Heathrow Express & Good Samaritans

The three of us hummed and hawed for a while about the preferred way of getting to Scala House….more for the thrill of it, and seeing the baggage we had decided to take the non stop Heathrow Express to Paddington. There was a catch – on Sundays there is a 50% discount, for a group of 4 passengers, we were just three. Accosted a Tamil couple with a child near the counter, and they were more than happy to save the pennies too. They had huge luggage – enroute the US – and we helped them with it too. Upto the lift, down the lift, through a tunnel, through turnstiles – and made it onboard the first train leaving, after some drama ( including the baby on the pram out, the Mum in the train with the doors closed) …but were at our best…and helping out well.

The journey was smooth – Mukand commenting on all railway matters, speed, quality of railway lines and before we knew we were at Paddington. But not a patch on Hong Kong’s Aiport Express. Nice, quaint station. Helped the Tam family get off, baby and six bags off. We’d enjoy Paddington more, if not for the 25 Kg carton that Mukand had ( needless to say, without wheels!). Tried extricating a trolley- couldn’t crack it. Wisdom dawned, and the Cloak room was used to dump the carton. Taxi or Tube from here? Decided on the latter – and after some more adventures, hopped on . At 4 Quid a ticket, not really cheap. Got off Euston Square, and emerged like a rat from the burrows into the Central London! Not entirely a coincidence that this was a station without escalators. The good Samaritans helped a struggling chinky lady lug up her suitcase on the steps, in addition to our own. And then started the long march.

Directions had to be sought – and the group set the ground rules. If we have to seek directions, must do it from the pleasant, stylish ladies only – and on a Sunday evening, there were a number of them around ( headed to Theatres in the are?? ). Huffed and puffed our way down Tottenham Court Road, till atlast we reached Scala House! Bliss!

Most of the girls were already in, and had set up a full fledged kitchen too in one of the flats. Goutam was my flat mate – and the neighbouring flat would go to two Pakistanis: one, a CSP officer, currently Secy to Governor of Sind, and the other an SP. They haven’y yet come, so yet to meet them.
Scala House looked neat, very functional and well appointed. Having seen a change of owners, it is in a little bit of transition. But the kitchen is cool – huge oven, dishwasher, fridge etc. Little things like Hangers missing ( and no strainers for tea – they call England a TEA drinking land ).

There is a Tesco a minute away, so khana-peena should not be a problem. It opens at SIX in the morning, would you believe that? Unpacked – a suitcase does pack in a lot! Just like being back to a hostel room. Dinner was done by the ladies – and again daal – bhaat !!! I start my cooking tomorrow, come hail or snow. Have a view of the London eye and a bit of the London skyline – including planes landing.
Had a walk around town- did not get much bearings but did figure Covent garden, China Town, Leicester Aquare, Oxford street are all a stones throw away. Remembered Leicester Square which I had visited with Richa in 1998 – and suddenly, one hears a booming voice say “Shraman, Shraman Jha- saala, yahaan aya aur bola bhi nahin… “…turned around to see none other than Dr Anupam Ray, an old diplomat friend from Dhaka! It is a small world. The India House is apparently next door to LSE so should be seeing him a fair bit and catching up.


LSE…..Jhalak Dikhla Ja….

The morning dawned. Rainy. Blustery. And very cold!! Regretted not getting a jacket/ windcheater. Goutam has been kind enough to lend me one. But nipped down to Tesco to get an umbrella first. And off to school we went – Tushar, the conservation architect, leading the pack with his directions

Brisk walk, navigating through the rain as we walked – but made it to LSE just in time. No campus as such, but a collection of buildings. A few are old, a few brand new. But they sit in well together. Howard Machin, our course director, met us at the airport and we were shepherded up some winding corridors and stairs to a wood panelled class room, with big windowns ( 6th floor) and a little balcony around it. The admin briefing followed with Joy & Ranil in attendance as well – and a look at the programme for the week. The weather we were told, would clear up by 11 – and it miraculously did! Blue skies, bright sun, brisk breeze. Could have been Darjeeling.
Lots of plans on the week. Seminars start soon. Couses to be chosen. Allan Greenspan’s lecture coming up. A big file of readings. Figuring out the huge library. Opening Bank accounts. Societies to join. A formal meeting with the LSE director ( Big Man)….and a part of the induction on Friday is a walk to Tate Modern and drinks on London Eye ( hope it is paid for by the LSE!). The Michaelmas term starts Oct 4 – so we have a little quieter time before the hoards descend. 8000 students overall – you need scale to be viable. Research needs money. Undergrad overseas students pay a lot.

We are on Staff status at the library – can borrow upto 40 books or journals at a time. Have not read so many in my whole life!

Lunch posed a dilemma – we are still getting used to the prices. Paying 60p ( student rate) for a cup of tea - or for Mulligatany soup ( sambhar masquerading as soup)….still seems criminal. Went for the toasted sandwich. Need hot food. Used the afternoon to fix up local UK mobile from a Paki shop – and realised everything should be bargained for, a minor lesson the hard way.
LSE is beautifully located. A minute from the Royal Courts of Justice, Traffalgar etc. Autumn leaves falling off. Nice.

The walk back was with the office crowd. Good that we do not need to take the Underground – it would be stifling. Lovely sunshine. Free papers being doled out. Will carry my camera now. Not to be missed photo ops.

Tesco visited. Well stocked up. A good hot dinner. Ready for Tuesday. And a hearty Breakfast.