Survival Guide

These won't make you into an SAS commander but they may help avoid some difficulties as you travel around.

• Take an umbrella even if its 35°C outside, it won't last long.
• Get hold of an A-Z map book if you are planning to stay for an extended period of time.
• Avoid eye contact on the tube, do like the locals do and stare at the screw on the opposite wall for the duration of your ride unless you wish to be singled out as a weirdo.
• NEVER buy or sell your used tube tickets to the guys outside the stations. They sell them on to buy drugs.
• NEVER take an unlicensed minicab from outside a club or pub, if you must, order one from a minicab office, and preferably share with a friend. Lone females should never take a minicab alone late at night.
• Put padlocks on day bags. In crowds or at displays keep your bag on your front and padlocked. Do not hang it over the back of your chair at an outside café.
• NEVER put anything remotely important in those cargo pants pockets. Pickpockets love them the most.
• NEVER take your day bag with passport, credit cards, guide book, train pass, plane tickets and $1000 Nikon to dinner and the pub. Take a disposable camera and as much cash as you will need. The rest can stay in the safety deposit boxes where you are staying.
• Ear plugs, flip-flops and a sarong. The SAS would agree totally.
• One noisy plastic bag only in your pack. This avoids someone hurling abuse and bottles at your head at 6am when you are leaving your hostel room for the airport.
• Try jellied eels at your own peril.
• Look RIGHT when crossing the road, mind the gap and...
• Keep an open mind!