Versailles

I was super excited for Sunday. This was the day we made our way to Versailles. I had read about it, watched "Marie Antoinette" (terrible movie but amazing costumes and filmed on location), and was ready to see the pomp and circumstance that sparked the French Revolution.  It was amazing. Probably my favorite day of the trip. The castle, the gardens- the whole experience was pretty amazing.

The castle was everything fancy and more. The Petite Trianon was exquisite and the Hamlet was more of an amusement park than a place to live. My favorite part, was riding the bikes through the gardens. It was the perfect day. We sat, took off our shoes and just took in the scenery- Parisians running, canoes on the Grand Canal, the perfectly manicured acres upon acres of trees- I loved it.



As you can see, the place is massive. This is us making our way early in the morning to get in line before the crowds.

This picture was cool because we got there so early, rushed through and were able to take pictures without the usual crowds of people.



Mark and I in the hall of mirrors.

A "special treat" as we were there while the fountains were going. Us in front of the Apollo.



Marie's Hamlet where she went to be a "peasant". It was gorgeous and probably where I would have spent most of my time as well.



 

We ate lunch in the gardens (had my first French omelette- sans egg shells unlike Aish's) and while we were there we decided to use the closest bathrooms. The line, like always was men one side, women the other and no real space in between.  The boys went in their side and there were no urinals. They waited and weren't sure what to do until a man from Spain showed them the art of European wall urination. The boys thought it was great and quite the experience- which had to be documented. 



 

Us on the bikes. Pretty sure I haven't ridden a bike since Jr High.

We headed back, Dave and Aish let us take a snooze and then went out to the Luxembourg Gardens. It was pretty crowded and seemed like a hot spot for local families to play and hang out. And we were in no rush so that was great.

 

We did pick up some bad habits from the Parisians. Aish tempted us with the bubble gum smokes and we caved. It was pretty funny and all got a good laugh from the sugar "puff" of the cigs. Let it be known, smoking is bad and something a YW President would NEVER, ever, ever do. Ever.

 

 

We hit a hole in the wall spot that opened in 1845. Mark had the gigots (Lamb or "Lame" as our waitress said) and I sampled the best beef borguignon of my life. The crusty bread, the communal tables and the old Parisian woman across from us made for a memorable evening.

 



 

 

 Mark and a tiny car.