The Tube in all it's Brilliance

England is a magical city. 

Possibly the magical city.

My magical city at the very least.

There is a vast majority of people who share the opinion that England, during the winter (and most other seasons for that matter) is one big bleak, dreary, life sucking mass of land. 
I think its beautiful. 
I hold the opinion that the grey overcast skies, biting chill of the breeze and complete darkness by five PM is simply marvelous. I could spend my days there indefinitely. If I had the cash to back me up. 

It's no lie that London is expensive. The lush shops and fine dining come at some cost, but everyone can splurge when they're on a holiday. Shhh...we won't tell anyone.

If you're like me and every building is like a work of art and has to be photographed from every angle then you'll be in London for a long while, and most likely get lost. Very lost.
If you're like me then you'll probably get lost for hours.
London may appear like a fairly spread out city, but as i discovered, if you walk long enough you might just find yourself at every major tourist attraction at one point or another. 

The prideful feeling achieved when one gets themselves from their hostel and to Oxford Street with no hassle, thanks to their trusty iPhone, is a great one. When, however that iPhone dies the feeling is not so fantastic. My pride lasted approximately an hour before I began making my way back to the hostel and found myself walking in circles. No matter which turn I took I somehow magically landed back in Oxford Street as if I was trapped in a London specific wormhole. 
I can't say it wasn't interesting. I found myself not only chancing upon Soho and Trafalgar Square, but Piccadilly Circus and Buckingham Palace. It's when you end up in streets that have doorman wearing top hats that you know you took a really wrong turn. 
What took me multiple days to see previously I accidentally saw in the space of a few hours.

The one thing that I believe everyone adores about London is the Tube. The most well executed public transport I've every experienced. Now the Tube is a place impossible to get lost in. I found it convenient, relatively priced with an Oyster Card and always, always on time. Simply brilliant. 

There is one thing, however, that still confuses my obviously simple mind concerning the tube. The Tube contains two separate systems of travel, if you will, the Underground and the Overground. The Underground is red and the Overground is orange. And yet while they have an Underground and an Overground the Underground goes above ground. Now how does that make any sense at all? It's a conundrum that I doubt I'll ever riddle out. But I do believe I'm okay with that. For now.                  
     

The Money Problem

I'm positive i'm not the only one that has the most enticing dreams of a world not reliant on how much money is in your wallet. 'Oh that top looks perfect on you, here take it free of charge,' 'a plane ticket to Italy you say? the plane has countless seats, here you go, we have more where that came from.' I'd even settle for the good old days of trade. 'I'll give you two chickens for that hunting knife...or your daughter, either one will do.' A deliciously twisted version of reality.     

Now there was once a time, long ago in my history, when money wasn't the all consuming black hole of our universe and you were a king with two dollars in your palm. It was Mum and Dad that you went to with all money related problems and nine times out of ten you came out the winner of compromise. I wouldn't even be able to count the number of times i traded household chores for a couple of bucks. We all, however, grow up. Unfortunately. Though it's the memories you create along the way that makes it all worth while.

It's an unfortunate fact of life that money rules. You can't get around it. Whether you're saving to travel half way around the world or you're just in the mood for a block of chocolate. For young adults that currently have no long term commitments, bills to pay or time consuming responsibilities the money problem becomes a little simpler. Though not if your planning an outrageously expensive trip to the UK and Europe. Now while this may be looking like one massively uninteresting ramble about my money woes, it's not...well not entirely. I did it. I got myself to both the UK and Europe for an extended period of time, and you could say that I was pretty chuffed at my saving efforts. 

Travelling cheaply is a necessity for most people. Hostels are your best friends people. They were definitely my Saviour. They scare some, the thought of sleeping in a room full of strangers. While yes sometimes it can be awkward maneuvering in such tight quarters, its the warm bed that you need to focus on. A place to crash after a long day of sightseeing for twenty pounds or less? Yes please.
Don't eat above your means. And in saying that you can't go passed British pub food. Cheap and utterly delicious. Its also a convenient place to mingle with the locals and meet some characters, like that guy next to you creating crazy billboard signs on his laptop. Mumbling to himself and cursing his mistakes all the way.
Alcohol will be your downfall. It's inevitable. All us twentysomethings forking out for our booze. Id suggest making an alcohol fun on the side with that one, I mean the alcohol can't be sacrificed. Bedding and food sure, but not the booze.   

I spent my money. Sometimes it felt good, other times not so much but putting that headache aside, its the stories you bring back that makes the money spent seem insignificant. 

Worth it.  

The Taxi with it's Illusive Light

Hailing a London Taxi is practically a rite of passage for tourists.

If not for the simple fact that it's a fancy London taxi, then for the entertaining characters the drivers turn out to be.

Let me be straight: The London taxi is a T.A.R.D.I.S!

 Honestly. I'm being completely, professionally serious. Well...maybe T.A.R.D.I.S-esque. I have a feeling they won't get you through time and space in time for a very important date. But they certainly are bigger on the inside. Nice and spacious. And they can even hold three women all with too much luggage each, uncomfortably.

Now i'll be honest, for me at least the task of waving down a speeding taxi was a daunting thought. The idea of it was scary enough. Standing by the side of a busy road with my arm stuck up in the air, waving it about like a lunatic while I watch the black car zoom past me with a giggling passenger in the back. Nightmare. It's at that point, seeing the strangers lips tilt upwards, that you realise it. The light wasn't on. That illusive light that screams, "Hey! There's no one in this one!" The light that apparently everyone knows about except, of course, me.

Its hard to find, I'll tell you that now. You could be walking around for what will, at the time, seem like a decade searching for a lit up taxi (harder in daylight hours that is) and not find one. Or find yourself a taxi rank, get all excited, only to find all the drivers disappeared and on their lunch breaks.

Though, weary traveler, do not give up hope!  Your taxi will come, will stop and the most delightful elderly man might be behind the wheel. The Brit accent melting your heart.

Frenzied London traffic 

It's possible to learn all sorts of vital information, such as the latest concerning England vs. Australia in cricket or the finest pint of
beer to drink. Everything you need to stay connected with the real world behind the holiday veil.

My last bit of unimportant tips?
Watch the meter! It's a devilishly deceitful piece of technology.