12/5/2018: I exited the Bakerloo Line, i.e., "The Tube's" platform . . . I'm so pleased discovering there are escalators taking you to the street level, i.e., awesome . . .
I see a Starbucks at the top of escalators upon arrival to the main street level; surprisingly discovering a hub-bub of frantic commuters scurrying here, zipping there-I'm feeling like I'm an offensive football linebacker trying to get to Starbucks: I buy my traditional peppermint-laced, coffee fix-awesome x 2=Mission completed!
HOWEVER . . . dot, dot, dot-I come to a screeching, grinding holt holding my Starbuck's coffee in hand with my mouth gaping in one of the uttermost, shocking experiences globetrotting thus far AND this is right up there with Singapore's Mustafa Shopping Center's toilet in the floor, gross-me-out, kind of shock:
You know I would have given FOUR STARS for Waterloo Station BUT, the Ladies' loo surely was an egregious turn-off discovering I must shell out, dole out EXACT CHANGE while I'm prancing about ready having an "almost accident," btw~TMI-if, you get my drift! Not having exact change and I, being so blessed-a TFL Maintenance Man~my Angel (with my hands melded together) opened the gate for me so, I may scurry to off to one of the loos . . . AHHHHHHhhh~I almost didn't make it!
Worse-I only had PAPER UK CURRENCY in my possession: I wonder how many weary globetrotters jumped the loos' gate in order, using the loos? Absolutely obtusely inhumane, i.e., an incredulous discovery! I was so miffed, I sent the photos and that one video I took of the loos to fellow actress, @Alyssa_Milano so, she can see the folly I experienced! Waaaaah!
Alright-Enough ragging about the loos. Anyway, I decided I wanted exploring what's shops have opened conducting their daily, retail business at Waterloo Station-walkabout bumbling begins!
As I mentioned previously, Starbucks, Costa-a fellow Yelper took a photo of the Eiffel Tower holding a Costa coffee cup (I remember photos), Boots~a quasi-pharmacy similar to Walgreens/Rite-Aid/CVS for my fellow Americans' FYI, there are quite a few established restaurants, and low and behold~my favorite retail shop, i.e., LUSH-yes, yes, YES!!!!!
Looking up at the Waterloo Station's billboard . . . WHY CAN'T ELEPHANT & CASTLE HAVE A SMALL DIRECTIONAL SIGNAGE DISPLAY LIKE WATERLOO STATION, EH, TFL? I noticed a sign direction for the London Eye.
Hmmmm~Which way do I go? I see off in the distance, Exit 6 is closed due to construction so, I exit out of Exit 5; however, I read Exit 3 is "step-free" which is cool. I walk down Exit 5's long flight of steps leading out to the hustle and bustle of taxi cabs, a plethora of busses, honking horns, flashing traffic lights-a total visual and auditory overload, indeed!
Precariously and carefully crossing the streets was definitely nerve-racking being sordidly mindful UK drivers drive on the RIGHT side of the road via my experiences allowing, trusting Fixx's lead guitarist, Jamie West-Oram driving my brother, Albert's Ford Fiesta through Garland, Texas decades ago . . . Almost got into a car accident giving me heart failure and extreme duress-Thanks, Jamie . . .
Anyway, I successfully and safely leave the hustle and bustle behind me . . . Out of the corner of my left eye, I catch a glimpse of the London Eye! "GARGANTUAN!," I screamed at the top of my lungs! Waterloo Station: I docked one star for the egregious loos and subtract one star for all the steps exiting/entering Waterloo Station plus, noting the sketchy, exterior, shopping center returning to Waterloo Station at night! Seriously, where are the Bobbies patrolling this area during night time, eh? read more