Paris: Quatrième Partie

The chase between May Day and James Bond in A View to a Kill. Lois Lane hiding under the elevator in Superman II. The premiere target of the nanobots in the first G.I. Joe movie. All these transpired in one of France's best-known landmarks: the Eiffel Tower. Over the years, the motion picture industry has utilized this iconic structure in various ways and in different genres, yielding distinct results. There's just something about this tower that brings filmmakers back to its beauty and grandeur.

Having said that -- and having seen Gustave Eiffel's masterpiece in person -- I can conclusively say that there is an awe-inspiring, enticing and captivating quality to this Parisian landmark that even the most artful depictions could never convey.

As I made my way down the stairs of the Palais de Chaillot and onto the greens of the Trocadéro Gardens, the physical and figurative enormity of the Eiffel Tower became more and more obvious. All the years of wishing, hoping and dreaming about this place was now reaching the apex of fulfillment.

There were several other tourists taking in the view and taking pictures, too. I remember seeing some Korean ladies taking selfies with the tower. I remember a guy of Eastern European descent offering to take pictures of me with my phone (which I declined because I had a selfie stick and could better frame my shots with it). I remember a Spanish señorita who asked if I could snap a shot of her against the metal masterpiece (afterwards I would ask her to return the favor). There was sort of a gathering of nations that day at the area surrounding the Eiffel Tower, which enriched the whole experience for me. 

So, there I was; finally getting acquainted with my dream destination like I was meeting a lifelong pen pal for the very first time. And as with actual first meetings with long distance friends, there were certain things about the Eiffel Tower that felt very familiar: its shape, its design, the way it sits between two verdant parks. On the other hand, some things felt very new (obviously) and quite enthralling: its actual size, the many souvenir shops at its base, the fact that it sits in front of the river Seine. There was quite a lot take in that afternoon... and (as of this writing) a lot to recall.

... to be continued ...