Tourists: Why?

I suggest he hand it over to the mafia, as was discussed over on... Oh I don't know what thread. The NYC subway is run by the mafia and runs fairly properly. The London Underground is run by the government and doesn't.

Basically... how can the tube get any worse?

People calling themselves 'travellers' rather than tourists = dud. Tourists who stand around in groups at the entrance to Notting Hill Gate tube on a Saturday morning = even bigger dud.

Is this thread about underground trains, or tourists?

If it's about trains, I had a terrible accident on the way home yesterday... Didn't involve tourists though.

It could get worse if they decided to instigate another price hike with zero imporovement in service and still no all-night running. and current probability of this is about 100%, I'd say.

Bill

No, it's about tourists, sorry. Didn't mean to derail the conversation (mwah hah hah me so punny).

I do not understand groups of tourists. I do not understand people who go on package holidays. I do not understand people who can only experience the wonders of other countries and cultures while crammed in a coach with 50 other people of their own nationality.

I don't mind tourists when they are on their own, just one or two of them. That seems actually fairly brave and rather cool, and shows evidence of some sort of self sufficiency and native curiosity.

But tourists en masse should just be gunned down. That was why I thought the tour coach strike in the Ballerics was so KEWL. I used to work in Rockefeller Centre in NYC, and for FUCKS SAKE!!! It is an OFFICE BUILDING!!! We are trying to WORK here!!! Stop taking pictures of the sidewalk and get out of my way, I only have half an hour for lunch!!!! Kill!!! Kill!!!!!!

I completely understand the package holiday mentality - I occasionally even go on them. I live in a country which - not withstanding the last two weeks - it is usually miserable, cold and grey. I would like to live in a country where it is hot, sunny and I do not have to work. However I do not want to live in a country where I do not know the language, cannot speak to anyone and there is funny food that I do not like. Hence package holiday is taking your country abroad. Yep its latter day imperialism, but if you are going on a holiday as a break from your workaday life why are such enclaves necessarily a bad thing? I live a hugely cosmopolitan life at home after all.

I'll grant that there are problems when such an enclave suddenly becomes a rampant culture which takes over an entire island (parts of Ibiza) but perhaps this is just a latter day expression of the nomadic spirit.

I'm possibly more dismissive of people travelling for a year. I spent two weeks in ahostel in Prague once and saw so many Britons, Americans and Australians come in for a day, see the sights and then leave - in some vain effort to "Do Europe". They might as well look in a guidebook. At the same time the attempt to live on a shoestring is possibly a great experience - and what they will actually remember, rather than the time they had sloppy shits outside the Parthenon.

I like tourist. I am a tourist.

Last night the train north from Finsbury Park was 10 minutes late, then 20 minutes late, then 35 minutes late.

Finally, with 1 minute to go, they announced it was running fast to Welwyn from Finsbury Park, missing all the little stops, because it was so late. When it arrived, not a single person actually got on because NO-ONE was going to Welwyn. Then 2 blokes attempted to board the driver's cab by force, backed by about 30 supporters, while the driver swore at them and screamed on his radio for backup.

They couldn't get in so they decided to pull the emergency cord at each station but staff said the doors would be locked if they did and EVERYONE in the carriage would be arrested.

So the empty train went on its way.

What time did the next train come?

The zen master of late trains says if it says the train will be later than 15 minutes - go to the pub. the trains at 11 O'Clock are much more reliable, comfy and empty. You could have even gone bowling at Rowans.

Why would anyone want to go north from Finsbury Park?

why would anyone want to even be in finsbury park? (scurries quickly down blackstock rd)

To get the 106 bus, quite obviously.