Trekked to Versailles today to see the palace and all that jazz. I thought Disneyland Paris’ lines would be the worst we’d encounter this weekend. Apparently not. Arriving around 12, we waited in line for at least 70 minutes to get tickets and then another 40 to get through the main entrance and security. Once inside, though, we set a meeting point and time (Eiffel Tower 7:30 pm) in order to get together again since I had purchased a ticket for all the major sites in Versailles, while the girls had only purchased tickets for the Château. Once you get past all the paintings and into the rooms of the Château (especially the Hall of Mirrors) you really begin to understand how richly indulgent Louis XIV was with his dad’s former hunting lodge. Apparently, the girls only spent an hour there due to the crowds. I must’ve missed the major crowds as I wasn’t shoved (although it was busy). The grounds outside, particularly the gardens which stretch for a mile or two, are very grand. The palace from the back view with the steps is reminiscent to Wayne Manor in Batman Begins, but 1000 times bigger. Bering there on the weekend, I also got to see the Musical Fountains Show, which was period-esque. Wandering down the gardens I ended up at Marie Antoinette’s estate, a home away from the home away from home of the royal family. It’s alright to be honest; I felt like I could’ve skipped it after seeing the Château. Around here it started to pour and then got sunny (weather is wonky this trip). Nice rainbow over the grounds afterwards. The Trianon was another thing I stopped by on the way back.
Leaving Versailles I was lucky to catch the 6:50 pm RER back to Paris so I could make it to the rendezvous at the Eiffel Tower. It really is a cool structure. Skeletal and larger than I had imagined. We took the stairs up the south leg to the 1st level, after purchasing tickets for the top. After reading some displays and deciding to head up, I stupidly waited 10 minutes in the line to take the elevator back down. Didn’t matter for the crowd — the elevator was packed every time so they didn’t make much progress either. Felt bad because we’d told Francesca that we’d be down after 30 minutes; ended up being there for 70 minutes. After walking up yet another flight of stairs I met some Canadian girls on a class trip from the “redneck” (central) part of Canada. The friendly chat with them calmed my nerves with how pissed I was at Paris at that point. Finally made it to the top and got pictures. Quite freezing, windy, etc. Great view though. Had one of the Canadians try to get pics of me without flash, but they were very blurry due to the high winds. Getting back to Francesca around 9:20, we decided to get our crêpes we’d been craving. Nutella and banana. Delicious.
The girls decided to head back to the hostel, but I wanted to see more sights so I took the metro to the Arc De Triomphe (wasted 1.60 € by entering the wrong station). The thing is impressive, though. Walking down the Champ-Elysées (long walk, feet hurt: in the words of the philosopher Cash, “I’ve been everywhere.”) to the Obelisk and finally the Louvre (Jardin des Tuileries was closed, probably because of the bums at night) I can still see the thing. The Louvre at night was cool due to the lit up pyramid. I then headed to the Pont Neuf bridge (“New Bridge” so named because at the time it was the first built without houses on it) because Bourne sent Conklin there in The Bourne Identity. Wondered which building Bourne spied on him from. Got the metro back to Riquet and arrived at the hostel around 12:45 am. Long day, but fulfilling. I understand and am inclined to agree with Francesca about why she doesn’t like Paris. I’m done with Paris for awhile, but I will be back for the Musee d’Orsay Mom recommended.
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