Embracing the Charm of British Double-Decker Buses: A Personal Journey

Teddy bears and tea-cup sets may charm visitors to the UK, but there's one element that truly captures the essence of British culture - the double-decker buses. For years, I've been a steadfast admirer of these iconic vehicles, drawn in by their grace and the unique experience they offer. Particularly memorable are the stories and experiences that come with them, especially the tales of our beloved Routemasters.

A Scurrying Scared Mouse Amid the Drama

Years ago, I was a rather naive and gullible hairdressing apprentice, innocent and often annoyingly well-behaved. One morning, our salon manager Nona arrived very late, looking disheveled and overly disheveled, with torn clothes. It was certainly a sight to behold, and the salon staff, along with other visitors outside, were all agog at her state. However, Nona was not there due to an unfortunate accident but was firmly hanging onto the pole of a moving Routemaster bus, oblivious to the chaos around her. It was certainly the stuff of dramatic movies, with passengers screaming and traffic honking. Yet, three cheers for these Routemasters - they're a part of my life, and I will always adore them.

The Noisy Nosey Nostalgia of Younger Days

As a child, traveling on a double-decker bus was akin to stepping onto the grand stage, just more exciting. In my village, we only had one-decked buses, which were quite limited. So, whenever I got the opportunity to ride elsewhere, I always sought the top deck, ideally in the front, where I could gaze out the front and side windows. It was like a child on Christmas morning, oh, how I used to love it!

The late 1960s and early 1970s saw me boarding a bus to college, hoping with all my might for a seat upstairs. And what joy it brought - the scene outside, the people, the stories - everything was so much more vivid when I was up here, high above the bustling world below. Back then, we didn't have the luxury of open decked buses, but one day, everything changed.

The Waterlogged Wonders of Flooded Buses

One memorable day, we were riding in a bus, and it started raining, and it poured. So much so, that a flood began to rise through the lower deck, drenching everyone there. But, because I was up there, on the upper deck, my feet stayed dry while I listened to the commotion below. Open decked buses, on the other hand, are a whole different ball game. They're fantastic when the weather is fine, as long as there's no water running through the buses at the same time.

These buses embody much more than mere transportation; they're a part of history, a living piece of our culture. Each journey, each view, each story, makes them unique. And though times may change, these buses remain a symbol of the good, old British charm. Whether it's the Routemasters or the classic red double-deckers, they are a delight to behold and a joy to ride.