Close encounters on London Underground

Its official name is the London Underground, but everyone calls it the tube because that's what it looks like. But, actually, when you see one of the trains emerge out of a tunnel, I'd say, a comparison to toothpaste would be more apt!

- Karan Thapar

Its official name is the London Underground, but everyone calls it the tube because that's what it looks like. But, actually, when you see one of the trains emerge out of a tunnel, I'd say, a comparison to toothpaste would be more apt! Anyway, that's what I thought when I saw my first tube at the age of 16. I was at Victoria station, having just disembarked from the airport coach, with two enormous boxes on either side. Believe it or not, but the Air India flight from Delhi was two hours early and Kiran, my sister, with whom I had come to stay, was taken completely by surprise.

"Take the coach from Heathrow and then the tube to Bond Street" were her crisp instructions. "I'll be at the other end."