As published in The Florida Villager.
The Eye of London
No, I’m not talking about the monstrous Ferris wheel in London, I’m talking about your eye; the gift of sight, but are we really seeing? This isn’t an article on what to see in London, Fodor’s can give you that. This is about how to see, not just in London but anywhere you travel. Recently, I stayed in London for an extended period of time and I noticed something as time went on. When I took a cab or the Tube, I was robbing myself of really seeing London. When I walked to wherever I needed to be, I saw the intricacies of the places I passed. It wasn’t just mindless; it was eye opening. I no longer looked down but looked up. I never realized all the things I was missing by never looking up, way up, when I walked. I saw all of the architecture of a building and not just what was at eye level. I saw the mystical effect from the glow of the lampposts on the rooftops at night. My walks were no longer a means to an end, they were intentional and filled with a sense of awe I hadn’t felt before.
I took in the beauty of all the churches that I hadn’t noticed, even though I had walked down that street many times. I read all the pub names instead of hurrying by, I even found one that was the name of my cat! I watched an old man feed the pigeons feeling his joy and I noticed all the flower stands that frequent the corners of London. The funny thing is, that this time I saw all the beautiful, vibrant colors of the flowers that brightened up an otherwise gray London day.
Just as Monet painted Haystacks at different times of the day to show the effects of lighting and weather, I noticed how visiting a place during the day vs at night each offered a completely different feel. Covent Garden during the day was impressive with its hustle and bustle and lots to see, but at night? At night, it transformed into a magical place. The hustle and bustle of the people during the day was now replaced with a sense of slow motion amid the intoxicating, dimly lit lights and the music was like a siren calling me to her. It was the same place, but the feeling it evoked was immensely different.
My point to all this, is when in London, take in all the sites, as there are so many to see. I know you don’t want to miss a thing but in rushing to see everything, you miss so much. Maybe take less pictures so you can be in the moment. Maybe go back at night to see its transformation. The London Bridge at night is unbelievable to behold, the cobbled alleys you walked down in the daylight are eerie and haunting in the moonlight. Maybe walk more and with intention and maybe, just look up.