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*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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