Millions join holiday caravan out of London

By Hasan Suroor

LONDON, DEC. 23. It is called the great ``getaway'', and it is in full swing. London is emptying out as people head ``home'' or abroad for Christmas holidays over the extended weekend stretching into the middle of the next week.

Millions of people would be travelling in the next two days amid warnings of chaos on roads, railways and airports. More than one million people are going abroad - 1 per cent more than last year - and many more are cluttering up the motorways with the holiday traffic likely to reach its peak on Sunday. Only the bravest are venturing on the railways, which are in such a bad shape that comparisons are being made with the ``efficiency'' of Indian Railways. People, desperately seeking time out, are ignoring warnings that they could be heading for some of the most nightmarish experiences on their way out of London.

Prophets of gloom are gleefully hawking bad weather, road congestions and train delays but for once, even the normally cautious ``Brits'' are not being deterred as they join the holiday caravan.

Last-minute Christmas shopping has reached its frenzy and to cope with the rush, most of the major stores have decided to remain open on Christmas eve. After all, it is not every day that people actually thank you for letting them help you pile up profits. For pickpockets, called the ``dips'', it is a season for which they wait the whole year, but the police are playing the spoilsport and are out in full strength in busy shopping centres as Oxford Street and High Street Kensington.

In this era of equal opportunities, women ``dippers'' are reported to be as active as their male peers, but with experience apparently not on their side, more women have fallen into the police net. Takes time to catch up with the boys.

An unexpected casualty of the festive spirit is the communication network. The mobile phone system faces a meltdown, we are told, not only because people are talking to each other more but because nearly five million new mobiles phones have been bought as gifts and once their proud owners get connected, the system could go haywire.

Meanwhile, the stress of shopping and the pressures brought on by overspending - domestic budgets have gone through the roof - are resulting in frayed tempers at home; and behind closed doors, decorated with X'mas trees and lighting, scenes of domestic violence are spoiling the fun.

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