I WAS on my way to the Netherlands Embassy on Thursday morning. I had to organize a visa at the embassy, which is located at Hyde Park in the center of the city. I was due to meet with a visa officer at 10:30am local time. I had two choices to reach Hyde Park: the bus or, if I wanted to get there more quickly, the tube (the underground train). I glanced at my watch. I still had ample time so I chose the bus.

After only 10 minutes, the bus I