My last Wednesday in Paris and after 15 days, finally I met Eiffel’s greatest design and the icon of Paris.  My 9:30 reservation ticket in hand, I boarded the Metro and transferred to a bus which wound me through the morning commute to the west side of the Cite.  With under 5 minutes to spare, I hoofed it from the bus to the main attraction, didn’t take a wrong turn or get lost, and promptly got in line at the Green Marker (for pre-ticket purchasers).  In the overcast autumn morning light, it looked just like I remembered hanging on my bedroom wall back in 1980-81, only today it didn’t have a rosy glow added by the poster printer.  It was ironic that I travelled all the way from California on this trip of a lifetime to meet the city of my dreams and just barely had enough days to make the tower’s acquaintance.  Maybe it was my subconscious saying, “if I see it, then it may not be as I’ve remembered it all this time.”

But, it was better than my memory.

Autumn has always been my favorite season of the year and it was a perfect day to visit the Eiffel Tower.  No blazing summer sun beating down, no icy rain or snow, no packed crowds inhaling the perfumed air of spring.  I did this right, planning my trip in October.  The sky had patches of hazy, stretchy clouds that slowly, slowly moved with the cool breeze that pushed them by.  I waited in line and craned my neck back to take in the enormous size of the base, my eyes following up, up through the center of the tower to see as much as I could make out toward the “sommet.”  Within a few minutes the line was ushered to clear security checks then to board an elevator.  Yes, I’ve lived long enough on the planet to know that I don’t have a death wish need to walk to the top of the Eiffel Tower (or down, either).

Small but many elevators took turns transporting groups to the 1st floor/stop, then the 2nd floor/stop, then all the way to the top.  I stayed still for the direct flight up.  What a thrill to be on this 2-year construction project for France’s centennial celebration.  I circled the summit floor many times, snapping pictures of the Cite, a few selfies, and the information plaques that detailed the tower’s history.  After about an hour up top viewing the Cite map in different directions and recognizing much, I reluctantly decided to make my way back to ground level.  By then, many more visitors had arrived and I was glad to have been there at 9:30 a.m. when I could relish the experience in relative peace and quiet.

Back on the familiar #69 bus, I took it to Pont Neuf where I spied a convenient souvenir shop which hung in the window The Gift I wanted to get Philip.  Hopping off and running in, I picked up more goodies, probably my very last shopping opportunity before the week ends.  Back to Saint-Mande for a rest, I wanted to be fresh for the Diana Krall concert.

Leaving the house at 6:30 p.m., L’Olympia is in the 8th arrondissement, another destination that took some review to find just the right transfer points.  Arriving there and walking to it straight away, I went in and enjoyed a glass of champagne to toast my trip, my day, the night of music, the enchantment of it all.  A wonderful night of music, Diana gratefully and lovingly talked about her genuine affection for Paris where, 14 years ago, she recorded her fabulously popular live CD “in Paris.”  Of course, I have that one.  She performed at least 20 pieces (I lost count) including Joni Mitchell’s “A Case of You,” one of my favorites.  So glad I had the ticket to this performance.  I need to go to hear more music, absolutely.

Chilly coming into the damp night air out of the L’Olympia, I made it back to the house, fixed a hot cup of coffee and munched the last pain au chocolat.  Very satisfying…

Only 2 days left.