Today our highlight was Chateau Versailles. We took the metro and the RER(train) and navigated our way around Paris and the surrounding area like pros. Our trip there was fairly uneventful. Getting off the RER at the station nearest the Chateau, we followed the crowds to the magnificent enterance.
The sight was breathtaking! It was larger and more beautiful than I had ever imagined. As we made our way inside I was filled with awe. The interior was even more ornate and richly decorated that the outside. As we walked through the many halls and rooms, so many history lessons and stories came to me. THIS was where these people actually walked, and ate and slept. We saw the secret door in Marie Antoinette's bedroom, through which she could access the kings bedroom, and though which she fled during the revolution. We saw the hall of mirrors, and the peace and war rooms that flank it. We saw many many rooms with all sorts of different colour schemes, some were red or green or yellow or gold or silver...
The artwork on the ceilings in the various rooms was surreal. The work involved to paint all thoses ceilings must have been tremendous! The sculptures in each of the rooms were also very impressive. It was interesting to note that in the king's bedroom there was a bust of the king on the mantlepiece, and in the queen's room there was a bust of the queen. For me, it was wonderful to see the face of the inhabitant in his/her room.
As we came out of the back of the main Chateau and looked over the grounds. We thought, yes it was amazing, but we both had an overwhelming urge to drink MILK!!! Since landing in France we have had a little water, and tons of french coffee -which is amazing, by the way- and even some wine, but no milk... We wanted Canadian food. after 3 days :( at the end of the day we found a: ...MACDONALDS! and we were very self controlled and only ordered drinks.
The grounds were quite impressive, despite the fact that winter is fast approaching. We took a walk through the grounds on our way to Trianon. We stopped for lunch at a little stand by le Grand Canal and ordered food in our very best French.
Ruth-Ann is getting quite good at the whole French thing. First she figures out what she wants, then she second guesses herself. Then when she's finally figured out what shes gonna ask for, she turns to me and asks either: 'Can you order for me...?' or 'How do you say...?' But yes, our French is definately improving, and we're both getting better at trying to speak it, regardless of the fact we know we are making a total fool of ourselves.
We also went to le Grand Trianon and le Petit Trianon. These 2 smaller chateaux were used as 'his and her' residences for various reigning couples, the most famous being Marie Antoinette and her husband, Louis XVI.
After stopping off at Macdonalds, we took the RER and metro back to Richard and Elora's. For Ruth-Ann the trip was very eventful. First, she managed to manipulate the train/metro system so that she didnt need to pay for her ride home. ...and second, her wallet was stolen. Any donations to her worthy cause would be greatfully accepted.
The return trip was also very amusing. So it seems that, in Paris, it is common custom to make out with your significant other, where ever and when ever possible. This provides us with ample opportunity to smirk, roll our eyes and giggle... However, on the train ride home we saw a totally different and very much more amusing couple. They both came on to the RER and sat in seats opposite each other. She wanted HIM to sit beside HER, and he didnt want to move but wanted HER to come and sit beside HIM. So they sat there, each patting the seat they wanted the other to move to. She threw a hissy fit and kicked his seat. He grabbed her wrists and pulled her forward and kissed her and she got all pout-y. Yes, it was mushy and totally immature, but very entertaining after a long day :)
That evening we went to the Champs Elysees for the third time. This time we had a purpose... to find Ruth-Ann a new, and more secure, purse. We found one and had a very good time shopping. The highlight, though, was probably the troupe of breakdancers that we stumbled on. They were quite good and provided a more up beat form of amusement... and may I add this was like at ten o'clock at night!
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