The train ride would have been bearable even with jetlag had not another passenger decided she
wanted to sing. This old woman, an obvious American Idol reject, began singing, or murdering, what sounded like
Chinese folk songs as loud as she could.
When I couldn't take it anymore, I said something. Then I said it again. Everyone else seemed to mumble in
approval. She just looked at me and gave me the thumbs up. A guy across from her laughed and began to sing along.
Soon they were both singing and the train was mumbling in discontent more. Yet there was no resolution. English
manners still prevailed. But I had had enough and,lest I look too improper, switched carriages. It took two
carriages before the woman's singing faded away but silence finally filled the air.
It s funny how you can learn a lot about a culture in instances like this. The English are famously reserved. The
other passengers felt similar despite also being annoyed by it. The English are well known for their reserve and
politeness and rather be perceived as impolite, they'd tolerate an annoyance such as this lest they look too
improper. In America, the whole train would have thrown that woman out by now.
With London being so massive, I divided the city into little sections. Today, I explored the Thames river and the
plethora of sights around it. I saw Trafalgar square and walked down Whitehall Street where all the governmental
offices are until I came upon Big Ben. There I was in front of the icon of London and, gazing upon this giant
clock, was disappointed. I had expected him to be...bigger. The Parliament tower went higher than Ben. I had always
pictured Ben to be very tall (not that he's short) but it was a little disappointing to see his stature tinier than
I imagined. I guess all those angled shots from movies have ruined me much like the close of Mt. Rushmore hid the
fact it too is tiny. Not to say it wasn't beautiful it was. Big Ben was still amazing and as I ate lunch in the
shadow of him and Parliament, I couldn't help but be in awe of their Gothic architecture. I'm glad Guy Fawkes
didn't blow them up he would have robbed humanity of such wonderful things.
One thing that did sadden me about London is all the congestion and construction around their tourist sights. I
found that some of the best tourist cities in the world shield their historical sites from modern development.
Philadelphia's historic area is blocked, parts of Rome are no drive zones as is Athens Parthenon. It allows you to
enjoy the cities without having to dodge big double decker buses. If I had one complaint about London's historic
sites, it would be that. Attractions lose some of their historic wonder and magnificence when surrounded by
construction crews, buses, and trains. It's hard to throw yourself in the age when construction crews are blasting
sidewalk behind green fences. I know it is hard when cities are so big and congested but if other places can do it,
I have faith London could too.
Comment: What a shame this writer's journey was disturbed by singing on the train, but
probably by an X Factor not american Idol reject! It's possible that the other passengers didn't want to say
anything because they didn't want to aggravate the situation rather than it being English reserve.
This reminds me of 2 train journeys that I took. The most recent was traveling the 20 miles from Leeds.
Two teenagers were singing Jam's Going Underground and it made me smile to hear youngsters singing a song from
my youth - I almost joined in!
The other train journey was from London to Leeds and 2 American ladies were in the same carriage. I knew that
they were American because even though they were half a carriage away I could hear every word that they said and I
didn't want to hear any of it. The great English reserve prevailed there - nobody asked them to quieten down even
though I'm sure that everybody in that carriage was fed up of hearing about how quaint England is - for over 2
hours!
Given the choice I would rather have singing disturb my travel than be forced to listen to other peoples
conversations.
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