Yes, that's how many stairs we took today during our ascent up the eiffel tower...and I didn't count them, they were conveniently counted for us on the steps as we toiled our way up. OK, I toiled but it wasn't as bad as I thought and I think I was more tired making our way to the top of the St. Vitus cathedral in Prague, which was half the stairs. We did have a 5 minute break at the first level as well, after the first 328 stairs. I think those numbers will be burned in my memory forever...So maybe the 3 weeks of constant walking has gotten me in better shape. Which is amazing considering all the rich, fried and fatty chocolatey foods we've had (sorry...). And my clothes are looser, which has been a nice and surprising bonus to our trip.
So as James said, the views from the top of the tower are amazing, even through the dirty air. I've been before on my last trip but I'm all about getting to the top of things. Granted, Alex and I took the elevator last time. I might have this time, but we got in the line for tickets that was SIGNIFICANTLY shorter, not realizing it was for the "stairs only" until we got close. I'm not going to lie, I probably wouldn't have even attempted it 3 weeks ago, so I'm proud of myself for doing it today without getting too terribly tired. I surprised myself!
I also didn't realize how scared of heights James was until I noticed on a lower level that he wasn't really going near the rails. I absolutely LOVE being up high so it was pretty cool for me. I did have a "moment" when we were in the elevator going to the tip top, when you feel like you're floating through the air and not supported since you can see straight out all around, and my ears started to pop. And yes, I did halfheartedly try to stick my head through the protective wiring at the topmost level. I wanted to see all the way down to the ground and I probably could have made it, but the underlying tone of James' voice when he said "please stop that now because I will not be able to help you if you get stuck" made me stop. And how embarrassing would that have been if I got my head stuck and couldn't get it back out?
The Rodin museum was interesting for me. I wasn't so into going as James since I'm not as familiar with his work. Like most folks, I knew "the thinker" and maybe not much else. It's a pretty garden and house, and they had a lot of his sculptures there so I was pretty pleased with the day.
Since we went to the top of the Eiffel Tower, I was feeling pretty crappy most of the day...headache, sore throat and runny nose. I was afraid I was getting sick. Now that we've been home, I'm starting to think it was just all the smog that was getting to me. That and the cottony pollen nastiness that is blowing around everywhere here the last couple days. I'm starting to miss the san francisco winds that blow all that bad air out of the city. We're pretty spoiled with the clean air. There's been a blanket of smog here since we came back from our trip to northern france. Alex told us last night it was basically a "spare the air day" and that it was recommended that people not "exert" themselves outside. We of course found out about it after spending 7-8 hours walking around in it. Probably not the healthiest...
Oh, as James mentioned, a plumber/handiman came by this evening to fix Alex' drain. Alex had mentioned someone was coming, just not that we would have to let him in or explain the problem. As James said, his French is nonexistent and mine is tres crappy. It was basically a comedy of errors, and after telling the man several times we were not the tenants and "just visitors" he still kept asking me quesstions in French I didn't get and I kept giving him blank looks or answering in Spanish hoping it was close enough. Bottom line, I ended up paying him 80 euro to basically snake the drain, which seems a bit rich to me. I didn't know enough to argue or complain, and he didn't look like he was leaving without being paid. Good thing I know where Alex lives and I of course trust him to pay me back! Oh, and James says he was a lot bigger than he is too and he wasn't gonna fight him for it...
Tomorrow is our last full day before heading back home. I'm DREADING the packing, and I'm sad to see our trek through Europe come to an end. We'll have to make the most of our last day! Be prepared James...be prepared...
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