Subways....No Fears....Maybe a Little

Terri and I decided to conquer our fear of subways and trains right from the start.  We have never had them or used them in our first sixty some years of life.  All we had to do is walk underground, pay a few Pounds or Euros, jump on a train and zoom into a black hole.  Easy. 

She's smiling.

They have signs everywhere. Go this way, go that way.  It's all Greek to us, it might actually be in Greek for all we know.  Each country seems to have several languages.

The saving grace has been kind people.  In our first week we have had at least a dozen nice people ask if they could help us.  Yes, thank you!

Our mantra has been, "If we go the wrong way we'll just hop off and go the other way."

So far we like our experience.  Both London and Brussels subways have been fast and efficient.  They have also been a cultural experience.  Yesterday a lady entered the subway, took out her microphone and began singing Hungarian ballads.  Life doesn't get any better than Karaoke on the train.

I believe that Belgium must have rules about the names of subway stations and streets.  Rule 1. All names must contain a minimum of 19 letters and preferably 26 to 34 letters.  Rule 2. The name must be unpronounceable.  Rule 3. The letters must look like some child has pounded madly on a keyboard with their eyes closed.

Here's my theory on the planning for subway design and layout.  They hire or rent a spider and what ever "web" the spider builds is the design for the subway system.  I may not be correct but I believe I am close to the truth.

Let's talk about fast.  The Eurostar train we took from London to Brussels travels at 186 kph and manages to go under the English Channel at the same time.  Let's see how Seattle's underground works if it ever gets finished.  Go Big Bertha.

Now that we have conquered our fears and are experts at subways and trains we are ready to take on the rest of Europe.  Well maybe we will still need a little help from all those kind locals.

Mocha and pastry in Paddington Station.