La Tour Eiffel

Serginio, my friend Odyssia, and I all decided that our trip to Paris would not be complete without visiting the Eiffel Tower.  Although the Eiffel Tower is the most well-known symbol of Paris today, it wasn’t built to stay.  In fact, it was nearly torn down twenty years after its construction (but was saved for the usefulness of its antenna).  Designed by Gustave Eiffel for the 1889 International Exhibition of Paris, it was the world’s tallest building before the Empire State Building. 

Like the pyramids at the Louvre or Marc Chagall’s modern paintings in the Grand Opera House, there were those who detested the Eiffel Tower.  In fact, in a letter signed by many Parisian artists, the tower was described as “useless and monstruous.” In a city where classical stone cathedrals and Romanesque buildings seem as abundant as Starbucks in New York, many people were not yet ready to view metal framework as something beautiful.  Nonetheless, the Eiffel Tower was a hit with tourists from the start. 

Much like the final scene of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, we watched the City of Lights shrink through the glass walls of the Eiffel Tower elevator as we approached the first level.  Upon our arrival, we immediately noticed a large ice sculpture of the Eiffel Tower, a classic Kodak moment.  As you see, we took our turn climbing inside.  We walked all around the base of the first level of the tower.  There were signs every few feet warning us not to throw snowballs.  However, we couldn’t even find the snow to tempt us into bending the rules.  (A bit of a change from Boston!)  Before we knew it, time ran out and the tower began to twinkle again, as it does for five minutes each hour.  Though it was brief, the aerial view of Paris at night was worth every minute.  (-Emilienne)

Odyssia and Emilienne inside an ice sculpture.