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TIPS FOR TOURISTS TO LONDON (especially Americans)

*If you do get lost or need to phone for help.  It usually take about
30p for land lines in call boxes (phone booths) however ringing a
mobilephone from a call box is horrendously expensive so talk quick and say
exactly you need.  To dial anywhere outside of Central London the “area”
code is 208 whereas in the city it’s 207.  Put in your money and then
dial 0 for a local and then use the area code and number.  Any mobile
number will be given with the 0 in front of it.

*Over here an ATM is called a Cash point and they’re pretty much all
over any and all tourist areas!  So if you need cash get it out of an
account (hopefully you have money in the account in America) rather than
using dollars and getting hugely ripped off by transferring money.  It's
the easiest thing and then otherwise use plastic--keep cash for little
items as much as possible.  Also do note that it will ask you how much
you want and then SPIT your card at you –DON’T PANIC –it’s just
processing and will give you the money it just doesn’t do it like the American
ones do.  

*Keep the MAPS and particularly the directions homeward and tube map on
hand however all the tubes have a wall sign telling which line your on
and it’s stops.  

*Coins and paper notes…….It’s rather confusing for those with green
bills that all look the same except for the number in the corner but
actually it’s a brilliant system.  The notes are in £5 the littlest one that
is green/blue then a £10 that is orangey and a £20 that’s purplish.  
The one thing they all have in common is Lizzy’s face!  There is a £50
but since I don’t see those much can’t remember what it looks like.  The
train machines take £5 notes and £10 but nothing bigger.  The coins are
in a £2, which is a large fat gold/silver coin that you won’t see as
often (and the automated ticket machines don’t take).  Next is £1 (which
remember people is a $1.62 or more rolling around in your hands so pay
attention!!) which is a “fat” coin that is a little goldy/bronze in
colour, next is a large 50 pence piece which looks like a big stop sign,
then a 20 pence piece which is the same as the 50 except much smaller
with a little edge around it and the 10 pence is round and larger
whereas a 5 pence piece is a really tiny little circle (even smaller
then the pennies), 2 pence pieces which is penny colour and large and
finally one penny (which is a called a penny but anything bigger is
pence—go figure) which is small round and penny coloured.  Take a bit of time
to “practice” so you’re familiar but Londoners are used to tourists .  
In local language the five and ten pound notes are referred to as a
“fiver” or a “tener”.   

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