Everything was going just fine and dandy and we got to the airport about 2 hours before our scheduled flight (7:50p.m. was when we were supposed to fly out). As soon as we got to the airport our flight was already pushed back by 30 minutes. It was gradually pushed back incrementally by about 15 minutes every once in a while until it finally settled on 9:30 p.m. Georgia called her boyfriend who was in London and he said that there was a bunch of snow on the ground in London and that people were building snowmen. We didn't really believe him - London is a lot like Nashville when it comes to snow, if it snows it's a dusting and it goes away within a couple hours, and the city shuts down. We finally board the plane and take off around 10:00, it's only a 50 minute flight so we landed around 11. The trains stop running a little after 11 p.m. on Sundays, so we were lucky to at least make it onto our first train and get closer to our final destination. Georgia's boyfriend wasn't lying - there was snow EVERYWHERE and lots of it! It was a winter wonderland and absolutely beautiful. The train was running pretty slow (it is overground for most of the journey) and sparks were flying from the rails. Sparks regularly come off of the rails, but we were in the last train compartment (which for some reason makes a difference?) and I guess mixed with the snow/ice it made for a spectacular strobe light show! I felt like I was in 7th grade all over again. It was actually pretty scary and people were getting worried that the train was going to either a.) set on fire, b.) we were all going to get electrocuted, or c.) both of the above. The locals said that it is not normal for the sparks to be that bad. At one tube stop some girls were standing too close to the train as it was departing and ran off SCREAMING because they almost got zapped. The train continues moving along slowly and then comes to a complete standstill (in the middle of nowhere or snowhere ha!). The train conductor man came on the speaker and informed us that we would be sitting there for a "long while" because a train was stuck ahead of ours and they had to turn off the current to the tracks. Fabulous. We were only stopped for about an hour, then headed on our way.
So we've finally arrived at our first tube stop, but the next line we needed to catch was already closed for the night. We try to call some taxi companies, try to wave a few taxis from the road, and tried to catch a bus - but at this point there are about 6 inches of snow on the ground and apparently London has NO SNOW PLOWS. The buses were not running due to the weather, as well as the taxis (I guess they just felt like driving around to piss us off - mission accomplished). We at least had some shelter in the tube station, but that didn't last long because they had to close their doors. Now we are stranded. We are in a "dodgy" part of town as the Brits would say. There is a respectable looking gentleman who is "pissed drunk" as the Brits would also say. He falls into the street, lays down, and almost gets hit by a car. Twice. Some man got him out of the way, twice, and he ended up leaning against a wall to relieve himself. The train workers decide to have a snowball fight - because it's 1:30 in the morning and they are mid-40's and have nothing better to do? I have an idea, it's called sleep! We couldn't stay out there any longer so decided to get a hotel room - definitely didn't have that factored into my budget for the week! We got a room at the Amsterdam Hotel (which is ironically where Melissa and her parents stayed while they were in London before our internship started). The hotel rooms are hilarious - they are decorated in tacky Florida condo decor at it's finest. We get some rest, and actually get to see some of the Suberbowl (therefore, it was all worth it, oh wait, the Titans screwed up, nevermind).
We wake up the next morning, all of us were supposed to be at work at 8a.m. but that obviously didn't work out for us. We turn the news on - the entire bus system was shut down, most of the trains aren't running, and some parts of the city have 10 inches of snow. Melissa and I trudged to the tube stop to find out if our train line was one that was running, after getting some mixed answers we are officially informed that our line is running - Woo Hoo! We go back to get the other girls and pack up and head out. The lovely manager of the hotel advised us to be careful on the steps while leaving because they were slippery - but don't worry because she put salt on them (table salt, out of a salt shaker - seriously). We get on the train and only have about 6 stops until ours. Everything is going smoothly and we are stopping at each station as planned, and as we approach our stop he slows down, slows down some more, almost stops, then picks up some speed, and continues on his merry way. He comes on the speaker, "oh yea, I forgot to tell you that the East Putney tube station is closed, as is the next one". Thanks - that information would have been useful, ooh at about the stop before! We have to ride the tube a few more stops to the Wimbledon stop and switch back over and head back the direction we came from. We got off at the Putney Bridge exit (and yes had to walk across the bridge, suitcases and all, in lots and lots of snow). It takes us about an hour and a half to walk to the hospital (which would have only taken 15 minutes if our tube station was open). So we got back around noon - pretty much no one had made it into the hospital anyways. They sent us home and told us to sleep. Sweet! 4 Day Week!
The snow is perfect and we've seen some pretty amazing snowmen. If London is ever going to be pretty in the wintertime it's right now with all the snow! So I'm trying to look on the bright side of all of this : ) It's all part of the adventure I guess (I keep telling myself that anyways).
It's supposed to snow on Thursday and Friday again this week, and we have a flight booked out on Friday evening to head to Barcelona. Keep your fingers crossed for us!
Jenna
