True confession time…I am terribly afraid of heights. I love the Eiffel Tower as the iconic symbol of Paris as much as any Francophile, but the one and only time I went to the top, I cried the entire time. Never again, I swore back in 1984…and so far, I have enjoyed the twinkling of the tower from afar.
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| Via one of my favorite blogs, Views From My Kitchen Sink |
Last week, visiting the Eiffel Tower became even more daunting for acrophobes like me. After a $38 million refurbishment, the premier etage, has re-opened with a GLASS FLOOR! Yikes…not for me…but it does look pretty cool in the photos:
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If you remember this post, then you may remember that when we are in Hong Kong I am staying at the highest hotel in the world, the Ritz Carlton Hong Kong, which is on the 102-118th floors of the 8th tallest building in the world. Frankly, I am quite nervous about staying that high in the sky, but generally my fear is of heights in open spaces (including glass floors and elevators!)
Are you afraid of heights or would you relish walking out onto the glass floors at
the Eiffel Tower??
the Eiffel Tower??
Oh Sandy, I hear ya.
When I was in Paris last, I vowed I'd climb to the top. HA! I was barely in the middle of my climb on the first floor when I suddenly had this feeling that because I WAS THERE, the old monument was going to collapse..haaahaaaaaa – so we had to descend. DARN! I just couldn't do it! I get this strange feeling under me as if someone is going to take the rug out from under me!
I am going to Paris in May, and I will give it another go and just tell myself, "The Eiffel Tower is NOT going to crumble because you are on it!"
Welcome home!
On my first visit in 1969, they would not allow us to ascend to the top stage because of the winds. On my second visit 1995, I bee-lined my way up to top…it "was", however, a slow walk to the edge. So WORTH the view of Paris old and Paris new.
The glass floor is such a tribute to Mr Eiffel and the builders of that amazing structure.
…and speaking of views.
I have been told that Hong Kong is the most beautiful city in the world.
A room with a view from the Ritz?
A MUST SHARE, MY FRIEND!
~Lynne
w/L.
I agree Sandy, the pictures are lovely but never will I EVER step out onto that glass floor. Nor will I ever enter the glass box at the Sears (I can't bring myself to call it Willis) Tower nor the glass walkway at the Grand Canyon.
Have a wonderful trip and enjoy the beauty of the Ritz Carlton. (But don't get too close to the windows!)
Oh my goodness, Sandy! That will be quite a sight! The last time we were up in the Eiffel tower we heard it caught fire later that night. I saw it on the news when we arrived back in California. This does look gorgeous doesn't it? xx
Thank you very much but I will admire this from afar…OMG that is freaky!!!!!!!! Even looking at the pictures I felt my heart race, that is crazy. I like looking at it in pictures ONLY:)
Sandy,
I imagine that floor must be something else to see in person!
I went to "Mammoth Cave" years ago with my children and Father and that was a bit scary for me when we journeyed through the cave in tight quarters…..I guess we all have fears and phobias. I think tight spaces make me a little nervous but I can say we survived it!
pve
i cannot wait to see this in person! i am not afraid of eights but may be after walking on this glass floor.
Friend and I went to the top and we WALKED all the way down ..so I think I would have to go and see this for myself , but as for walking ON it , that is another matter. I am alright with heights now , but walking on glass? Not a big fan of it. that would be very scary to me.