Post Your Ferris Wheels, Carousels, etc. from Around the World

Florence

1L5A0249-WEB$.jpg
 
London in 2002

x20020718-153065955_04.jpg

The London Eye was one thing that certainly was not in London when we were there in 1950 (a Goal). I thought it would be wonderful to see London all spread out in front of me like a map. We took the bus over to Waterloo Station, which was as close as I thought I could come to the British Airways London Eye (a big ferris wheel type arrangement) on public transportation. We walked a good ways trying to get to the actual site. I'm sure there's a better way to do this, but I don't know what it is.


We got there about 1400 and stood in line to get tickets (£17.00 pounds for two seniors plus £2 for the little pull-out photo crib sheet which worked out to $30.22). You need the crib sheet so you can figure out what is in your photos later. But our 'flight' wasn't until 1630, so we sat around and people watched, and then at 1600 stood in line. The people behind us in line were English from the south of England. I had been told not to talk to strangers because the English did not do that but we had a nice conversation with them. They had been there earlier and had been told there were no flights until 1830, but when they came back they were able to get the 1630 flight.

Bob thought the queues of people were inefficiently managed, as there were numerous opportunities for folks to jump the queue. You could start to line up a hour ahead, and then half an hour ahead, they moved you straight across the area that people leaving the London Eye were coming out.
But whatever.
Other people waiting to get on


Other people waiting to get on

It looked like it might rain, but when it did any raining (just a drizzle) it was when we were under cover. We had a relatively peaceful go-round and the cloudy day reduced the problem of reflections

Getting in the capsule

Getting in the capsule

Trampolines next to the London Eye

Trampolines next to the London Eye

Near the end of the trip, they ask you to stand and look at the camera and they took an automatic picture of the riders on that capsule. I totally didn't see where to stand when they said they would take our pictures, so I didn't even look at the picture booth when we got off.
 
Bob thought the queues of people were inefficiently managed, as there were numerous opportunities for folks to jump the queue.
I'm not sure it was ever true, but the British were known for their perfect and well mannered queue behaviour. It's true. It was said they didn't push and shove, they didn't try to cut corners, but instead just stood in line patiently until it was their turn to get in to whatever it was they stood in line for.

Love the photos, Rosalie.

I don't like going in one of these. Never did.
 
True, standing for 15 minutes in perfect queue with 3 other people, the double decker comes and the conductor says only 2 please for an almost empty bus, no complaints.
 
I'm not sure it was ever true, but the British were known for their perfect and well mannered queue behaviour. It's true. It was said they didn't push and shove, they didn't try to cut corners, but instead just stood in line patiently until it was their turn to get in to whatever it was they stood in line for.
Yes, it's true—by and large anyway. I'm not sure when queueing started, but it was certainly a thing in World War II, when food was rationed. Then you had to take your turn or risk being assaulted, so queueing became a way of life and the habit stuck. Queue jumpers certainly exist, probably because the war generation has more or less died out, but they are still frowned upon. The London tube trains are an exception though. Those have always been a free-for-all. Bus queues are another area where the habit is breaking down somewhat.
 
Yes, it's true—by and large anyway. I'm not sure when queueing started, but it was certainly a thing in World War II, when food was rationed. Then you had to take your turn or risk being assaulted, so queueing became a way of life and the habit stuck. Queue jumpers certainly exist, probably because the war generation has more or less died out, but they are still frowned upon. The London tube trains are an exception though. Those have always been a free-for-all. Bus queues are another area where the habit is breaking down somewhat.
Good to know it was actually true. And still is for the most part.
 
Back
Top Bottom