This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UWM chapter.
This past summer I was fortunate enough to be able to gallivant across Europe and spend some time in Paris, France, where I studied abroad. It was debatably, one of the best summers of my life. I peaked out my plane window to get a glimpse of the Eiffel tower, only to be even more impressed when I stood under it for the first time. I was amazed to learn that this giant piece of metal was designed by an engineer and not an architect, and was supposed to be taken 20 years after it was built.
But the thing that amazed me most about the Eiffel tower was what I felt and experienced while I was there.
- There are vendors there trying to sell things to you nonstop: Ah yes, the illegal vendors that harass you until you buy at least one bottle of champagne.
- If you forgot champagne, you can easily buy some from said vendors: And if you’re lucky, the police will raid the park and the vendors will throw their bottles of champagne in the nearest bushes. Easter egg hunts ended up being great practice for that moment!
- The Eiffel tower sparkles every hour on the hour for ten minutes starting at sunset: It is not overrated. It is beautiful.
- You will probably think about your first love or your boyfriend, or literally anybody you could miss: Something about laying out on the lawn surrounded by beautiful couples really brings out some inner feelings.
- You will be tempted to spend $20 to go to the top of the Eiffel: I heard the view is great, but I saved my money for other fun Parisian things. And the line was insane.
- You will see someone from practically all over the world there: I’ve never been in a crowd more diverse, yet so peaceful at the same time.
- People are really willing to take your picture for you: And some strangers you will want to ask if they can tag along the whole trip because they are instagram pros.
- You will get photo bombed: And it will make you crabby.
- You will lose track of time: We managed to spend a good three hours sitting on grass. And didn’t get bored.
- The grass might give you a rash: But that’s only if you’re like me and breakout from everything.
But nevertheless, I spent even more evenings with my friends admiring the Eiffel Tower.