Heathrow airport was just like Mumbai airport, Mumbai is newly built so looks bit better than Heathrow. Heathrow is the busiest airport of the world so it is huge, but you still get a feel of Mumbai airport. The other thing that hits you as soon as you land or wait in the terminal that more people around you are speaking Hindi that English. So again similar to Mumbai :) The good difference is that you are not haggled by the cab drivers as soon as you put your foot outside the airport, rather most of the time you will have to call the cab service and then they will show up.
The similarity ends and difference hits you as soon as you step out of the airport, the wind that chills your soul (against the humid Mumbai weather). I was wearing just a sweater and believe me I was almost frozen. Felt like that I landed in Shimla, underdressed. The other thing that made my jaw drop was the cars that I saw, Audi and Merc crowd roads like Maruti 800 back home. The roads are good and they look a lot like Delhi roads. The highway that we took was just about as good as the Ring Road of Delhi. The traffic halts are like Mumbai, it takes a while to cross a red light. The roads in the central London looked as cramped as Pune roads. It was raining in London when I landed and it was just like Pune, light drizzle that can hardly wet anything.
It is human tendency to judge anything new by the stereotypes and the experiences of past. I think that is how I am looking at London. The truth is that as you experience anything new it breaks some of your stereotypes and adds more things to your horizon that you can relate to. Hopefully coming days in London will be similar. I am looking forward to some good days ahead.
Tarun Chandel
London Life!
Friday, November 21, 2008
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7 comments:
oh dude... what do you say! Heathrow airport is like a 100 times more glamorous and high profile than mumbai airport. (last time I've been to both was august end.) The shops, the food, the environment, nothing beats heathrow!
Oh no--Heathrow is not at all like Mumbai!!! There is absolutely no comparison!It is a thousand times better!!
I agree with you about the cold.It just hits you as soon as you step out of the terminal.
London is so picturesque.there is so much to see and do.the English countryside is heavenly too.
Try and do Cambridge during a weekend that you are there.
Have a good time.
Cheers
Preeti
Tarun, where have you landed?
There is no comparing Mumbai, pune delhi to city of London.
BTW, Rain in UK is its unique phenomenon. It is said that in that island, when it is not foggy, it rains, when it is not raining, it snows.
London is similar to Mumbai in many ways.....obviously there is no comparison to the level of sophistication in London....the well laid out tube and bus network......a melting pot of people from various backgrounds...the wide variety of cuisines....and the night life....do have subtle glimpses of Mumbai.....Looking forward to more posts on your experiences in London.!
-Bhargavi
I am talking about my first impression and all of you are giving me your view of London after your complete experience.
When I walked out of flight to the terminal and to the baggage counter I did not find Heathrow much different from Mumbai or when the cab was going to my hotel road was just like Delhi, the first rain was like Pune. I know it's like that story of elephant and blind men :) but I am getting hang of London now. From now on posts will not be about comparisons.
Tarun Chandel
But to be honest, I've met more Greeks, Indians and the rest than I've met Brits. may be that's the uniqueness of London. As for the similarity, for the cold try North Sikkim, especially the past few days have been really chilly...
you have chosen a wonderful time to land here :)
as for Central London, try a bus ride on a double decker and observe how they make the turns. Makes me wonder how it fits into those streets... :)
@Bhargavi Mumbai use to be a melting pot. Now it is an insensitive, intolerant, overgrown slum on verge of turning into a village. London is a beauty. I know it hurts our Indian pride but thats the truth.
@Tarun, go to museums, restaurant, night clubs, theaters in London. They are one of best in world.
I suggest you visit pristine theaters in birthplace of Shakespeare , stratford-upon-Avon and witness a drama at least . It is exquisite.
Also drive to lake district up north and Scotland (must). Also visit Leicester, a truly Indian town in land of queen. If you go to Scotland, take a cheap weekend flight from London to Glasgow and hire a car from there and drive for 2 days over weekend around scotland upto St. williams around lake lachmond. If you have time and inclination, do a camping trip to Ireland.But I guess you are in wrong season there.
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