Buses
Every few years or so, I decide it's time I brushed up my German again, and I register for a course at the Goethe Institut in Kensington (opposite Imperial College). The last I did so was in 2006, so I decided it was about time I did another one. So a couple of weeks ago I signed up for the course "Aktuelles aus Deutschland" which is a German conversation class themed around current affairs. And tonight was the first class. The standard of participants was quite high, people were reasonably fluent with good pronunciation.
To get to the Goethe Institut from where I work is also straightforward - I can get a bus from round the corner to the Royal Albert Hall and then it's a short walk. And the bus is one of only two routes in Central London that still uses the old Routemasters. I'm told that the reason they were got rid of was that they were not powerful enough, they did not carry enoough passengers, the maintenance is way too expensive, and the open back is dangerous.
But they are soooo much nicer to ride in! The ride itself is smooth. The modern double deckers may be more powerful, but they jerk and throw the passengers around. I've seen more near accidents inside a modern bus than in (or on the back of) and old Routemaster.
I really enjoyed my smooth, gentle ride out to the Albert Hall. There'll be many more!
To get to the Goethe Institut from where I work is also straightforward - I can get a bus from round the corner to the Royal Albert Hall and then it's a short walk. And the bus is one of only two routes in Central London that still uses the old Routemasters. I'm told that the reason they were got rid of was that they were not powerful enough, they did not carry enoough passengers, the maintenance is way too expensive, and the open back is dangerous.
But they are soooo much nicer to ride in! The ride itself is smooth. The modern double deckers may be more powerful, but they jerk and throw the passengers around. I've seen more near accidents inside a modern bus than in (or on the back of) and old Routemaster.
I really enjoyed my smooth, gentle ride out to the Albert Hall. There'll be many more!