The first glimpse of La Tour Eiffel

Not too long ago I shared a Bookish Quote from this book and now I am sharing a Paris quote because if our trip hadn't been cancelled we would have spent the day in Paris somewhere today.

This is how I feel every time I go to Sydney and see the first glimpse of Sydney Harbor from the train window, and it is exactly how I expected to feel as I arrived in Paris if we had of been able go on our planned trip. Or how I will feel when we do get to go to Paris, whenever that might be!

Between buildings, I saw snatches of it. The metal gleamed under the sunlight like the fingers of God were pointing to it, showing me the way. It was so much bigger than I'd  expected,its middle higher than the tallest buildings, as it stretched for the clouds. The Eiffel Tower, the heart and soul of Paris. a young woman standing near me inclined her head closer to the window: like Sophie, she was coiffed to perfection, her barely there make-up expertly applied. I felt unkempt in comparison and nervously ran a hand through my hair.
"First time in Paris?"
"Oui." I said, darting a glance back at the Eiffel Tower. It was magnificent. the way it stood proudly in the center of the city. I couldn't wait to see it up close. It would dwarf me - what an architectural marvel.
She gripped onto the handrail above, as we shimmied along with the rocking of the train. "Go to the Sacre Coeur for a  good view of the whole city, and then you 'll see how truly magnifique La Tour Eiffel is. Lots of steps to get there, but worth it." Her voice was almost musical, sensual. I didn't think I'd ever tire of the way French people spoke, whether it was in their native tongue or heavily accented English.
"Merci," I said, giving her a shy smile, knowing my accent must have sounded brash compared to hers. "There's so much to see and do. I can't wait." I fell back in to English, feeling less inhibited with my own language. Though I'd promised myself to try and speak as much French as possible, when it came time to speak, I was embarrassed; I sounded clunky and disjointed compared to the lovely lilt surrounding me. The words that feel from commuters' lips were almost poetic.
"Find the real Paris," she said, fluttering her hand towards the window. "Away from the tourist spots. Look for the forgotten avenues. They're full of hidden gems." And with that she spun on her heel, leaving me with only the citrusy scent of her perfume.