A little bit of background: I do not enjoy heights. Roller coasters, don’t mention them. Anything that does not require my feet being planted on the ground is not a thought that comes to mind. Well, one step at a time, and 52 meters (about 170 feet) later, I got over that fear, even if it was just for an hour and a half.
The famous O2 Arena is more than just a concert venue and arena. There are restaurants, a cinema, and their expedition experience: Up at the O2. I had first heard of this when CAPA took us on the riverboat tour to Greenwich. Our tour guide had pointed out the O2 Dome when we had reached the top of the hill where the Observatory is and had mentioned how you can actually climb it. It wasn’t an idea that I was completely in love with, but it did sound cool.
Being on fall break and having decided to stay in London, it didn’t take much thought to add it to the list of things to do, and to be honest, I’m so glad it was. The whole experience was really fun. The walkway is held a few meters above the top of the tent, extending from one side to the next, with a viewing platform at the top. Besides the hardness, one gets a suit and hiking boots to give you more grip since the walkway is bouncy to duplicate the feeling of actually walking on the tent. The weather had been bad that morning so the walkway was wet, but that didn’t stop anyone.
The climb up along the side made me realize what I was actually doing. It almost seemed easy. Before I knew it, we had reached the viewing platform, and it was completely breathtaking. Anywhere I turned, there was a part of London along with its fog. We were allowed to take our phones in a small pocket of the suit to be able to capture that moment.
After some time in the platform, it was time to come down. Our expedition leader, Alex, seemed to be taking long to get us down there and I started to get nervous. Of course I was the last in line so I couldn’t really see how the others were doing. When I got close enough, I realized how steep the descend was. The fear that had once been forgotten quickly appeared again. I told myself that I had already made it so far. This was truly the only way done. Plus the others in the group had done it. I could to. and I did. I was the slowest and I paced myself, but I made it to the bottom.
I can’t believe that I’m already half way through my experience here in London. I have learned so much about myself and have grown as an individual. Being able to conquer one of my fears in this city makes me excited for what’s to come and what else I am capable of conquering!