The Eiffel Tower on a foggy night:

Some things in Paris seemed smaller than life.  The Mona Lisa certainly did, behind a cage of glass, four guards stationed around her, tourists cordoned off at a safe distance.  Even the Eiffel Tower seemed squatter than I had imagined, fatter and less slender.  Its metal bars seemed to scream utility rather than elegance.  Still, I had to ascend the tower, as a quintessential part of the Parisian experience.  The top was closed off due to maintenance, but according to our guide, Vincent, the deuxième étage is as good as the view gets anyway.  

Views from the second level, looking up and looking out:

Armed gendarmes loitered beneath the legs of the tower.  One side had a long line winding around, while another was completely empty.  Pfft, I thought, this is a no-brainer, and headed to the empty side, which turned out to be the entrance for those walking up, whereas the other leg was for those taking the elevator.  Telling myself that it was all about the experience, I walked up the 668 steps to the second level (if you think 668 is not very many steps, believe me, you’re wrong). 

Tower during the day:

Beyond the open balcony, the view was magical, with all of Paris lying supine at my feet.  In the distance, I could see the Louvre, and the shining dome of the Invalides, and even Sacré-Coeur on far-off Montmartre.  Suddenly, Paris was no longer smaller than life.  It sprang open in all its glory, and its marvels finally sank into me. 

K.B.