La Tour Eiffel
This was the view that greeted me when I arrived at my friend’s house on Bastille Night. She had invited us over to watch the Bastille Day fireworks from her sixth floor apartment overlooking the Eiffel Tower. As everyone walked in, they almost ignored all those who were present and gravitated towards the balcony, amazed at how lucky we all were to have such an amazing view on such a special evening.
We were also lucky not to have to battle with the crowds that were all making their way slowly along the river to Champs de Mars where the Tour Eiffel can be found.
Having spend all day in bed sick, I decided that taking the Métro would just be a nightmare so, I decided I would ride my trusty steed (my Vélib) there – it was only a 30 minute ride, this would be a breeze. A breeze it was and I was there in no time, only challenge, everyone else had had the same idea and I could not find an empty stand to park my bike. I checked the app and the nearest one was a 6 minute cycle away and had only one place free. I knew that this would have gone by the time I got there and it would probably be a 15 minute walk back, so I decided to be very French about the whole affair and take my bike into the apartment with me!
Of course, at the very point that I wish to enter the building, a party of French people decided to arrive to visit their friends. I could hear them muttering under their breath “c’est pas vrai” (it’s not true), oh yes, this is very true – we have a -27 minutes before the fireworks and there is no way that I am going to miss this.
So, I very generously said, please after you etc etc. mainly because I hadn’t been to this place before, I had no idea how big the lift was and I didn’t want them to see me struggling with my bike into the lift. I knew that they certainly had no intention of helping me. How delighted I was when all four of them managed to squeeze in, this sounded positive bells for me and I’m sure that I wouldn’t have an issue.
Eventually the lift came back down and I somehow managed to lift this thing upright, turn the handle and squeeze myself in, all whilst holding the lift door open. The power of Google has subsequently informed me that each bike weighs 50 pounds (or 22.5 kilograms if you prefer the metric system), so no wonder I was sweating profusely when I arrived on the sixth floor.
As I get out of the lift, I can hear much frivolity coming from inside the room and I also hear someone shouting that I must have brought my bike with me – well, let me just say that the entire room cracked up when they realised that was indeed the case. They thought that with the time from me buzzing in to making it to the door, I must have walked up the stairs with it (that dear reader, was Plan B – thank goodness, I did not have to activate that!).
My Vélib in the hallway!
Anyway, it was definitely me who was laughing towards the end of the evening as it is a feast or a famine with Vélibs at events such as this. I left the building with my bike and headed straight home, every bike stand that I passed was empty. So, although I had to pay a few extra Euros to pay my extended rental, it was definitely worth it.
“What about the fireworks?” I hear you cry. Well, they were absolutely incredible, they start at 11pm and go on for 30 minutes – yes, 30 minutes – the New Year’s Eve fireworks in London only last for 15! It was also a pleasure to watch them with a truly amazing group of women whom I have had the pleasure to spend many hours with over the past few weeks – a memory that I will treasure for ever. I did take a couple of videos, but I am far too embarrassed to post them here, so I’m going to cheat and attach a link from a much better camera angle.
Vive la République!
Couldn’t resist adding in one of my pictures at the end!
