Cultural Awareness in Paris: A New Perspective on the Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is more than a romantic landmark rising high above the modest Parisian skyline. It offers a much greater gift than a brilliantly illuminated, dazzling steel fixture that when mentioned recalls thoughts of chic cafés and Left Bank marvels. No, la Tour Eiffel is alive and bustling with a wide array of people so unique that in no other place can one see the world brought together in such a powerful way.

Upon handing my ticket to the queue director and rushing into a crowded lift with my friends, I was overcome with fascination as I completely disregarded the miraculous situation of leaving the ground to view Paris in its evening glory. Instead, I was astonished to discover the variety of cultures gathered in the elevator.

A Japanese family spoke excitedly as they gazed at the French twilight. Two nuns murmured quietly to each other, trapped between three colorful Scotsmen. A group of Californians mingled with us, sharing their travel experiences.

As we reached the first level of the Eiffel Tower, we piled out of the car and rushed to the railings, eager to be transfixed by the City of Lights as the sun continued its decent. During this time, my friend and I became separated from the rest of our group. We urgently began to describe our companions to fellow travelers in French, but the attempt was only a vain effort to be reunited with them. To our surprise, the other tourists also stumbled through the French language. Most eventually even reverted to English.

Through chance, we found with our friends among the crowd. We entered into another line and exchanged greetings with a middle-aged couple from Manchester, England who were on their honeymoon. Neither had been married previously, but always envisioned Paris as the greatest, most captivating city in the world.