Snooze you lose slow travel

 Today we leave London and go to Wales.

The hardest part of this trip will be the traveling. Today we left the air bnb 3 hours early with idea of stopping at McDonalds (I know yuck) to get at least coffee. 

From there we just went to Paddington station. So we got there at maybe 10:45am. Our train is at 12:17. We had no idea how this was going to work so went way early. 

Our train wasn’t even on the board when we got there. Sat outside station for a while. Went back in and it was on the board, no platform. So how does this work?

M went up to info desk. They told him 15 minutes before leaving time, platform number will appear. Then you have 15 minutes get yourself on train and in a seat. 

So next it says the train is delayed. Uh oh. Oh did I say everybody waiting  or sitting in front the big electronic sign. Most people have to stand. It’s very bizarre that you have to stand there waiting the platform letter to appear.

So within 5 minutes the letter appears. All these people start moving toward where the platform is. It’s like a rush to get to the train.

When I ordered the tickets, you could choose a seat so I did. I think that was baloney. Everyone sat where they wanted. Did they rush to get window seats? Or a four seat table place? We’re they afraid they wouldn’t make the train?

I think it’s that people have been trained you better get your butt in the seat, no dawdling. This train has a schedule to keep. Snooze you lose.

You won’t forget Camden Town

 Camden town,, oh Camden town. I still see your garbage blowin’. Glen Campbell anyone?

So natch I looked up funky hippy neighborhoods to go to and near the top of list was Camden town. So off we go. We come up from the station and it’s like we are in a carnival. 

A storefront with  a gigantic dragon on the front of an all you can eat restaurant. A gothic tattoo shop named Dark Angel that has a woman depicting the crucifixion wrapped in black straps with a crown of thorns. A candy shop that has a ferris wheel on the front that is revolving. That’s probably my favorite.

We have entered the land of oz. It is  very crowded. It’s a big tourist attraction. People have to be herded like cattle out of the tube station. Hard to believe because it’s pretty edgy. I can imagine the Sex Pistols playing music here.

It’s one weird store front after another. There’s a guy with his hair shaped into very tall horns playing the guitar and trying his best to look threatening.

There were a group of young people hanging out on a small that have edgy punk look down pat. They were hanging off a light pole and dancing in the street. It’s like this is a big movie set.

One of the big attractions here is Camden Yards. It’s a maze of shops selling jewelry, clothes, trinkets. On the ground level outside is a good area with street food from around the world.

It’s also on a canal. It’s very gritty and dirty. It gives New York a run for its money.

It was great! A lot of fun. Like nothing I have ever seen.