Fun Fact: When the Eiffel Tower was built, the Parisians hated it. They thought it ruined the skyline and wanted it gone. It was built for a world exposition, and was the tallest structure in the world until the Chrysler building was built (M’rica). Since all of the people of Paris hated this monument, it would be taken down and moved to the next site of the world’s exposition the next time they held one. However, when that time came, there was a world war going on, and the French government had other things on their minds. But it was a good thing, because now it is the MOST visited monument in the world… of people who visit the top. That does not include the number of people who only go to the second floor, or who stay on the ground. (like me). People come from all over the world for the Eiffel Tower, so it’s probably a good thing the French didn’t get rid of it as planned.
On my first day in Paris, I was exhausted (if you read my post about sleeping in the airport, you will know why). I ended up just hanging at my couchsurfing hosts’ flat for like 5 hours and being lazy on the couch. Then the nerve struck and I was like, yo lazy butt, you’re in PARIS, at least go see some of the city.
So I got up and started walking “towards the city.” My host, Paulin, (he is AWESOME btw) told me to just turn left and then keep going straight, and I’ll wind up in the heart of Paris. I did not have a map, nor any knowledge of how to get one haha. I set off anyways. I dropped a pin on my map on my phone at Paulin’s flat so that I would at least be able to figure out how to get home.
As I was wandering the streets, I fell in love. The architecture of Paris is stunning. I found out that this certain type is called Housemanian Architecture: all the buildings are 6 stories high, with curved roofs, and curly iron railings. This is because Napolean wanted Paris to be cohesive, so he basically burned down all the buildings and rebuilt them in this style, of the architect: Houseman. Mind blown right?
I wandered my way into a square and found a place that made macarons. I bought two of them, but didn’t eat them right away (I know mom, you’re shocked). I wanted to eat them while looking at the Eiffel Tower, along with a baguette. It’s a crazy dream of mine, and it was happily fulfilled. With my awesome luck, Paulin told me that the macarons I bought are from one of the best places in Paris. SCORE.
Walking, walking, walking… I knew the Eiffel Tower was somewhere, and then I caught my first glimpse, as the sun was setting over the Seine. It was absolutely beautiful.
I thought, YES I AM SO CLOSE! Wrong. I was so wrong. Believe it or not, that is super far away. It’s funny how giant structures can appear like they are so close. So I’m excited and am trying to make it straight on, and I turn down a street once I see it “eye to eye”… and then I lose the Eiffel Tower. How do you lose sight of a huge monument when all the buildings are only 6 stories high? Yeah, I don’t know either. But on this small excursion of not knowing where I was, I found a bomb diggity baguette place. I ended up having to walk all the way back towards the river to find the Tower again… and by this time it was night. And the most beautiful time to see the Eiffel Tower.
My first time going to the Eiffel Tower was when it was aglow. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
(Turn your head, cut that picture is AWESOME)
As a special treat, at the top of every hour, the Eiffel Tower SPARKLES for 5 minutes. Legit, sparkles.
It was a mind blowing experience for me. On my first night in Paris, I made it there, without a map. I looked up with my baguette and my macarons, and couldn’t feel anything but blessed. God has done some incredible things in my life to get me here, and this was a dream come true.
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Wondering why my post is called the Metal Asaparagus? Because that’s what the people of Paris originally referred to the Eiffel Tower as before they started to like the structure. Thanks for tuning in until the end.
seekingmygreaterperhaps 