Summer for Spring

It's been getting pretty hot around here lately, hitting highs of 26 degrees. Just a couple of weeks ago, we were doing 12 and it actually hailed. I think we just skipped Spring altogether here.

With the heat comes a need to cool down, but I guess it's a concept that the English hasn't picked up yet. For the $4 you pay to ride the bus (if you pay cash... I suggest investing in an Oyster Card), you get NO air conditioning. That's right. There aren't even FANS. Is it so much to ask for some proper air circulation during the hot season? Hong Kong buses, practically identical to London buses, are fully equipped with a/c that will blast your face off. Toronto buses have a/c. I'm not suggesting that HK or TO does public transportation better, I'm simply noting that it's a basic feature EVERYONE ELSE seem to have.

I hear it's even worse in the Underground. There's no a/c there either, and it's even hotter then the buses with all the people crammed into the trains. My chinese mind goes crazy calculating how little value I'm getting for my $8 (again, if it's cash) trip in the tube.

As bad as I make it to sound, it's really a minor nuisance that I'm willing to put up with to be in this city. The sun was out for a full week and lit up this beautiful city. Football finals are on full tilt and there's excitement in the air. Summer music festivals are on soon as well... I can't wait to go into Hyde Park and listen to Eric Clapton for free. Well, they're unofficial "seats", and I won't be able to see Clapton or the screen. But I don't have the $80 for the ticket, so what's a poor boy to do? =P