Life in London 2 :

14 to run :

this is my experience of traveling in London between Holborn and Goodge Street between 3 – 6 PM ::::
An account of how many people had to marathon with me within 3 hours, for me to achieve my target!!!

I set off from LSE to meet some one at Hill martin road at 3 PM : My friend from class dropped me to the tube station (1)
The station staff at the tube station guided me to the tube (2),
I got off at Caledonian Road and again the station staff assisted me to the bus stop near by (3),
The bus driver told me where to get off (4),
I got off and requested for help to cross the street (5),
Walked down and at the next bus stop again asked for assistance to reach house number 404 (6),
Then my friend there dropped me back to the bus stop (7),
Again, the bus driver told me when to get off (8),
A lady helped me to cross the street (9),
I then walked down the street, asked for help to reach the super bazaar (10),
Asked for assistance at the shop (11),
He dropped me outside then I walked to the tube, met a man who guided me to the tube (12),
The tube staff assisted me to the tube (13),
Reached Goodge Street station staff helped me out (14),

Just thought
All these people gave me 2 to 4 minutes of their precious time in the day, without which achieving my target would have been difficult : at the same time I only dream is, if the city was more friendly where I could walk around with freedom life would have been much easier???

This was the first time I encountered 14 people within 3 hours for support. Without which I guess this journey would have been completed in 9 hours or I would have ended in hospital.

Cheers

Guru Bhai

life in London 1

Some comparisons of living in London and Delhi as a visually impaired person:

1. The payments are so clean enabling me to walk with my white cane; I seldom bump into trees, poles or need to navigate ditches which I often need to do in Delhi.- Often walk on the streets or road in Delhi.
2. The curbs on the footpath are so clearly laid out and even have warning tiles at each end for me to know when the road ends or begins.- no payments in delhi so there is no question of warning tiles:
3. The tube system is so friendly that I get assistance at the stations to board and unboard the tube. - Need to seek for help in Delhi.
4. No dogs on the streets to bark at my cane.
5. Tubes and busses have announcements of the stops so makes it easier to know when to get off – need to always ask co-passengers in Delhi.
6. Staff at the super bazaars support me in picking what ever I need from the shop. – do not get often in Delhi.
7. Got reading material from the parliament house in both audio format and in Braille – can’t think of one in Delhi.
8. Systems for cooking are simple. - Use of heating system and micro wave.
9. There are different cultural and artistic groups for visually impaired people where one can participate.
10. Banks don't ask for too many questions : can easily withdraw cash.
11. Generally public are helpful.

Guru Bhai