Always ask for a discount

Hamleys is a big toy store, it may be the biggest toy store in the world, at least that's what people in London told me. I needed a gift for my nephew, something not available at home. I hoped I could find something interesting and different for him here.
I was right, I found a card game called Top Trumps. A simple game of choosing the best characteristic from a list and challenging your opponent, the highest score wins.

The cards were not too expensive, about 6£ a set, one set would be good, I did get him other stuff too.

As is my usual custom, I asked the cashier for a discount, Se pleasantly refused me. I tried again, What about a tourist discount? Again the answer was a polite "no" Not one to give up easily, I asked about a Canadian discount, again "no" OK, my last try, I asked for a cute discount, I am cute.

This time I won, she told me that she would give me a 10% managers discount, at least that's what she told me it was. I laughed and thanked her. In return I gave her one of my Canadian flag pins. That got me a smile, as usual. She thanked me this time.

I managed to save a whole 60p on the deal, but it was worth it just for the fun of the game. Of course, I always ask for a discount.

Find out more about me day in London here: Sunday afternoon in London

They twisted my arm...ow!

OK, not really.

As you may remember/know, I had out small Canada flag pins. Some times as a thank you or just because.

While In the British Museum - see Sept 16, 2005 - trying to not step on any little people (numerous school groups) I came across a group of boys in the Egypt collection. One asked if I was going to take their pictrure, I really didn't know what to say, its not often you get asked to take a stranger's picture, especially a child's in London. I said "no" because that seemed to be the right answer. I did ask why I would, the same boy replied that a couple of other people, another American, and someone else, had already taken their picture. I protested saying that I wasn't an American. I received a puzzled look , I turned around to show them the Canadian flag on my backpack. Canada the said together, I smiled and offered each of them a flag pin.

We talked for a couple of minutes, and with the help of their chaperone they were urged to get back to work. Before I could go, again I was asked to take their picture, this time I couldn't resist.

Can I get there from here?

HA! In the Tube stations there were signs telling you where top exit for attractions, this is good, I say to myself, I don’t even have to ask to be oriented! I was wrong, as soon as you have left the safety of the tube station you’re lost again, no direction sign. In most cases there was a direction sign pointing out the right direction…if I could have only found those sign posts. One station had more than 10 exits. People were sometimes confusing too. The would be quite helpful, telling me how to get somewhere, but neglecting to give me one important detail, like after you turn right, take the stairs up one level.

I also had other tourists asking me for directions…Could it be the Big Canadian flag on my backpack. Do Canadians have a better sense of direction than anyone else?

Streets

Don’t ask me about the streets, I spent so much time being “lost” it wasn’t funny. I would be walking down a street and look up to make sure I was still on the road I thought I was on, not only could I not find a street sign, but the name changed. It seems that every bend in the road means it gets a new name…it doesn’t surprise me what natives carry around a street guide. There is NO grid system in London, Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

Most people were friendly enough when I would ask for directions, if they could figure out where they were themselves.

The Tube

I have been using the Tube almost since I arrived in London. Its simple, figure out where you are, then where you want to go; not so simple. The Tube is HUGE, lots of lines and lots of stops. Add to that the DLR and the train, you have a mess. In some cases there are multiple routes to the same place; some with no changes, others with two or three changes; sometimes you want the shortest route, other times you just want to sit for the longest period of time. It is comforting to know that even native Londoners have the same problem; I would usually find a couple of other people staring blankly at the tube system map trying to figure out where to go. Another thing, the Tube is HOT! One friend I met carries an extra shirt because he always sweats so bad on then tube he NEEDS to change when he gets to work.

Switching between lines is always a gamble because sometimes the distance between lines through the rabbit warren of tunnels could be as long as the walk to where you were trying to go.

I'm Home

Sigh…it was nice to be away from home and work, no worries and no (work) stress for a while. I’m glad to be back home though, it was time to go and get my life back together.

I am still in a bit of a fog – jet lag will do that to a person.

As you may have noticed there are a few days missing for my daily updates, have no fear, as soon as I can think again I will add my reports from St Paul’s Cathedral, The Museum of London and guilford where i explored a castle and St Catherines chapel

I’m off work again for the Jewish new year, so that will help my brain and I look forward to being back at work.

S.