Just Unexpected!

If I had written this a couple of hours ago, it would have been a rant. Lucky for me (and you) am calm now and merely reflecting.

If you have lived in London, as an expat or otherwise, for more than a minute, you know that a delay of one minute can mess up your whole day; especially at rush hour. This is a statement you have heard more times than you can remember; in one form or another…

“Ladies and gentlemen this train has been diverted and will be terminating a the next stop. The train ahead of us has an ill passenger. Please exit and use the underground trains or take a shuttle service to the station after the next to proceed with your journey.”

Well, I opted for the shuttle as it would be going directly to the station and especially since I knew that the underground would be packed and would take so long.

Ideally, this would NOT be the day that:

a) you have to get to work on time

b) you see the resumed (normal) train service on the platform that you just left as you wait for the supposed shuttle service

c) you are in no mood for a tour of the Docklands (an industrial/residential area)

d) came after the day you opted to postpone the purchase of snow boots / Wellies (gum boots in Uglish)

e) you meet your CEO at reception as you arrive 20 minutes late

f) you wish you were back home (as in dusty, sunny, noisy Uganda)

This is the point at which I advise you to go with the enemy you know rather than with the friend you have no idea about. I gladly would have traded a never ending cramped journey on the jubilee line for an icy search for Blackwall station from the highway / tunnel.

Have you ever been on a diverted train? How did it affect you?