stations doesn't have lifts so it will be quite a work-out to carry the baby buggy up and down the stairs.

3. If you are lost (which I doubt you'll be) or need help on directions, ask :) It's an English speaking nation so I never felt alienated at all. The radios were playing the same songs I hear at home.

4. Take photos! One of the challenges of walking/travelling alone is taking pictures of yourself. If you are ardent, you can bring your tripod. Otherwise, here are two things you can do:

a) A Selfie

b) Ambush Ask someone to help take a photo of you. My suggestion is to look for a couple, offer your help in taking a picture of them. Then ask them to do the same. Heheh.

This one's a product of item b but an unsuccessful one. Probably because I approached a Mommy of two here instead of a couple based on my suggestion above.

Me (after taking a photo of her and her kids): Can you take a photo of me also?

Lady: Oh, you want me to take a "picture of you"?

Me: Yes please. Here, with the horses.

Lady: Okay sure. 

Then.. One, two, three. Say cheese!!

Jaraaan! "Picture of me" Literally :)

But there were success stories too. Like this one :)

5. The classic red telephone booths are not being used as often anymore. Well, I wasn't able to try if there was a dial tone but all of the booths I saw were full of sexy female photos and numbers to contact if in need of a massage service :) Not to mention that they smell stinky :) But they are cute, I admire the government's effort to maintain such kind of symbols. 

They also have wifi booths where you can connect to wifi for free.

6. It would help that you wear comfortable shoes when walking or shopping in London. I went to Oxford Street, a major road in the City of Westminster and Europe's busiest shopping street in my bronze doll shoes. Halfway through my walk, I had to buy myself a pair of sneakers to save myself from sorrow!

7. Bring a fold-able umbrella. Especially if you are traveling in August, weather in London can be like a woman having her PMS. It could be sunny and rainy in one day. 

8. Be vigilant. And of course, though walking in the streets of London can make you feel safe and carefree (at least for me, comparing it with the feeling I had when walking in the streets of other European countries), it won't hurt to be vigilant especially when crossing the streets because of the right-hand traffic! And most of all, don't forget to have fun and enjoy the view :)