Paris: I chickened out going up to top of Eiffel Tower. Did you do it?

[tinfoilinfor2005]

I went to the level just below it, but couldn't make it to the top. But then, it is my excuse to go back. Any brave souls? It really is much scarier than going up a sky scraper (been up on Empire State Building many times) but the elevator is enclosed.

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. Couldn't go to the top in '88 as it was being worked on

[tinfoilinfor2005]

3. Felt the same way when we went to the Statue of Liberty last year

even though I had been to the top in 1964. Back then, you could go anywhere in it, even though most of it was climbing. Didn't miss the height though, the older I got!

[candle_bright]

2. I've been to the top several times.

I've also been in the highest parts of the Leaning Tower of Pisa before the renovations during a rain and wind storm. That was kind of scary, lol.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

4. At some point you gotta be thinking,

"what goes up can come down" LOL

[6000eliot]

5. Went to the top

It's scarier on the ground with all of those "Beware of Pickpockets" signs.

[onager]

9. Been to the top of the Eiffel twice...

...and did something almost as neat in Cairo, Egypt recently. (I spent all of January working there.)

Our local guide took me on a tour of the Al-Qaytbay mosque, built in 1472:

http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/qaytbayfunerary.htm

We climbed to the top of the minaret so I could take pictures. It's an incredible view of Cairo. On a clear day, you can see all the way to the Giza pyramids from up there, though just barely.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

30. Thanks for the tour. Great Pics!

I've met several people over the years who have never traveled beyond their own city limits and never had the desire. I just don't get those folks.

[Nevernose]

6. Does this count?

[manly]

7. la tour eiffel

been to the top, at night. beautiful, and scary--you can feel the whole structure swaaay. distinctly unnerving.

[MominTN]

8. takes awhile

if it's crowded. but then you can meet the french men and let them practice their english. So much fun when you're young!

[tinfoilinfor2005]

11. ummm, not young, but I still had a great time in Paris...

but yes, can imagine that being in love there would be the ultimate...

[tinfoilinfor2005]

10. but so worth it, I bet...still kicking myself for chickening out

but then that means I have to go back!

[RagingInMiami]

12. Twice

It's windy, but beautiful from up there.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

15. Almost got to the top

but went with a friend who was afraid of heights. Bless her, she never told me that until she dug her nails into my arm going to the next to the top layer. But the view was gorgeous from there so I didn't press her to go farther. But someday...

[MrScorpio]

13. I spent four years in Europe and never went to Paris

I was too busy going to Amsterdam

[chickenscratching]

27. oooh

amsterdam! now there's a beautiful place to visit, the canals and the architecture.
i always wondered why my stoner friends are so jealous i got a chance to go there? :eyes:
hey,i don';t want to assume you go to amsterdam for the coffee shops, but if you do, did you visit the Gray Area?

[lavenderdiva]

14. nope! went to Paris for my honeymoon, but didn't feel any

desire whatsoever to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower. Went shopping (much more productive!) while hubby trekked to the top of the tower; he told me all about it when he came down, and that was good enough for me. I'm way too scared of heights!

[PassingFair]

16. Funny!

Went with my husband and kids. The day had been warm and we ugly Americans were in shorts. The night was FREEZING.
Six year old fell asleep on the next to highest level, and we just gave up and went back down. Had to carry the six year old all the way back to the hotel!

[Hieronymus]

17. I did go all the way on my last trip.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

18. Congrats!

And did it have to do with the Eiffel Tower?

[Sugar Smack]

19. Yes, and on the way up, an English child said-

"Don't worry, mum, nobody ever died from being in the Eiffel Tower." Somehow, that made me feel better. This was a family trip. The top of the building was shaking, and it scared me. I'd been enrolled at the Sorbonne 4 years earlier, and had chickened out then!!

;-)

[sbj405]

20. I went to the top

The creaking is a little unnerving, but the view is worth it. :-)

[China_cat]

21. Not a chance in hell.

I got dizzy looking up from underneath it.

[displacedtexan]

22. I've been up several times. Restaurants are great!

Heights and open elevators don't bother me at all, though.

[underpants]

23. Yep back in'92

in the middle of a lightning storm.

You couldn't fall off that thing if you tried. There is basically a steel cage surrounding the top level.

[tjwmason]

24. Yes, right to the top.

I've been there twice, first time was a school trip and we just went to the second level (and damn well walked it - grrs). Second time went to the top - no prob at all, I didn't bat an eyelid.

[Pepperbelly]

25. Went to the top of the St. Louis Arch and that ...

was scary. I have some issues with height anyway and those little capsules adjusting on the way up raised my blood pressure by magnitudes of three.

[radwriter0555]

26. The top is AMAZING... the feeling you get knowing you're atop one of the

monuments to modern civilization, and the amazing views over paris... are worth overcoming any imagined, self-imposed terror.

I can't wait to go back!

[chickenscratching]

28. i didn't

i'm not sure why not though. it was kind of surreal just looking up at it after seeing this monument for years in pictures and movies, kind of like meeting a celebrity.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

29. Bingo! You put it into the words I couldn't find...

it was like meeting a celebrity. I bet I took a over five hundred digital pics of my trip and I bet a hundred were of the tower. She just doesn't take a bad picture!

[Silverhair]

31. Went to the top in 1968.

Found the only place in all Paris (At that time.) that served real American hot dogs at the top of the tower. Got the giggles over the irony of it all. At the very peak of the most recognizable emblem of France, and finding American food.

I loved my time in Paris back then, and loved the Parisian food. I NEVER eat American food when I am abroad. I want their food, cooked their way.

[Canadian Socialist]

32. Not the tower

but did go to the top of the leaning tower in Pisa. Made me slightly nauseous, walking up sort of sideways.