CHECK THIS PAGE FREQUENTLY AS IT CONTAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION WHICH IS INTENDED TO MAKE YOUR LONDON SEMESTER A TRULY GREAT EXPERIENCE!

Rate of exchange as of 2/09/01:  £ 1  = $1.44

MONEY MATTERS!
Britain's currency is divided into pounds (£) , with bills in £50, £20, £10, and £5 notes. Coins come in £2, £1 pieces as well as pence (p) including 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p, and 1p.

There are ATM machines and banks located throughout London if you need cash. It is recommended that you bring money in the form of Travelers' Checks with you as they are safe and convenient to carry since if they are lost or stolen they can be canceled and you can obtain replacement checks. You can purchase these checks in dollars or pounds sterling. It is wise to buy smaller denominations as well as larger ones. Banks give the best rates of exchange but if you find yourself in need of currency and there is no bank in sight, you can go to one of many bureau de change. It is best to use reputable ones such as American Express, Thomas Cook, or Chequepoint.

TRAVELING AROUND
London is an easy city to navigate either on foot or by using public transportation. You can either take the Underground [known as the Tube] or, if you like to see the sights, the bus. While the Tube is faster, the buses allow you to see more of London and you may actually get to speak to some Londoners! A London Transport Travel Pass can be purchased at any Underground Station and allows unlimited use of the Tube and buses in Zones 1 and 2 and points beyond, if desired.

The Tube operates daily [the exception being Christmas] from Monday to Saturday starting at 5:30 am and Sundays at 7:00am with the last train leaving around midnight on weekdays and 11:30pm on Sundays but it is always best to check at each individual station. Smoking is prohibited everywhere on the Tube. While transit Police do patrol, most platforms have strategically placed red panic buttons one can press to alert the police if they feel threatened. All Underground stations are clearly marked.

Main bus stops are designated by signs displaying a red circle on a white background along with information on bus routes and times. You may hail a bus at a request stop, marked by a white circle on a red background, by waving your arm. Once aboard, if you wish to get off at a request stop, you must ring the bell before reaching the stop. Buses generally run from 6:00am to midnight Monday through Saturday and from 7:30am to 11:30pm on Sunday. Theoretically, buses run at least every 15 minutes or more frequently on busy routes but are often affected by heavy traffic conditions. There are night buses which run between 11:00pm and 6:00am on the main routes of London where all of them pass through Trafalgar Square.

Travelcards may also be used on the Docklands Light Railway [DLR] which caters to the Docklands to the east of London. The DLR runs Monday through Friday 5:40am to 9:30pm with limited service on weekends.
 

If you decide to travel throughout the UK, you can purchase a Britrail Pass for 15 days which allows you to travel either 1st class for $600. or 2nd class for $400.  If you wish to travel outside of the UK, a 15 day EurRail pass is $554. [only 1st class is available]. You may also chose to buy a EURO [allowing travel in Spain, Switzerland, France, Germany, and Italy]. A 6-day pass is $368. and an 8-day pass is $448. These can be purchased in the US. For further information call: 800-438-7245
or you may contact Council Travel in the Aztec Center, (619) 594-4589.

SHOPPING
There are many places to shop in London ranging from huge department stores such as Harrods, Debenhams, Marks & Spencer, and Selfridges to small boutiques. The main shopping areas are on Oxford Street and Regent Street. Stores open around 9:00am although some open at 10:00am and close at 6:00pm or 7:00pm except for Wednesday when they close at 8:00pm in the Knightsbridge and Kensington areas or Thursday in the Oxford Street and Regent Street areas.

Keep in mind that sizes in the U.K. are different from the U.S. and the rest of Europe:
Women's Dress Sizes
UK    8    10    12    14    16    18
US     6     8    10    12    14    16

Women's Shoe Sizes
UK    4.5    5    5.5    6    6.5    7
 US      6    6.5    7    7.5    8    8.5

Men's suits and shirts are the same in the UK and the US

Men's Shoe Sizes
UK    7    7.5    8.5    9.5    10.5  11
US     8    8.5    9.5   10.5   11.5    12

There are now supermarkets in London including the Safeway and Sainsbury chains. There are also small markets in every neighborhood and, of course, the food halls at Harrods and at Fortnum and Mason.

There are many pharmacies [chemists] throughout London including Boots, a large chain. Be aware that many drugs sold over the counter in other countries can only be obtained with a doctor's prescription in Britain. If you do take medications, bring an ample supply with you.
 

TELEPHONES
London abounds with public phone booths--in the streets, pubs, museums, stores, and Underground stations--which are served by either B.T. [British Telecom] or Mercury. There are both coin-operated B.T. phones which only accept £1, 50p, 20p, or 10p coins and B.T. card phones which accept B.T. phone cards that can be purchased in post offices and newsstands in various denominations. Many phones now accept credit cards as well. Mercury phones also accept Mercury phone cards and regular credit cards.

Keep in mind that the phone system in London has its own unique sounds. When you pick up the receiver, you should hear a continuous dial tone. After dialing a number, you will hear a ring, ring, pause to indicate it is ringing at the other end. If you hear a series of rapid beeps, this is a busy signal while a continuous sound means the number is unobtainable. The cost of the call depends upon the time it is made with the least expensive periods being Monday through Friday from 6:00pm to 8:00am and on weekends. Remember that there is a 8 hour time difference between California and London. [If it is 6:00pm in London, it is 10:00am in California.]

Useful Numbers
International calls = 00 + 1 [for the U.S.A.] + area code + number
Operator assisted calls within the U.K. = 100
International Operator assisted calls outside the U.K. = 155
Information in London = 142
Information within the rest of the U.K. = 192
Information for overseas = 153

DIAL 999 for EMERGENCIES
These calls are free and you can use any telephone, card or pay, without inserting anything!You must state whether you need Fire, Police, or Ambulance!

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
The electrical current in the UK is 240 volts, 50 cycle A.C. while plugs are three-prong square. In order to use any electronic equipment such as hair dryers, curling irons, electric toothbrushes, laptop computers [laptops require special adapters! Check the manufacturer's specifications], etc., you must have an adapter kit. These kits contain various shaped plugs as well as a voltage converter. There are several stores which stock them including K-Mart [$14.99 or $24.99 in Sporting Goods]; Walmart [$24.88 in Furniture and Travel]; Home Depot [$19.91 in Electrical Dept. #933883]; Longs Drug Stores [$19.99].

CLIMATE AND CLOTHING
Although the temperature in London seldom falls below freezing, the northerly winds can make it feel very cold in the winter months but rain is the biggest problem so plan on bringing reliable waterproof gear! Think coats, hats, boots, and umbrellas! As for clothing, think multiple layers of clothing and it would be a good idea to bring some thermal underclothes along for those cold, wet days. Generally during the months you will be in London, the temperature will range from around the mid to low sixties in September and October usually dropping into the low fifties to mid forties in December. If you wear a head covering, scarf, and gloves during the colder times, you will keep much warmer and be more comfortable.

HAVE A SAFE SEMESTER!
London is a large, lively, crowded city and, like any urban area, is subject to substantial incidents of petty crime, especially pick pocketing! Make your stay safe by following some common sense suggestions. Always travel in a group of at least two or three and if you must carry valuables, conceal them in a money belt worn under your clothing. Keep a tight hold on purses and cameras and remain alert while walking about and window shopping.

Be sure to have photocopies of all important documents such as passports and keep notes of traveler's check numbers and credit card details (usually on the back of the card). If you are robbed, immediately report the loss of credit cards and traveler's checks to the issuing company and make a report at the nearest police station. Be sure to obtain a copy of the report and a crime reference number so that you can make an insurance claim. Report the loss of a passport to the American Embassy at 24 Grosvenor Square (tel: 020-7499 9000) immediately!

Just as in any city, it is not wise to be out in some parts of London late at night by yourself. If you must go out, go as part of a group and avoid parks, or commons or poorly lit areas. Travel on busy, well lit streets and if it is very late and public transportation has closed down, take a taxi rather than risk any problems. In other words, use common sense and don't take unnecessary risks. The staff at Foundation House will be happy to advise you as to areas that are risky so don't be afraid to consult them before setting out on a jaunt.