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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To feel slightly traumatised by trying to navigate around London?

86 replies

theeverydaydancer · 20/12/2013 16:46

OK. I'm a 32 year old, reasonably intellegent mother of one. I went on a nice day trip on my own yesterday to London to see something at the Barbican, a venue I had never been to before. I am from the provinces, could probably be described as a bit bumpkinesque, particularly after trying to navigate my way round the public transport system etc. I got wobbly legs going down the big escalators to the tube (they are so high I had to really psyche myself up to get on it!), and had to ask about 10,000 people directions just to get there and back to Victoria Station, couldn't really read any of the maps etc. I felt like a lost 8 year old. Is this reasonable at my age to be so hopeless? Or is London notoriously difficult to get around?

OP posts:
MiniMonty · 21/12/2013 00:57

I'm a born and bred Londoner and I will forgive anyone who gets lost (or just completely freaked out) in the Barbican.

IUt can change you...

MadameDefarge · 21/12/2013 00:58

I think what is most confuzzling for many people is that when they exit the tube station, they can't actually imagine they have to walk down the scary dual carriaway tunnel...

EBearhug · 21/12/2013 01:10

I'm another one who's never got to grips with the Barbican. Although it's not as disorientating as one of our London datacentres, where even after 10 years, I can still get lost in there.

I think I've got to grips with the different levels round the South Bank these days, though.

(I'm going to get lost next time I'm there again, aren't I?)

quirrelquarrel · 21/12/2013 01:20

I just spent a short week in Paris/// now that is a city with a truly beautiful transport system. Sometimes I get out my little Paris guide and trace the metro routes I know and look at the bus routes too Blush

It must be so satisfying to be the person who gets to design the maps that go everywhere. And to sketch out a full map of the metro. Oh, lovely.

Off to Germany soon and Berlin's system looks downright scary. Please tell me it's not?

SeaSickSal · 21/12/2013 01:22

Berlin's metro system is very German and efficient and easy to navigate. It's just very German basically.

Robfordscrack · 21/12/2013 04:10

Completely disagree with posters who said Londoners are mean - they are always willing to give directions and I found them always offering to help me with my pushchair.

flatmum · 21/12/2013 04:23

Barbican ok, but I'm sorry, you need to get a grip re the escalators.

quirrelquarrel · 21/12/2013 04:50

Yeah, I've had quite a few lovely people ask me if I want help with my luggage on the tube (steps) and yesterday someone close to the door moved to another seat so a lady with luggage could sit there which was super nice.
But then you get the same in Paris. I saw loads of people helping with pushchairs etc. Any major city, any smaller city. Don't think it's enough of a thing to be a London mentality really.

crunchybargalore · 21/12/2013 04:59

the barbican does confuse a lot of people.

Especially those bloody walkways - you are heading to the concert hall - no you are not - you are heading to some bloody apartment - now you are heading to the concert hall? no you are not you are on some walk way which goes straight for a bit, and on and on and on.

crunchybargalore · 21/12/2013 05:00

here you go follow those yellow lines

SuiGeneris · 21/12/2013 05:37

Sorry OP, it is you. My first time in London I was 14 and spoke English at good GCSE standard but no more. I was fine, as were other kids in my language school who were allowed into London for the day.

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