Trains, Automobiles & Planes

My day so far has vacillated between times of panic and leisure. Got up at 8 am and read the news and made my ‘final’ pre-Swiss blog entry until 10am. I then realized that I hadn’t showered, I hadn’t packed, and I was leaving the country at 3:30pm. I quickly got ready, packed an overnight bag, got everything in order and left the hotel at 11am.

Then I had a nice, but nervous breakfast in Paternoster Square, before heading to the office (2 blocks) to drop off my bags. While at the office, I settled in to a computer to do a little business, when I realized again that I needed to hurry.

It’s just a short skip to St, Paul’s station…and that is where the day got interesting. The first trouble was that I couldn’t find the DLR train to the airport at the next tube stop. Down, down, down I went…through some tunnels…finding a sign in the distance, going down some escalators. Finally, I realized someone in front of me was going the same way. I just followed her.

The DLR platform has a sign that lists the next 3 trains for the next 45 minutes. None of them were going to London City. I loitered around the service desk until someone came out.

Me: Can I catch a train to London City from here?

Agent: Canning town.

Me: Sorry? (Looking up at the end points and seeing no trains to Canning Town.)

Agent: Canning Town!

Me: You mean the next train?

Agent: Yes.

Off to Canning Town. I jumped in the front car and suddenly realized…these trains have no drivers. I could see out of the front as if I were riding a carnival ride. The time was getting late…the distance on the map looked far. But it wasn’t bad…we go to Canning Town very quickly.

And then…no trains to London City. Turns out, the trains are closed today for maintenance. Down the stairs to the assistance booth. No trains, but bus service replaces the trains today. Go down the hall, out the door, platform D. The Double-decker arrives and we all stream out.

My goal was to make it to the airport by 1:30pm. At 1:20, I walked in the door and…no agents. They all took a lunch break until 13:45pm. So here I am, writing this post on my phone, waiting for the agents to get back.

This trip to London City airport has been an eye-opening experience for me.  On the way out, I got a chance to see industrial, sprawling London.  I saw that they have some of the same featureless office parks we have in the US.  I realized that I am lucky to be based in the old city.

I also learned that London has an amazing and flexible transportation system.  The answer for getting to the next stop is only one question away.  Sometimes one has to coax the answer out, but in my experience all the people associated with London transportation have been friendly and helpful.