2008 Woodie Awards
Life as it exists in the "Underground"
Elizabeth Knapp
Issue date: 2/6/08 Section: Opinion
Taking the London Underground at rush hour is always a treat. As the station floods with hurried passengers, I am rarely ever in a rush, as I observe the city's most vibrant and exciting industry.
The Underground, or as its known by most natives, "The Tube", is the oldest and longest underground railway in the world, serving billions of passengers each year. These passengers, along with many other various tube station dwellers, bring life to one of London's largest subcultures. My favorite part of travelling around the city is being able to be a part of it.
Aside from being extremely practical and convenient, the underground system is a venue for many artistic and creative pursuits. The cylindrical shape of the underground tunnels provides excellent acoustics to a number of musicians, whether they are trying to make an extra pound, or simply performing for personal enjoyment. The type of musicians found underground is extensive, from concert violinists, to bluesy saxophone players. I always find the choice of songs to be quite interesting, having heard Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York" on the trumpet immediately followed by Heart's "Barracuda".
The underground also seems to be a central location for various religious endeavors. During one of my first tube experiences, a hunched old man with a slightly deranged, toothless smile hobbled from car to car with a clunky wooden cross in hand, doling out personal blessings to each and every passenger. While a few people disapprovingly shook their heads at this divine stranger or simply ignored him, I found I could not. I was still unsure of the safety of this high-speed vehicle. Immediately going into panic-mode, I drew the seemingly obvious conclusion that the old man had received a Godly premonition of the train crashing, and took on the duty of performing several hundred abbreviated Last Rites ceremonies. Thankfully this was not the case. Later in the week, a large man stood in front of a tube station clutching a holy text of sorts, ensuring all passengers that hell is in fact real and warning sinners to beware. As it seems to be popular place to make people aware of their sins, I can't help but question the reputation of the average underground passenger.
The Underground, or as its known by most natives, "The Tube", is the oldest and longest underground railway in the world, serving billions of passengers each year. These passengers, along with many other various tube station dwellers, bring life to one of London's largest subcultures. My favorite part of travelling around the city is being able to be a part of it.
Aside from being extremely practical and convenient, the underground system is a venue for many artistic and creative pursuits. The cylindrical shape of the underground tunnels provides excellent acoustics to a number of musicians, whether they are trying to make an extra pound, or simply performing for personal enjoyment. The type of musicians found underground is extensive, from concert violinists, to bluesy saxophone players. I always find the choice of songs to be quite interesting, having heard Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York" on the trumpet immediately followed by Heart's "Barracuda".
The underground also seems to be a central location for various religious endeavors. During one of my first tube experiences, a hunched old man with a slightly deranged, toothless smile hobbled from car to car with a clunky wooden cross in hand, doling out personal blessings to each and every passenger. While a few people disapprovingly shook their heads at this divine stranger or simply ignored him, I found I could not. I was still unsure of the safety of this high-speed vehicle. Immediately going into panic-mode, I drew the seemingly obvious conclusion that the old man had received a Godly premonition of the train crashing, and took on the duty of performing several hundred abbreviated Last Rites ceremonies. Thankfully this was not the case. Later in the week, a large man stood in front of a tube station clutching a holy text of sorts, ensuring all passengers that hell is in fact real and warning sinners to beware. As it seems to be popular place to make people aware of their sins, I can't help but question the reputation of the average underground passenger.
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