Marveling at the Beauty of Wind Resistance in Paris, France
It was pouring down rain, thunder, lightening, the works. Soaked and shivering, we wondered if we could skip the whole thing. Then my seven-year-old looked up at the Eiffel Tower and said, her voice shaking, "Mama, it's the most beautiful moment of my life." Gustave Eiffel succinctly explained why it's so beautiful: "Wind resistance." But—if you want to see it and not feel like a sheep for slaughter—walk up: 704 stairs to the second floor, where the view is just as great as at the top. It's fun. People from all continents are laughing at how out of shape they are while the people in the elevator want to kill each other. If you plan ahead, there's also a great Behind-the-Scenes tour, complete with secret war bunker.
Dear La Dama de Fer,
Chances are I'll never be able to keep you for myself. Besides, you'd hardly fit in my living room, you and your two million rivets. But our long distance relationship is killing me. If you have a soul, which you must, I imagine you would wrap your loving latticed arms around the universe. You'll never be all mine. But I was with you, on the grass there under your gaze. For 3 long days. ~gb
It's not that hard. With the Eiffel tower sticking out of the Paris skyline, it's visible for miles around. Truthfully, it's kind of hard not to go. All the tours go there, all the guides go there, heck, even all the roads lead there. Rome, watch out. You have a new contender. Beautiful doesn't do it justice. Built for the world's fair, it was so good that nobody wanted to tear it down. All the pictures make it look tiny, but just wait until you stand under it. Like a huge monster, it scowls down on you from its mighty perch. Suddenly, you notice another line of people. Yup, that's the elevator! After a short wait in it, soon you ascend to the top of the world (that's what it feels like) them look out over the city of Paris. Then, a quick glance down shows you what brought you to this amazing spot. Yes, art can truly do anything.
Famous French musician Johnny Hallyday has just finished his energetic performance on the Champs de Mars, the park just east of the Eiffel Tower, to celebrate Bastille Day, one of France's largest national holidays, to the roaring applause of the cosmopolitan crowd. As the sun begins to hide itself, a shadowy Eiffel Tower hovers over the congregation, which buzzes with excitement. The fireworks display, featuring flames shooting outwards from the tower, visual effects which miraculously make the "Iron Lady" appear to be twisting and turning, in addition to a well-timed score of invigorating classical music, does not disappoint, to say the least, in its 20+ minutes of captivating duration.
It was pouring down rain, thunder, lightening, the works. Soaked and shivering, we wondered if we could skip the whole thing. Then my seven-year-old looked up at the Eiffel Tower and said, her voice shaking, "Mama, it's the most beautiful moment of my life." Gustave Eiffel succinctly explained why it's so beautiful: "Wind resistance." But—if you want to see it and not feel like a sheep for slaughter—walk up: 704 stairs to the second floor, where the view is just as great as at the top. It's fun. People from all continents are laughing at how out of shape they are while the people in the elevator want to kill each other. If you plan ahead, there's also a great Behind-the-Scenes tour, complete with secret war bunker.
The Eiffel Tower may be one of the most recognizable icons in the world — but did you know it does stuff, too? That's right! Since midnight of New Year's Eve 2000, at the top of every hour—night or day—the Eiffel Tower explodes into a million sparkling diamonds for a full minute before retreating back into its stately repose. Whether you're right below it or a kilometer down the Seine, it's a spectacular sight. Don't miss it.
The Eiffel Tower, to some, is the heart of Paris. And while climbing to the top offers a great view of the city, staying down below also is an experience to cherish. Pack a lunch and blanket and sit on the grass in front of the tower, and marvel over its tremendous size. Feel minuscule as it looms over you while you're munching on your cheese and fruit and shield your eyes from the sun as you look up and marvel over its size. Take joy in the children running around you, the tourist snapping their pictures, the young kids with their iPods, and the lovers smooching. Be glad you don't have to wait two hours in the lines to get to the top, and relax and listen as the city unfolds itself around you. Within the hustle and bustle of the main roads and tourist buses, it's easy to feel at peace as the warm sun shines and a small breeze wafts through the trees all around.
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