Skating rink opens halfway up the Eiffel Tower

[kskiska]

Music, lights, a great view of Paris and a strange whiff of vanilla await those bold enough to take advantage of the capital's latest draw: a 200 square metre ice rink suspended 57m (190ft) beneath the Eiffel Tower.

"It's absolutely and perfectly safe," a spokeswoman for the SNTE, which runs France's most famous monument, said yesterday as the rink opened to the public.

"It's a fabulously different experience and a fine way to admire the city. I promise."

The €150,000 (£100,000) structure, which will stay until January 23, was hoisted into place by crane last week. Its 15cm-thick ice base, lit from beneath by 100 low-temperature LED lights and perfumed with a subtle blend of vanilla and pine, was then created by pouring 30 tonnes of water onto 5,000 metres of refrigerated pipes.

more…
http://www.guardian.co.uk/france/story/0,11882,1371393,00.html

[Us vs Them]

1. "I promise!" haha.

Is it just me or does that sound like a prelude to disaster?

[unblock]

2. the devil's in the numbers, but

it sounds perfectly safe. the eiffel tower is basically just the structural skeleton without the dead weight that a building's structure normally supports. in other words, the eiffel tower could easily support FAR more weight than it currently does.

[radar]

3. But don't fall down

It's a looooong drop

[tainted_chimp]

4. Ooof! That sounds like so much fun!

i wanna go! :bounce:

[Liberty Belle]

5. Wish I could take my daughter.

She's a competitive figure skater, now wanting to get into back into pair skate. Talented and a total daredevil--definitely a dangerous combination.

[tainted_chimp]

6. Ohh...what an unforgettable experience

that would be for her.

[xchrom]

7. god -- i love paris!

and here's another reason:loveya: