Going Up to Say Goodbye

Far from the architectural significance of the Eiffel tower, the visit of the TV tower still provides the visitors great vistas of the city center. Nevertheless, with its 218 m of height, it is the highest tower in Latin America. Standing in the center of the Plano Piloto in between the two avenues of Monumental Axis, it is over looking a set of water cascades, just a bit up from the Rodoviaria. It is possible to reach by elevator the 75 m high observation deck from which the Three Power Square at the end of the Monumental Axis can be seen.
In a very strange set of weather circumstances, we were forced to hide from the rain at the bottom of the TV tower. We eventually had to turn around, the deck being open to the elements, and therefore not open during or right after showers. At the base of the tower, there is a craft fair where my dad and June spent their last dinheiros in a last-minute shopping spree.
Despite its touristic importance, like many other architectural icons in the city, the grounds and the surroundings of the buildings are poorly maintained, with very little elements to facilitate, or even encourage visitors. Under the tower, the access to the elevator does not have anything to make this experience pleasant or memorable; the ground is covered with a dirty cracked concrete, the base is half boarded up, half covered with graffitis, and the touristic office that sells city tours is hidden away under a pillar, almost as if it is illegal. The rain only aggravated this impression that we were not welcomed. Brasilia has a long way to go before really being the touristic and cultural center it aspires to.

We eventually returned, with better weather. Our final touristic visit was more successful, leaving a better impression of the city, once seen from high up. Yet our best moments were more the casual family times, around a good meal or while playing some games with the kids.