The London Eye

The flight on the London Eye offered a unique view of the city. The sight that held my attention for the majority of the ride was Big Ben and Parliament. From the ground, this site has the appearance of a very powerful and protected structure. While standing at the base of the tower and looking up to the top, it is near impossible not to feel extremely small. The numerous guards that surround Parliament add to the sense of inferiority that those around the building already feel due to its immense size. The architecture of the building also adds to its grand nature. The figures that line the rooftops point to the sky. This creates a feeling similar to that of a cathedral that maybe the people who partake in activities inside Parliament are closer to a higher power or deity than the common people. The view of Parliament from the London Eye, however, is in stark contrast to that from the ground.

While slowly travelling higher and higher above Parliament, I felt as if the power that seems to be held by this structure was temporarily transferred to all of the people who now stood above it. The difference in height obviously played a role in this short lived power shift, but there was another factor that surprised me. Being above Parliament, I was now able to see more of the building than just the four outer walls. I was able to see what these walls are hiding or protecting. Even though this view did not give me any useful power, it felt as if I were looking into a fortress. The security guards that are quite intimidating on the ground were not even visible from the sky. Parliament seemed much more vulnerable from this view.

I really enjoyed being able to experience London from such a different perspective.