Steel and Lace - The Eiffel Tower

After a hell of a night partying nothing better than a good nights rest. 
The plan for today was none other than visiting the Eiffel Tower - I was so excited and anxious to be standing in front of one of the world's seven wonders that I could barely think much that morning. 
After a quick breakfast and bundling up as best I could we were on our way. Since we left quite late we decided that our plan for the day would be Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and head straight to Cité de la Musique to meet up with one of Richi's Italian friends for a music concert. Because we were pressed for time the option of coming back home before going to the concert was null so I decided against taking my professional camera (I had no idea how shows were in France, but imagining they were similar to the live music concerts I had been to in Brazil the last thing I wanted was for the camera to get smashed or robbed). 
Until today I regret such decision as I missed out big time on taking pictures of such an first time happening. Richi did take his camera but being totally honest there is just no comparison (not to say that I wasn't ever able to get those pictures and all I have are some bad quality ones I downloaded from his Facebook). I also tried getting some taken with my iPhone but these are also real bad resolution. 
Despite the bad decision in going "camera-less" the experience in itself felt as if I were waking up in a dream. The subway doors opened and we just followed the gushing crowd (which seemed to all be going in the same direction). Climbing up the steps into fresh air, less than 300 meters walk and we had arrived at the Trocadero.
It was there and here was I - only me and it. That huge, gorgeous tower looming over top, staring me straight in the eyes.
The feelings were indescribable and just by looking at the faces of those around me I knew the feeling was mutual.
Fairy tale dream come true - I stopped by and watched, and gazed, and deep inside I knew I was on top of the world just by standing face to face with that breath-taking tower. A tower made of steel and lace. A monument which was so much more than what the eye could see.
In front of it couples with dreamy eyes, teenagers going wild, lone travelers and so many lovers fulfilling their romantic dream. And of course cameras - loads of them - everywhere. Clicking incessantly, non stop, at everything and everywhere.
The most amazing thing about being in the Trocadero is the wave of feelings that surrounds each square meter of it. Some people shed tears of gratefulness, others are just jumping up and down for joy, some youngsters are holding hands and dancing around in merriment while just opposite a Chinese woman stands still in awe barely being able to breathe. There is even a groom and bride in full attire posing for pictures with their family and what it seems to be best men and bridesmaids - the whole area is filled in this positive and vibrant static which automatically penetrates you as well and you can't help but feel like as if you are in the middle of a dream. 
After a few minutes of silence and just grinning to one another me and Richi joined all the many other tourists in taking pictures, walking around and admiring the world's largest romantic symbol. 
One of the reasons I love the view from the Trocadero so much is because of the grandeur the whole surrounding inspires. You get not only to see the tower looming ahead but the gardens, architecture, centerpiece fountain, carousels, vendors stalls and all the hustle and bustle in between them. 
Today I have been to the Trocadero over five times but every single time I get the same impression: there is nowhere better to view the main site in Paris. 
As mentioned above we were pressed for time and so being skipped entering the humongous line to go up the Eiffel Tower - that would just have to wait for another day. 
And now for another typical tourist story. We decided to make our way towards the Arc de Triomphe, opened up our subway map, located the first "Arc" that we saw and took the first subway that would take us to it. After exchanging subways twice (all part of getting around in Paris subway stations) we finally arrive the "Grande Arc" (as was written in the map). We walk out of the subway station and are faced with a huge marble Arc looming over both of us.
- This isn't it. Richi says
- No it sure isn't, but it can't be that far as well. Let me ask someone how to get there.
To our total shock the two young girls we asked started cracking up in our faces as they told us we were at the wrong arc - instead walking less than a kilometer from the Eiffel Tower to the Champs Elysees where the Arc de Triomphe is situated we took a huge trip all the way to the other side of the city and were now at none other but the Grande Arche de La Défense. 
We both had a great big laugh as well at our tourist stupidity but I knew Richi felt bad as he had wanted so badly to see the Arc de Triomphe and the next day he was making his way back to Germany in the morning and there would be no time to go anywhere. Now for me it was a definite plus as I still had quite a few days left in Paris and was sure I would get to see it sooner or later  - and so getting to know the Arche de la Défense was something new and unexpected.
A little bit of history on how the Arc came to be: A great national design competition was launched in 1982 as the initiative of French president François Mitterrand. Danish architect Johann Otto von Spreckelsen (1929–1987) and Danish engineer Erik Reitzel (the Danes are just everywhere, hah!)  designed the winning entry to be a 20th-century version of the Arc de Triomphe: a monument to humanity and humanitarian ideals rather than military victories. The construction of the monument began in 1985 and was completed in 1989. From what I later discovered is that in the past there was a restaurant, computer museum and people could go up to the viewing deck but because of an elevator accident (in which no one was injured) they closed down all the facilities and now the public can't go up anymore. A pity as the monument is as tall as the Eiffel Tower so my guess is the view must be magnificent!
My favorite part of visiting La Défense was the Christmas market which was going on right beneath the Grande Arche. Decorated like a cozy Christmas village with wooden stalls which stand welcoming vendors glad to show you their many products. It's quite spacey so it doesn't feel so crowded and not being situated near the main sightseeing attractions decreases the number of tourists considerably which made it feel less commercial than when I went to the Christmas Market in the Champs Elysees (but which I still loved nonetheless). 
The cool air,the lights lights lit up, the hustle and bustle in the kiosks, the goods made from all over the world and the holiday decorations and greenery simply made it in a Christmas Wonderland. 
After walking around we entered a food stall for a late lunch/early dinner and I got to experience the famous vin chaud (hot wine with spices) and bread raclette which is just pure hot cheesy goodness that melts into your mouth. Ahhh, to die for!!!
Next stop was Cité de la Musique - at Hoche station and right next to Tom's place. By now Richi was becoming a pro in how to get around using the subway station while I was yet still pretty much in the dark. But every time we were in a tight spot or not quite sure what way to go Richi would prod on towards asking someone directions in French - well, at least in that I was better than him :P
As we arrived a few minutes early we entered a café to warm up as the temperature outside was at this time too cold for my poor Brazilian body who was not in the least used to the low degrees. One thing I love about many cafes in Paris are:
- water is always for free. As long as you order at least one item from the menu you can always ask for tap water (which is totally safe to drink) and won't have to pay for it.
- when you order tea it isn't only a cup of tea but yes a little kettle of warm water in which you can fill up to two or even three cups for a nice, long, warm drink.
Warm and ready we went to meet up with three lovely Italian ladies for a night of party and Rock and Roll - will describe it all in the next post.