This morning we went to Versailles. I wasn't exactly incredibly enthusiastic about the palace, but it turned out to be incredible. I was more excited for the gardens, but it turns out I like English gardens better (fewer hedged bushes). It was an amazing experience, though. I'm glad we went.
Fun story about Versailles, though: I was trying to speak French (because the French generally like it better when you're at least attempting to use their language to communicate with them. Go figure), but there were a few times where I was struggling enough that the employees switched to English to make it easier. By the time we were purchasing tickets for the gardens, my brain was more awake, and I was able to communicate again. I was still a bit nervous about my French, though, because the morning had been a bit rough.
After purchasing my ticket (and nearly forgetting it at the window), I got in line to enter the gardens. The man at the gate greeted me, I said "Bonjour!" back, and he just looked at me for a while. My first thought was that there was something wrong with my French, my second that there was something wrong with my ticket, but then he nodded at me to go through. I thanked him and went on my way.
Amy was right behind me, and she asked me what the guy had said to me before letting me in. I told her that our conversation literally had consisted of a hello, a thank you, and a bit of an awkward silence. Amy told me the rest of the story:
The man asked her, "Is that your friend?" Amy responded that I was, and he said, "She is so beautiful!" So that was sweet. Compliments are always nice to hear.
While we were waiting in the forever-long line to get into the palace, we made friends with a man from Florida just in front of us. He was friendly and so excited about Europe. He gave us lots of tips about must-see places and restaurants. He also took our picture. I was grateful for his advice and his kindness. I love Paris so much, but it does make me realize how much I love the English language. Any time I overhear English (especially American English) I feel like I've found a bit of home. The French conversations I can hear from my open hotel window make for a lovely ambiance, though.
We spent several hours in Versailles, and finally Mary and I were more than ready to head back to Paris. I fell asleep on the train ride back, and if Amy hadn't woken me I would have woken up in who-knows-where. A few girls in the group really wanted to see the Opera House (the one from Phantom of the Opera) and so we headed over there. I wasn't originally going to go because I was hungry and tired, but then I realized that I'm in Paris and that I'll only be here for a couple more days. So I basically need to do as much as I can here while I can. So I decided last-minute to go.
We were able to take pictures of the outside, but we had just missed the time frame for going inside. I'm sure it's beautiful, but I'm not heartbroken that we didn't make it in. Also, I was really hungry so. . . That made for a bit of a grumpy Cambry.
We sat and deliberated what we were going to be doing next, and finally decided to get food. We managed to get on a road that consisted primarily of clothing and department stores, and very few food venues. Mary found a food court, but it was super expensive. They had Pret a Manger (a restaurant that can be found all over London), but I don't really like it so, Mary and I left to find another place, and the other girls ate at Pret.
We wandered for a bit, and then we found this amazing bakery. We got sandwiches and pain au chocolat and I about died. They were so.good. I love French food! (Have I said that already? Probably. But it's still true).
After dinner it got a lot easier to be excited about the city again. Mary and I purchased strawberries and cherries together and they were delicious. I think British strawberries are still better, but the cherries were to die for. We ate the cherries in a park near the Champs Elysees. We sat and chatted for a while and I smiled the whole time.
A little before eight, we headed down the Champs Elysees towards the Arc de Triomphe. We decided to window shop (and utilize the bathrooms in McDonalds). We ended up at the base of the Arc at a little after eight-thirty. We went up to the top and spent a few hours there. We didn't think we'd want to, but then we sat in a circle and swapped stories, laughed, and tried to be quiet. It was so delightful. That wasn't exactly the plan, but we wanted to be there for sunset, and then we decided to stay until the lights turned on. It was beautiful; I watched the tower change from iron, to copper, to gold. It was one of the most magical things, and I took way too many pictures of the same thing (the Eiffel Tower) at the same angle in similar lighting, but I loved it so much.
The sun didn't set until ten, so it stayed light for quite some time, but, probably because it was so light still, I didn't feel too incredibly tired (though my legs were shaking and my body was crying at me).
We headed back a bit after ten, and made it through the Metro without any mishaps (which is sort of a big deal. The Tube in London is a lot easier to grasp). We have a creperie right near our hotel, and all the girls wanted to go there before making their way back to the hotel. I was too tired by this point (I'm a morning person, and everyone else is a night owl), so I headed back to the hotel.
My feet are throbbing, my eyes don't want to stay open, and I'm as happy as can be. Paris is a good place.
The gates to Versailles
Taken by our friend from Florida. Me, Mary, and Amy
Me in front of Versailles.
I love it when I can understand the writing on the wall. Especially when that writing is in French.
These were on display in the palace. I think they used to be part of a fountain. They were included in the Dauphin's garden, which was modeled after Aesop's fables. These were made entirely out of lead. Don't drink the water, right?
Okay, so this picture doesn't even begin to capture how crowded it was. We happened to be there when all of Asia was there. so the whole place smelled like kimchee, and was crowded beyond belief. Also, maybe this is an incorrect observation, but it seems like Asian tourists have a lot smaller of a personal space bubble. So they're totally fine pushing, shoving, and cutting in front of other people. Maybe that's just the people I interacted with today, though.
The ceilings were incredible. Versailles is beautiful, but there was a bit too much gold everywhere for my personal taste.
The Hall of Mirrors
Marie Antoinette's room, I believe
There was so much pretty flooring.
In the courtyard: there was this little girl dancing around and she was so cute. I was actually trying to take a picture of the tiling, but she showed up so, bonus!
Can we just talk about this bed and how terrifying it would be to sleep on it?
I found the library.
The back of Versailles
There were these cool mirrors right outside the palace in the gardens that showed a lot more than I could get in the lens of my camera.
The gardens that stretched on for miles
Amy in the gardens
And Mary. She lugged that camera around all day! I was so impressed.
Miriam and her ice cream
A statue of Maddie. It was a striking resemblance.
The gardens at the estates which were a ways from the palace. I think this is where the king's mistress stayed, and then where Marie Antoinette stayed.
Mary
The trees reminded me a lot of Sleeping Beauty.
These ones especially evoked childhood memories
Fountains! And Mary's arm :)
Oh! I learned how they hedge the bushes today: they have a stencil that they just move around so it's symmetrical. How cool is that? And maybe everyone else knew that already, but I learned something new so I'm sharing anyway.
Ever After, anyone?
The side of the Opera House
My sandwich! So good. Oh my goodness I loved it. And not just because I was hungry. I wasn't so hungry that I would eat Pret.
The pink store of happiness. We didn't actually go inside, but Mary was so excited about it.
I found the Red, Ripe Strawberry for Josie, Mom.
This reminded me of the poison apple from Snow White.
Um, they spelled my name wrong. Silly French people ;)
The Arc de Triomphe! Also, none of us got pickpocketed here, so I think that's a pretty good accomplishment.
No worries, just an incredible view that I loved.
Mary and Paris. I think they go well together.
The sun was really bright in my eyes. Hooray for squinting!
Just look at that sunset.
Ah! I love it!
When there aren't any benches and your legs are shaking from exhaustion, you improvise.
And now it's way past my bedtime. Bonsoir!
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