Paris vs the World

  Tokyo Tower stands before me in all her red and white glory. Yet even after the facts are digested, the impression is just “meh”. It’s constantly compared to the Eiffel Tower. Now bear in mind that it was built in the late 1950’s, over 70 years after the original so the comparisons are a bit ridiculous. It’s taller, yes, but only by 10 feet! Built quicker, 18 v 26 months. Oooh. It’s even lighter and the steel is probably stronger too. I would hope so after 70 years of technological progress. And the result is a resounding, blah. It really is. 

  It’s in a nondescript neighborhood, surrounded by other tall buildings which hide it from view upon approach. Then going up a regular elevator, the 1st level, at just under 500 feet, is an enclosed observation level where you spend your time looking at people in the neighboring office towers, eating at their desks or clacking away at their computers. It’s overrated and you’d be better served spending time elsewhere. 

  Now the original Eiffel Tower is impressive on so many levels. It’s all open space. You’re buffeted by the winds; you’re one with the elements and all of your senses are attacked at the same time. The vertigo of the view up, down, left, right. The sound of the whistling wind. The smell of chestnuts roasting wafting up from the streets below, if you happen to be in Paris in the fall or winter. The touch of cold cold steel that was formed to make this magnificent edifice. Taste. Hmm. Well, I wouldn’t recommend licking the tower…that’s just nasty!

  The location of the Eiffel Tower also plays into its grandiosity. One side is a massive park and the other is the Seine River. The other two sides are apartment buildings, at least 100 yards away. The tower can be seen from everywhere in the city. There’s no escaping it. With all of the buildings in Paris capped at 70 feet, the remaining 900 feet of the tower hovers high above. Whether at the 1st level or the top, the views are astounding, all of Paris before you, at your feet, literally.

  Now while we’re on the subject of Paris, I’m often asked throughout my travels about the countries I’ve been to. And these 3 questions continually come up:

Most beautiful country? 

 This is simply too hard to answer. So many pluses and minuses to each place that they usually cancel each other out.

Favorite country? 

 This too is very hard to answer. The countries tend to move up and down my lists per my moods and times of visits.

Most beautiful city?  

 Now this is the one that I can truly answer and it’s Paris. Hands down, the most beautiful. 

My argument is as follows; the city was designed. It was all haphazard as all of the other capitals to Europe until the mid 1800’s when Baron Haussmann completely redesigned and rebuilt Paris. It took about 20 years but when it was all over, the result was staggering. 

  Grand tree-lined boulevards with wide sidewalks and 6-story buildings, all built in the same style. This gives a uniformity that creates a harmony that doesn’t exist in other cities. The closest would be Washington D.C. because it, too, was designed from the outset. 

  There are also the perspectives that he created at certain spots in the city. The most famous one is the view from the Louvre through l’Arc du Carrousel, down Les Champs-Elysées, through l’Arc de Triomphe all the way to l’Arche de la Défense. It’s a magnificent view. You don’t have this in London or Berlin or even Rome. Nice cities all, but they ain’t Paris! 

  So I challenge anyone to come up with a more beautiful city. Now please note, I’m only talking about the physical structures and design of a city, NOT its people. 

  Do NOT get me started on “The Freinch”!!!!