Weekly 7 – February 13-19

Setting off into the dark of day to take any bus to Wardour Street stop, I landed on Bus 390 and sat in the front seat beside a blind Englishman, about 50ish years.  All buses were on detour for the next six months for the preparation of the CrossRail at Bond Street Station.  The bus travelled from Oxford Street, into Duke Street, into Wigmore Street, into Henrietta Street, Vere Street and finally back to Oxford Street, as the recorded female voice announced.  The next stop was at John Lewis department store. 

Man: Why is the bus detouring?

Me: The Cross Rail is being constructed for Bond Street Station

Man: Why are they doing that?

Me: The Cross Rail will provide quicker train travel into London for people who live outside of London.  Instead of an hour’s journey Cross Rail will cut down travelling time by half.

Man:  I use to live in London long time ago but it’s too crowded  now.

Me:  It’s very crowded with so many people coming into London from miles away for jobs.  It’s not like it use to be 25 years ago.  People come and go and never raise their heads to speak to anyone.  It’s so sad that people have become like cattle, rushing here and there.  One woman nearly was hit by a car until I pulled her by her coat.  She was still on her mobile and barely looked up and never said ‘thank you’.

Man: I guess that’s what it has come to these days.  No one wants to be bothered.

He glances towards my direction, as he sat in the seat next to the window.

Me: Are you getting off at this stop?

Man: No.  I am going to the end of the line.

Man: You sound American.

Me: Yes, I am.

Man: Where from?

Me: Gallup, New Mexico, next door to Arizona.

Man: My brother married an American woman and they live in California.  I was shocked that he could buy property there.  Not these days in London.  One has to go through so many loops to get on the property ladder.  I use to have property in London.

I missed the Wardour Street bus stop as he was talking and I did not want to stop him.  He paused before saying the next sentence.

Me: I am getting off at the next stop.  Have a good journey and it was a pleasure talking to you.

Man: See you.