Northern girl Yasmin Jaunbocus from Lancaster University, writing for The National Student on the hell that is The London Underground:

I’m a northerner, through and through.  I was born and raised in Manchester, went to a university in the north and pretty much haven’t left that part of the country apart from jetting off for a few sporadic family holidays and student jaunts to European cities. The furthest south I reached and properly explored would probably be about Birmingham, so apart from southerner friends and the occasional passing through on the train, the south is pretty much an enigma to this northern girl.

One city I haven’t visited in over a decade is London and after being lucky enough to gain some work experience in the Queen’s hometown I couldn’t wait to get stuck in doing touristy things like take cheesy pictures next to every London landmark as well as getting some valuable experience which will hopefully benefit me in the future.

As for the city itself, I love it.  It’s all a buzz with the excitement of the Olympics, even if there are the few odd grumbles from some grumpy office workers and narked taxi drivers. The rain isn’t perpetual like it is in Manchester and there is always something to do whatever time it is. It’s a hodge podge of everything diverse, old and new, people from every corner of the earth and I couldn’t think of a place better to hold this year’s Olympics.

But like with every good thing, there has to be a downside. Unfortunately this downside detracts rapidly from all the other hundred million good things about London city. London city’s nemesis is without doubt the tube.

Full story here.