Ah, Paris in the Spring!
Ah, Paris in the spring! (Eiffel Tower; the Seine gently flowing by; sound of an accordion playing “La Vie en Rose”)
Talking with the folks over at Liz’s Open Mic last night brought back some fond memories of a trip Mrs. MZM and I took to Paris back in 2000. It’s something I had promised to myself we would do “one day”. (C’mon, admit it; don’t you all have a list like that?)
Now, how we ended up in Paris is actually an interesting, but completely different story (which I will no doubt inflict on relate to you another time); for the time being suffice it to say that we… found ourselves in Paris. Finally, the dream had come true!
We stayed at a small hotel (a decidedly non-tourist one) less than a mile from the Eiffel Tower, and after unpacking we still had the entire afternoon free. Since the weather was rather pleasant (it was early April, partly cloudy, and about 65F/18C), we decided to do the most obvious “tourist thing” first and set out for the Tower. Ah, a beautiful day and Paris in the springtime; it was every couple-in-love’s dream come true!
But as we neared it a storm front began to obscure the horizon, and by the time we reached the tower (a miracle – no lines!) it was completely overcast, while the temperature began to drop rapidly. As we waited on the first level (you have to change elevators at that point, and the line on this level was about 15 minutes long), it suddenly got REALLY cold! The wind was gusting like crazy, a light drizzle began, and I’m sure the temperature quickly dropped at least 20F/7C by the time we made it into the elevator for the trip to the observation deck.
Oh, did I mention the lightning? Uh, there was lightning. Now, you’re probably thinking, “I guess there was a lightning bolt or two.” Nope, what I mean is, “Bubba, there was LIGHTNING!!!” Once it started, it was like being next to the runway at a Christian Dior fashion show. I’m talkin’ multiple flashes, rockin’ thunder, shakin’ structure; the whole shootin’ match! It was really… terrifying overwhelming stupendous incredible something (you know, I am at a complete loss for the proper words… which in itself is a miracle!)
I clearly remember contemplating the ramifications of being inside the World’s Largest Lightning Rod, and during the Electrical Storm of the Century, no less.
(Allow me to add here that this is one of those times when it’s not good to be an engineer – I had to consciously stop myself from analyzing a) the electrical potential in the surrounding air mass, b) the relative conductivity of the gigantic surrounding metallic structure, and c) my pitifully frail body hanging on for dear life to said conductive structure – but I, er, digress.)
You know, sometimes life has a way of providing a little “something extra” when you least expect it; something that puts the je ne se quoi (a term that roughly translates to “that special something extra“) back into life. I mean, when you go to Paris (assuming you don’t go regularly, that is), you just know you’re going to gain some great memories.
But to be honest, this particular experience is something I would have avoided at all costs had I known about it ahead of time! After all, what idiot would purposely go directly into the middle of a huge electrical storm, anyway? (OK, put your hand down in the back, Mr. Franklin; it was a rhetorical question.)
Anyway, it was an amazing experience I never want to repeat again (at least, not on purpose!) – but I gotta say, I wouldn’t trade the memories for anything, either!
Ah, Paris in the spring! (Lighting bolts everywhere, deafening sound of continuous thunder, strong wind gusts, freezing rain, people running for cover…)
18 responses so far
Middle Zone Musings is a comfortable place to stop, have a cup of coffee, swap a few stories and share practical ideas for the real world. I don't ask for much, just a bit of your brain every now and then. Have a seat, take a load off, and relax...
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I was having a meal in a french restaurant when it started raining, gradually evolving into a thunder storm with so much rain that the water pressure lifted the manhole cover on the street outside the restaurant and others all over the town. Roads, being flooded, manholes wide open led to the roads being all closed and the story was all over the papers next day. Buying candles, we scurried for cover to the apartment and sat out the storm that night in the safety oof our room.
Donal, welcome to the wild weather club! Yep, it can add another layer of adventure to any travel experience. Glad you made it back!
hello Iam from iran Ilove paris and eiffel tower this site is good I hope to travel there someday
goodluck
marzie
Hi, Marzie! I sure hope you get to visit – it’s much, much MORE than seeing it by photos. Thanks for dropping by MZM, and I hope you come back!
Is the upper photo of the tower yours? I put a thumbnail access to it on my blog and don’t know who to credit for.
Cantueso, no, this is just a photo I found on the Internet; couldn’t find a credit, either. I appreciate your integrity, though, so you should remove my name from your “photographed by” note.
Well, more curiosity than integrity, see. It is a good photo. I would never have believed that there could be a good photo of such a tourist emblem. (I am not sure about this use of “emblem”).
Thanks for answering.
I can see what you mean – it’s the best one I ever found!
And if you’re interested, I think the word you’re looking for is “symbol”. If you’re not… then I didn’t say anything!
Cheers!
one time i was at france and i had a crepe. It taste like a pancake
Um… OK, Billy!
That photo was really cool. I’m doing a report on the eiffel tower in school, can I tell ur story to the class????
Of course!
hi Rob i went to France (Bordeux)for the first time in June and i loved it but i did not get the chance to visit the Eiffel Tower because they said it 800km away from Paris now this sunday 26 Oct 2008 i am going to Paris with my husband i am so looking forward to it.
it was great! i loved the eiffel tower! i got a great picture! france/paris was great!
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