#TravelTuesday Eiffel Tower

Finishing the pictures from our recent trip to Paris, I thought I would end with a piece of architecture that universally symbolizes France, and especially Paris. This structure is adored by visitors and shunned, like an ostentatious painting hung in the guest bedroom, by Parisians. Debate over whether or not the tower is a work of art, or a gaudy iron monstrosity, has gone on for decades.

Originally the tower was built for the 1889 World’s Fair by the engineer Gustave Eiffel. Its permit was for twenty years, after which it was to be gifted to the city and dismantled. During the years it stood, it became an integral part of the growth of broadcasting. Antennas worked very well high up on the tower. I could also imagine that it brought in quite a pretty penny seeing how popular it had become. Over 200 million people have visited the Eiffel Tower, and that milestone was set back in 2002. Obviously, since it is such a tall building, you can see it from almost anywhere in the city of Paris. But to experience it like so many people have, you have to see it up close.

From the base one feels like an ant. I remember looking around to make sure I wasn’t shrinking, and was just as tall as the other tourists, so I could regain my sense of scale. Strangely though, just as the giant erector set seems massive, it also gives the appearance of fragility because of all the space between the giant girders. If you visit Paris, spend an afternoon there if you want to ascend it, or climb to one of the bottom tires for a meal, but I think what makes Paris great is elsewhere. It’s in the art, the culture, the food, the very style of Paris. Paris means so much to the world in so many ways. Enjoy an adventure in France’s capital and savor the memories for years, but don’t think you’ve seen Paris because you took a picture of the Eiffel Tower.

​The Eiffle Tower at night from the Seine River

Nikon D800 Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 32mm f/3.8 ISO 3200 1/60 sec

After Dark

Cities change at night. Sometimes for the worse, but sometimes for the better. Often you have to search for the highlights. Paris comes alive at night with lights. The Eiffel Tower flashes with glittering golden lights each hour and some of the other wonders of Paris shine when the Sun goes down. We only made it out around the city once after dark to do some photography work. The other evenings fine cuisine and French wine made it impossible to think about anything except hailing a taxi without demonstrating how tasty that wine was after a third or fourth glass.

Obviously being safe when you’re traveling is of primary importance, but if you can, get out and explore your temporary home after dusk. Some of the wonders seen during the day are quite beautiful and very different after dark.

Why Travel?

I get asked this question more than you would think. Some friends of mine don’t travel farther than the Jersey Shore for a week or two every summer. Some have never left our home state of Pennsylvania. Some expound excuses: too expensive, too far, too much hassle and my favorite “I don’t want to go anywhere else, I have everything I need right here.” My response to this last excuse is usually something like “Being content and being fulfilled are very different things.” But this usually falls on deaf ears. So let me make my case here.

Travel because the world is full of mystery, because the Earth has glorious secrets shrouded from the multitudes. Travel for the people you would never meet at home. Soak in their ideas, culture, and values. People from other cultures have passions about things we take for granted. I have learned the value of many things I thought were insubstantial in this world while I was traveling. Travel for the feeling of independence. It’s a great feeling when you’ve accomplished a great task, be that climbing in the Rockies or living for a week in a country where you don’t speak the language. Travel for the food. Taste the complexity of French wine, or the sweet nectar of Canadian maple syrup, or savor a three hour meal where each course is more delectable than the last. Travel for the sights. There is only one Grand Canyon, only one Niagara Falls, only one Tower Bridge, Statue of Liberty (well actually there are three, but not like the one in New York), Coliseum, Eiffel Tower, San Francisco Bridge, Blarney Stone, the list goes on and on. Travel for an event like the running of the bulls, or a rocket launch, the World Series, a formula one race, a Broadway play, or a breakfast with the Disney Princesses.

I agree some travel is very expensive, but sometimes it can be very economical. Plan something in advance, even if it’s that trip to the beach. Try a different beach that is supposed to be amazing. Try a beach in a different state, or even a different continent. Start small, and start local. I can say that because for me travel is more about the experience than the length of the plane ride. A half hour car ride to a festival can be very inspiring if you plan the journey, which is a lot of fun in itself.

Why travel? My best answer, because we’re only here once. Live life and soak up a world full of experiences, here, there and everywhere. Carpe Diem - Seize the day

Nikon D800 Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 65mm f/7.1 ISO 100 1/500 sec