Interestingly, like many now-famous landmarks, the Eiffel Tower was not always so beloved. When it was completed in 1889 for the Exposition Universelle (World’s Fair), many artists and intellectuals harshly criticized its bold, industrial design, calling it an eyesore that disfigured the skyline of Paris. Over time, however, public opinion shifted, and it gradually earned its place as a national treasure.
As we approached the tower, our plan was to take the elevator all the way up to the third and highest observation level at 296 meters. However, the crowds were overwhelming, and the estimated waiting time for the elevator was over an hour. The ladies in our group decided to opt out, leaving me to decide whether to go on alone.
Determined to make the most of the visit, I began the climb. If what I had read was correct, I ascended 347 steps to reach Level 1, and then another 674 steps to Level 2 - a total of 1,021 steps. The panoramic views from Level 2 were already breathtaking, offering sweeping vistas of the Parisian cityscape.
I briefly considered continuing to Level 3 by elevator, but the queue was just as long, and I debated whether to attempt the climb on foot. However, the prospect of tackling an additional 1,710 steps up - and then the same number back down - was simply too ambitious given the limited time we had allocated for the visit.
Even so, standing on the second level, looking out over the rooftops of Paris, I felt a sense of triumph. The Eiffel Tower, once dismissed as an ugly iron structure, now stood proudly as a beacon of French ingenuity and resilience - and I was grateful to experience it up close.
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