On September 27th, 2003 in London, my friend Lynsey & I encountered a sight we'd never seen before... and never will again.

Lynsey's 'obsession' with David Blaine and my mild disinterest culminated in a decision to visit him in his Perspex box by Tower Bridge in London. (There are images of Lynsey, but I sense she would be reluctant to allow me to post them.)

She was there on a personal quest to visit her current idol, I was there out of curiosity, and well because I was idle. ''The Blaine'' made me laugh. Plus I'd heard there was a burger van...

I was banned from calling him names. I was not to laugh at him. And the search of my person and bags prohibited the throwing of missiles, unfortunately.

It was, without a doubt one of the most bizarre and yet interesting experiences I've had. I watched a couple of hundred people watch a man in a big glass box watch them watching him.

Some were there to abuse, some ( like me ) out of idle curiosity, some were there because he fascinated and puzzled them, some because they adored him (Lynsey fits into this group) and then we have the nutters.

(please read on, it's quite interesting...)

There he lay, in his box. This view is from the side, on the first part of Tower Bridge.

The longest a person can survive without water is a few days, and without food, roughly 6 weeks...

David Blaine planned to live on nothing but water for 44 days.

The tube that fresh water was pumped through is visible in this picture.

The one he wee'd out of is also visible, coming out below the box. We watched him wee. *stare* Weirdo.

He signalled to the crowd quite a bit.

A view from behind the box.

I can only imagine how he kept himself occupied.

Maybe watching the sun set to his left every night, or by gazing at the river and buildings that faced him,

Or across Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, which was to his right.

Then again, the people below would provide entertainment and distraction, for sure.

Some of his 'fans' discussing why they were there, and what they felt about 'David' They believed they knew him.

*cough* freaks *cough*

After the sun had gone down.

We stayed a couple of hours around lunchtime, (the Burger Van drove me crazy after a hour, I don't know how The Blaine's belly coped with the aromas coming through his little window) We met a fan called Zoë who pointed out people and told us about his ''Number One Fan'' who slept in a sleeping bag under David Blaine's box.

Lynsey and I waved at The Blaine and I took photo's and videoed him having a wee in his tube. He waved at us a couple of times and I mouthed to him at one point ''Get out the box'' but of course, he didn't. Lynsey felt for sure she had a 'moment' with him. She was so pleased we had come.

Whatever people's reasons for being there, the atmosphere was like that of a special occasion. There seemed to me an air of ''this is a once in a lifetime thing.'' There were some 'interesting' people in the crowd, who I'll fondly refer to as nutters, but  they'd refer to themselves as 'fans' who felt they had a connection to The Blaine that no one else did.

The TV camera man who was filming it for Channel 4, or Sky One (I'm not sure) soon zoomed in on their heated debate. In some ways, the people watching The Blaine were more interesting than he was. It illustrated for me, just how many people are influenced by the media, and how they can become engrossed and immersed in celebrities and their lives.

We left and visited some other famous landmarks around London, but returned later to see The Blaine again, once more before we went home. I can imagine saying one day when I'm old and doddery; ''I remember when we saw The Blaine in his box.'' I know for sure I won't forget it.

 

He stayed in the box for the 44 days, spent a few days in a private hospital,
and then checked himself out and disappeared.

It is said that he has recovered fully from the time in the box, and his body suffered no long term harm.

Kids, do not try this at home.

Some people were truly inspired by David Blaine's stay in his perspex box.

I must admit my thoughts swayed from 'Publicity seeking idiot' to fond irreverence. I certainly didn't think he was a hero, but I must admit a grudging admiration for his nerve and willpower.

I did feel that it was inappropriate to starve yourself for a 'stunt' when there are people who do so for a cause, or because they have nothing to eat.

As long as David Blaine found some meaning for it, then I suppose what I think doesn't matter. Maybe it was for money, or maybe he feels he has a calling.
Who knows?

 

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