England Journey Diary (1)

My learning story probably is a little bit similar with "Kitchen Math" story.

My story is about how I learn to use subway train, or in Baltimore we say "Metro". Since, algorithm and topology (the knowledge of places/distance?) is one of the math branch, I entitle my story as "Metro Math".

In Indonesia, we do not have subway train. Hence, I experienced tremendous traveler anxiety when I had to use Metro at the first time. It was my wife's first day of school in her Master program. I remember it was August 20, 2011 when we went together to Johns Hopkins Medical School using Metro. Before we went to the Metro station, I did some browsing on the GoogleMaps in order to get some explanation about how to get to the school.

Apparently, two dimensional (2D) and some step-by-step instruction is not enough for the first Metro rider like us to be able to use Metro properly. It takes tremendous effort to transfer 2D images into three dimensional (3D) experience. I felt anxious when I have to go deep down to the underground. I also confused what to use. A lot of question suddenly popped out when we arrived on Penn North Metro Station. Do I have to use the lift, but on the lift it said that it is for disable person only? How do I go down to the train platform? Where is the train platform? Fortunately, a very kind African American lady came to us and guided us. I could not imagine how anxious I was. The ticket controlled gate was a completely new thing for me. How do I get the ticket? What I have to do with the ticket to go through that gate? If the lady didn't help us, I sure would stand still for several minutes in front of the Metro gate dealing with my own mental barrier.

I think it is much easier to be guided through the real experience than read it in the internet.

And the next day, my wife found that she had free shuttle bus from Mt. Washington to Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. But for me, the Metro adventure is continued. The second problem of Metro Math is how to understand the Metro Line Map. On my everyday experience using Metro, I developed mental model how the Metro Map, presented as a straight line with dots, represents 3D journey from one place to another place. It is not as difficult as my first experience using Metro because I already broke down the mental barrier.

But the real test was yesterday, when I have to use London Subway Trains. In Baltimore, we only have one Metro Line. In London, they have ELEVEN subway trains called the tubes!

The Metro Line Map is a lot more sophisticated. But basically, the algorithm of the journey is similar: find your destination, buy ticket, go through the ticket controlled gate, find your train platform, get into the train and so on. In Baltimore, we have Charm Card as the topped up ticket. In London, they have Oyster Card. Confused yet? I did. And I said before, it is easier to experience it by yourself.

Using my experience riding Metro in Baltimore, I adapted quickly in London Tubes system. I felt less traveler anxiety. I felt familiar with the system. What I need to do just taking some time to break down those eleven lines into single line, the line that I want to travel to. And, of course I need to take time to read the instruction in the station and on the traveler map.

And voila! Big Ben, here I come :)