Londoners & Terrorists

This AM, there's news that there have been some "incidents" in London's transit system. So far, and hopefully, it's just smoke & a few closed tube lines. But it got me to thinking of when I was in London a few years ago and was so proud of myself for mastering the Tube lines, figuring out where I was going & how to do it really fast, especially considering I never lived in a city in the states with a similar system. The Tube was/is so efficient, and such a great way to get around a city like London. Two weeks ago, when the terror incidents occurred, I was in the midst of the craziest part of this mommy thing. We would probably have not even known about it if we hadn't have had to go to the hospital to get the babies' birth certificate data filled out (an omission from our leaving the hospital... they didn't tell me I still had to do that!!) We were existing in a vacuum of no TV or even radio for a while there. It was pretty weird to know that there was this huge incident and I really didn't know much about it because I was busy elsewhere.

But I think that the terrorist types are barking up the wrong tree with this kind of thing in London. The English, and most folks who live in Great Britain, are not going to tip over and freak out, cowering in the dark, because you wave a bit of TNT their way. They will mourn the losses, and then get out there and kick your asses. A lot of folks discussed how the British acted during the WW2 Blitz-- just keep going. Stoic. In fact, for the most part, you just strengthen their resolve and make them want to kick your asses even more. Other countries might give in, panic, react the way you want them to react. But England (and I like to think the U.S. falls in here too) will just keep going on, and I'm sure it's inconvenient as hell, and throws a wrench into so many commuters' day to have four Tube lines closed, but they're going to do just fine.

Finally, to add a lighter note to this, Neil Gaiman's book Neverwhere, which I recommend highly if you like "urban fantasy," has this bit about "Minding the Gap" that had I read that book before my adventures in London, would have had Londoners thinking I was a nut-job, cause every time I heard the "Mind the Gap" recording, I would have been giggling uncontrollably. It makes me laugh right now, just thinking about it. You've got to read that book if you're going to London, and/or live there and/or have ever been there. It'll kill ya. :)