The London Eye

The view from the London Eye was amazing. From the start of the trip I have wanted to go on the Eye so I could get a bird's eye view of the city, and I can definitely say that it is a much different scene from over 400 feet in the air. The city looks more compact; the buildings look extremely close to one another. The buildings look smaller and you can no longer see the intricate detail and designs that make them so beautiful. From the ground, I would stand with my head tilted back as I gazed at the magnificent structures that towered over me. Yet from the Eye, they seemed to loose some of their majesty, and they almost seemed like just another building in a big city. In particular, Parliament and St. Paul's Cathedral did not seem as majestic and powerful from the top of the eye. When from the ground, the large buildings radiate grace and intensity.

Not only did the individual buildings look different from the London Eye, the city as a whole was also viewed in a different light. From the sky, you can distinguish the different sections of the city; the old Victorian city of Westminster versus the newer and more modern parts of town. When walking around the streets of London, the city feels like it just goes on forever. But from the Eye, it seemed condensed with buildings lined up and crammed together. Instead of feeling small and gazing up at all the magnificent architecture London has to offer, I felt like I was looking down on a toy-sized city. It almost makes you feel larger than life in a sense, and you are no longer enthralled by the beauty of London.

I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of the London Eye, and would recommend others to take the time to do the same. However, I think I am more entranced with London when I am in the midst of its beauty, and not towering above. There is just something that is lost when you are looking down on an entire city at once, in stead of looking at each individual structure and really taking the time to appreciate all it's beauty and history. I don't know if it is just my perception of London as being this medieval city full of old buildings and history that doesn't like the condensed feeling of the Eye, but I definitely appreciate the city more when I am on the streets wandering around. I feel like so much is missed when we look at something from such a great distance, and sometimes we overlook many things of great importance or beauty because we can't see those qualities from such great heights. I appreciate the amazing view that the London Eye offers, but would much rather see the city from my normal point of view on the ground.