Ram was off to Mountainview Cali our second week in London. With all the nuances of getting settled the week before, we didn't have much time to explore our area before he left. So I promised myself that I would be adventurous and walk to a different part of Islington at least 3 times that week.
Funny how this time around I'm spending hours locating nearby parks and child friendly places versus pubs and restaurants. It's a welcome change though. We'll make it out to the pubs eventually.
As you all know, I'm directionally challenged. Living in a city where public transportation is the best way to get around, spotlights my handicap. The fact that Riya is totally dependent on me to get her to and fro, gave me anxiety. So it was settled: only walkable distances for now.
Luckily, Google Maps (my new best friend), showed me that there were at least 3 parks within a 15 minute walk from where we live. (It takes just as long to get us both bundled up, throw the stroller down a million flight of stairs with Riya wedged on my hip and out the door). So I figured why not.
I'm sure Riya couldn't tell the difference between any of the 3 parks we visited that week, but I was quite pleased that we found them:) Baby girl is becoming more and more adventurous and wants to go up and down the slide and all! She is growing up so fast. I have a feeling she is going to start running soon....nooooooo!
Later that week, with my 100% success rate boosting my ego, I decided to attempt the bus. There is a Gymboree class that is a 20 min bus ride away followed by a 10 min walk. I decided to give myself an hour, just in case. Luckily Riya slept till 7:40am (!!!) that morning, so it was really easy to push her morning nap. By 9:40am we were on the sidewalk. The bus stop I needed to walk to was 5 minutes away. As I followed Google Maps, I walked towards the bus stop indicated. However, there were 2 bus stops across the street from each other, and though it looked like I was waiting at the right bus stop, as I let 3 buses pass, I realized I wasn't in the right place. At least I didn't get on the wrong bus! Crisis averted. I walked across the street and noticed it was already 10am at this point. Anxiety began to creep up on me as the bus arrived a few minutes later.
Of course the bus didn't pull up to the curb properly and it was a pain in the ass to get the stroller on and swipe my card, but I did it. Luckily for us, the bus was pretty empty, so I was able to make my way to the wheel chair/buggy area and lock her stroller in place. Google Maps said it would take about 15 minutes to get to my stop. My good friend Debbie, already warned me not to count the number of stops the bus is supposed to take, because if no one is at the stop, they won't stop. So I just stood there watching over Riya while watching the electronic sign like a hawk and eyeing the "STOP" button in case I needed to push it. About 10 minutes in, the name of the next stop popped up and I erroneously thought it was ours. The minute I got off, I knew I was in the wrong place. I was so mad at myself for not pulling out my phone to check. Google Maps was tracking my journey and I should have checked it before getting off. For a minute I attempted to walk the remaining part of our journey but after taking 2 steep turns took me to a juncture with way too many road splits, I decided to go back and wait for the next bus.
After that, I'm happy to report it was smooth sailing! Riya was a perfect angel while I was a stress ball and she was rewarded for her patience. She had a blast at Gymboree. She wasn't interested in the class at all, but she loved playing with all the equipment! I think we may have a gymnast in the family!
Now that I have one bus ride under my belt, I have a little more confidence to venture out again. Sadly, Riya caught her first cough and cold of the year and we have been stuck indoors all week. Plus there is a bus strike today (third this year already!), so doesn't look like we'll make it to our class.
Funny how this time around I'm spending hours locating nearby parks and child friendly places versus pubs and restaurants. It's a welcome change though. We'll make it out to the pubs eventually.
As you all know, I'm directionally challenged. Living in a city where public transportation is the best way to get around, spotlights my handicap. The fact that Riya is totally dependent on me to get her to and fro, gave me anxiety. So it was settled: only walkable distances for now.
Luckily, Google Maps (my new best friend), showed me that there were at least 3 parks within a 15 minute walk from where we live. (It takes just as long to get us both bundled up, throw the stroller down a million flight of stairs with Riya wedged on my hip and out the door). So I figured why not.
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| These stairs are just outside my front door. Not stroller friendly at ALL. |
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| Our building from the outside. More stairs, but these are manageable. |
Later that week, with my 100% success rate boosting my ego, I decided to attempt the bus. There is a Gymboree class that is a 20 min bus ride away followed by a 10 min walk. I decided to give myself an hour, just in case. Luckily Riya slept till 7:40am (!!!) that morning, so it was really easy to push her morning nap. By 9:40am we were on the sidewalk. The bus stop I needed to walk to was 5 minutes away. As I followed Google Maps, I walked towards the bus stop indicated. However, there were 2 bus stops across the street from each other, and though it looked like I was waiting at the right bus stop, as I let 3 buses pass, I realized I wasn't in the right place. At least I didn't get on the wrong bus! Crisis averted. I walked across the street and noticed it was already 10am at this point. Anxiety began to creep up on me as the bus arrived a few minutes later.
Of course the bus didn't pull up to the curb properly and it was a pain in the ass to get the stroller on and swipe my card, but I did it. Luckily for us, the bus was pretty empty, so I was able to make my way to the wheel chair/buggy area and lock her stroller in place. Google Maps said it would take about 15 minutes to get to my stop. My good friend Debbie, already warned me not to count the number of stops the bus is supposed to take, because if no one is at the stop, they won't stop. So I just stood there watching over Riya while watching the electronic sign like a hawk and eyeing the "STOP" button in case I needed to push it. About 10 minutes in, the name of the next stop popped up and I erroneously thought it was ours. The minute I got off, I knew I was in the wrong place. I was so mad at myself for not pulling out my phone to check. Google Maps was tracking my journey and I should have checked it before getting off. For a minute I attempted to walk the remaining part of our journey but after taking 2 steep turns took me to a juncture with way too many road splits, I decided to go back and wait for the next bus.
After that, I'm happy to report it was smooth sailing! Riya was a perfect angel while I was a stress ball and she was rewarded for her patience. She had a blast at Gymboree. She wasn't interested in the class at all, but she loved playing with all the equipment! I think we may have a gymnast in the family!
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| Riya's fav toy |
Oh wow, I bet London is not the most 'buggy-friendly' place to be. I would have been majorly intimidated to take the bus. You sure she won't tolerate an ergo carrier??? Glad she had fun at Gymboree. Yay for indoor play spaces!
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