Everyone is familiar with the iconic Eiffel Tower. It is one of the most photographed manmade structures in the world. The view from the top is amazing, offering great glimpses of one of the world's great cities. The history of the tower is equally compelling - how it was purpose built for one event (and supposed to be taken down in 20 years); it was the tallest structure in the world for 40 years and Eiffel had his own personal apartment in the top of the tower, that he and others used for a great many scientific experiments.
All of these are awe inspiring or intriguing facts, but what made it all more real for me when I visited a few years ago, was bypassing the elevators and using the stairs. It was then that I more fully appreciated the engineering genius and sheer inventiveness of the architect that designed it and the men and women that built it.
Great things often come at great expense and with great effort. Its easy to miss noticing if we always take the elevator. In this day of "instant everything", its good to take the stairs sometimes.
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