London is well London. It's everything the books, stories, lore, movies, tv make it out to be. The history. The royal family. Crooked streets that lead to either something wonderful or mysterious. It's all here. We began our journey jet lagged and at the British Museum. The building itself is amazing. Every bit of grand Victorian era design was thrown into this building. The interior court blends 21st London with its historic past in a way that feels like its been there forever.
This is London in a nutshell. Space is a premium, so modern buildings are wedged between 16th century churches and prewar art deco flats. Styles clash but work together at the same time. The Shard, europe's newest and largest mixed use building, rises 70 stories over the city, constantly reminding everyone that the new London is here to stay. The spectacle of new construction around this city is everywhere. Cranes dot the skyline, more I tank than the modern skyscrapers that exist currently.
And so to see the city the best way I could, I headed to the London Eye my first day. Most Londoners will push it off as a tourist attraction, and I'm sure I would equate it to the Hancock or sears tower in Chicago - if you live in the city you just don't go to those things. I must say however, the Eye is definitely a must experience. Rather than be placed into a swinging open air gondola of traditional ferris wheels, you are placed into a 25 person air conditioned capsule that gently moves with the rotation of the wheel. The views are amazing and is sort of a got to do it activity in London. Me being the nerd I am I was just as enthralled over the Eye structure as I was the views. It's to me a thing of amazing beauty.
Lastly I decided to try to go see Olympic park, home to the 2012 summer Olympics. Sadly I have to report that was a disappointment. 12' high fences with 3' of electrified fencing greeted me as I approached the park from Stratford station. With less than 60 days the park is nearly built but there is a lot of finish work left to do. The flurry of construction was rather interesting to see, albeit from afar.
All in all London's a great city to visit. So cultural, diverse and dense I could spend years discovering every nook and cranny here. To be honest I avoided London for a long time because I felt that it's where all Americans go, but I can see why. This place is amazing!
Off to Manchester today to play in the sixth Bingham Cup.
