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Published: July 15th 2008
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The British Museum
Entrance way (this place was huge, around 7 floors I think with basements) The title contains two unrelated events, and well, maybe a bit of an exaggeration on the latter part. Let me clarify:
This morning (Tuesday 7/15/08) I woke fairly early and decided to pop into town to mail the last of my postcards (by the way, family reading this - I've gotten word a couple of you already have your postcards, to the rest of you, yours should be there any time now, I mailed them all at the same time). My preferred post office is across from a McDonalds (a very nice one with funky chairs and neat wood tables inside), and it is only 1 tube stop from campus.
Really it was like any other morning when I travel by myself here. I always take my jacket if its cloudy, an umbrella if its raining, and my MP3 player to pass the time on the tube, since it often takes 45 mins to get into central london. I made it to Oakwood right at 9:30, perfect for one of the trains heading into town (they come every 3-5 mins, but there's almost always one on the quarter and middle of every hour). The train was there, so I
Egyptian Obelisk
Black stone obelisk of king Nectanebo II of Egypt, 350 BC ran down and took my seat, only to find the train lingered for longer than normal. As I'm sitting there, facing the door in my seat listening to music, a trio of old ladies come down the stairs and head for the subway, the one in the middle (my guess the oldest one) stepped into the car just as the doors slammed closed.
Before I even realized what I was doing, I was on the door. She fell to the ground of the platform outside the train and her foot remained in the door - wedged into it as it still persisted in closing. Most stations have an 'attendant' who watches the doors and will re-open then or say 'clear the doors' as they close. This one doesn't, and there aren't many people at it anyway, since it is out of town a bit. The doors are 'touch' sensitive though, a bit like elevators, but certainly not as giving as elevator doors, though often the driver is looking down the mirror and will spring them open again if someone is caught.
Usually the train departs 10-15 seconds after the doors close - I leaped out of my seat
The Rosetta Stone
Its supported by black magic (No wires or blocks...)
Click for more:
http://tinyurl.com/2sxawt and stuck my hands in between the doors and forced them open, placed my back to one door and my foot to the other so the 2 ladies with the 1 that was stuck could pull her out of the door and get her up off the floor. The doors were resistant to me, but eventually opened fully, no longer needing me to pry them open. I don't really remember moving to the door, I suppose it was just a natural reaction to the event I was witnessing. I was the only male (young) on the train, and there were a few young women who also came over to the door, but I was the only one prying it open, with the woman's foot still caught in it.
I asked if she was alright, and they said yes, but didn't want to get on the train! So after about 30 seconds the doors closed again and we were on our way. It was a very surreal experience. I can't boast that I 'saved her life' because I don't now what would have happened if I hadn't pried the doors open. Maybe the doors would have opened anyway only pinching
Rosetta Stone Bottom
The writing here is in greek (bottom portion) her foot a bit, maybe not. Hence the ? in the title. Regardless, I am glad I was able to help, even if it was minuscule or grand - and that's all that matters.
++++
Speaking of surreal events - I attended the British museum yesterday, alone, and only for 2 hours. This place is amazing. The Rosetta stone is housed there, which was #1 on my list of things to see there. Check the pictures.
Cheers and Love from Jolly London,
-Ry
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Nama
non-member comment
Thanks for the horse pic
What a guy!! My hero. I know you are having a great trip. Sure enjoy all the pictures and comments. -- Love, Nama