London, Buddy Holly and The Eye

The music is electric (literally). Before long more people are dancing in the aisles and singing along. The cast is incredibly talented and is turned on by the reaction of the audience. When it is over we all stand in ovation to this great show. The band goes into encore songs, over and over as the crowd cheers. We are all buzzed and happy as we leave the theatre, very late. Wow what a night!

*Along with Buddy Holly,Richie Vallens, joined the ill-fated journey because of a flip of a coin. Waylon Jenning gave his seat to the Big Bopper, who had the flu, in exchange for a sleeping bag. The Pilot's name was Roger Peterson.

The surviving musicians were convinced to keep on with the disastrous tour, with a new lead singer, so the families of those killed would be paid. The promotors left them high and dry at their last gig in the tour, claiming to be bankrupt. No one was ever paid.

The next morning we head for the Millennium Ferris Wheel, affectionately called "The Eye,"to pick up our reserved tickets. This structure is awesome. It is huge, much bigger than it appears from the distance. The pods are like something from outer space, and when you are inside one, you feel like a passenger on a space ship.

After a short 20-minute wait we enter our pod and are slowly taken up into the sky above the city. The Eye at 135 meters high is the highest observation wheel in the world. It has a spectacular view, which encompasses not only the panorama of the city, Buckingham Palace, a great view of Big Ben and the Parliament, but if the sky is clear, Windsor Castle and environs can be seen. It is a bit hazy today, but the city view is spectacular, with its elegant old buildings, the famous Thames River and the green treed parks.

Eight hundred of us in 32 glass capsules slowly move up and over, with a 360 degree view of the world, that is London. This so-called flight takes 30 minutes as the wheel slowly makes one revolution. Already it has become a familiar London landmark. It is the fourth highest structure in London. I had seen, read about it and written about this landmark before, but one must experience it to get the full picture. It is a marvelous trip.

After a light

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