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

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."

Bond Street was around the corner from Kiran's office but for me, new to London and both excited and anxious, it was a name from Monopoly. The mass of people was startling. They seemed in a hurry but also very businesslike. Whilst the few who were lounging around, with spiky hair and broad bell bottoms, appeared disconcertingly mod. In my grey flannels and ill-fitting school blazer, I knew I looked like the outsider I felt I was.