old family blog

Eiffel Tower

Today we’ve decided hit the Eiffel Tower. Come on, we’re tourists whether we like it or not. Like every day we made our way by foot. The only Taxis we have take so far was from the Airport (there is no metro at CDG) and the car took from the Louvre after the shows. I couldn’t be seen walking home after the shows; I had to take a Mercedes like the rest of the Fashion Crowd. LOL – Actually I was really tired after the show. I did a lot of walking and running that morning.

On the walk over we walked through the Jardin Toulles next the Louvre. And then made our way over to the Grand Palais in hopes to go in and see the Gustov Klimtt exhibit. Unfortunately another new exhibit was premiering that day and we could not gain entry. The Grand Palais re-opened after several years of restoration. Last week Yves St, Laurent showed there for the first time in over 10 years.

We finally made it over to the Eiffel tower. It was just turning to early evening so dusk was starting to fall. We bought our tickets like everyone else and hopped the elevator like everyone else. When I called my mother the next day and told her we had gone to the tower she asked if we climbed the stairs like all the other nut jobs!!!!! I said no way – we’ve been walking non-stop everywhere since we’ve landed. Now let me just put this into perspective for you, its 395 steps to the first level, its 385 steps to the second level and then its 675 steps to the top level – which we wanted to go to. So needless to say we opted to come out alive on this trek.

Now first I thought the Eiffel Tower would have been bigger. But then again to a kid – it would be HUGE!!!!! We made it to the top and it was great up there. Several couples were making out and kissing. I think it’s all the oxygen you get up there that high! LOL – I was proud of Clem, he actually walked all the way to the edge and looked over after I had to point out some roof garden. Clem is not a big fan of heights! But he did it and did look too freaked out.

After we got back down from the Top of the Eiffel Tower we headed back over to the Right bank. As we walked along the Siene we came across a intersection where there was heavy traffic. In the middle and to the side is a statue of a gold torch. Further inspection showed it was a gift from French American group in the states promoting relations with France. What was interesting was people were leaving notes on the monument, protesting bush and Chirac.

Next to the monument was a stonewall where people or tourists were writing notes on the stone. Several attempts had been made to remove the writings but they keep coming back. On the other side of the wall was an overlook to an entrance of a tunnel. Well in 2 seconds I saw the name Diana and bingo realized that his was infamous tunnel where Diana and Dodi were killed. I took several shots of the written notes. Then I realized we were on the west side of the tunnel. But the Ritz Carlton, where Diana was staying was East of the Eastside. So that means people were writing on the wrong entrance. We tried to get over to the east entrance to see if there was writing but the intersection was too crazy.

We then stopped on Avenue George V for some Onion Soup. Some really great Onion Soup. We were at an American/English café and there was practically no one there. At first we thought it was because of Bush/Blair but then we looked at our watches and it was only 630pm. So we were sitting to early for it to be busy. The Onion soup was amazing, both Clem and I devoured it within minutes.

Right next door to the restaurant, I remembered the Atelier for Hubert d’ Givenchy. (Probably one of the greatest designer/couturier in history.) Most people remember him for his friendship and collaboration with his muse Audrey Hepburn. All Mrs. Hepburn wore was Givenchy, both on film and off. I got a shot of the building but not a good one at all. I have to go back during the daytime.

posted by turlie @ 2:38 AM