We got to our hotel (which was a small train ride outside the center of the city) around 1130pm- only minutes before my birthday! We made it to a kebab place as the clock struck 12 and because it was my 21st birthday- we asked, and the owners kept the kebab place open! I enjoyed a scrumptious cheeseburger and fries- and for dipping, they gave us some sort of mayonnaise (it was yummy).
In the morning, Emily and I were up bright and early to see Versailles. Neither of us knowing a word of French, it was quite the experience managing being able to get on the right train, and then switching subways 2 times. But we made it! And we even got to hear some traditional French accordion music on the train! As soon as we got off the train we spotted a Starbucks!! That was one of the most satisfying carmel macchiato's I've ever had. haha Versailles itself was a grand site. As soon as you walk onto the property you see the main gate that is encrusted in gold and the property is absolutely huge. We got audio tour guides and headed out. First we toured the Chateau, which has room after room with bright velvet colored and detailed walls and countless pieces of artwork. We also got a peak at the King's Chapel, and the famous Hall of Mirrors. Both were very extravagant with detailing and gold from floor to ceiling. We the made out way out to the gardens. The way that the outside is set up is there are rows of gardens around the main grand canal that you see so far down on the property. Many of the gardens have beautiful sculptures and fountains in them. And on the sides are tiny pathways between the trees- it was magical. We made the treck over to Marie Antoinette's private estate (house)- that King Louis the 14th or 15 (my mind escapes me, I know awful- sorry) built just for her. We couldn't find it at first because there are so many other buildings and everything is in French, but as the saying goes, "When you aren't looking is when those things that you want most come to you," we stumbled literally into it! Her house was absolutely adorable- tiny, with little rooms for everything. There was the kitchen, dining room, pool room, a bathroom for a visiting family member, and her room. I want my room to be her room- it was adorned with pink velvet walls, pink couches, and of course gold accenting all over the room. We also went into the creepy corridors of the house where a simulated whispering females voice in French could be heard- it was really cool. In addition, we learned that Madam Dubarry (one of the King's most famous whores that was brought into court) roamed these hallways. It was unbelievable to just stand in the estate.
After Versailles, we headed back into the city to meet up with the rest of the girls. We got lucky because it was an absolutely beautiful day with the sun shining and the city was bustling. I got my first ever French baguette- and it was delicious! We walked through the Latin and Greek quarters- and there was music playing, people everywhere, and cultural goods on sale for all to see. After that we headed into Notre Dame- which was absolutely beautiful. The architecture on its facade was quite different than a lot of which we have seen in Italy. There was more of a gothic style art and it was not quite as large as some of the Duomos here. We also saw figures dressed up out in the front- everything from a creepy tombed Egyptian, to the Hutch back of Notre Dame himself! When we went inside, there was a mass or some sort of procession that was about to begin, and it was beautiful to hear the mass begin in French. The interior of the church had massive stain glass windows and sculptures depicting people and scenes from the bible everywhere. I also saw the candles that we lit for loved ones, and they looked beautiful. In addition, the confessional boxes are quite different than those seen in a traditional American church. They are glasses booths that everyone can see you in, and you sit across from the priest at a desk- looked pretty awkward. After that we walked around in search for the Jewish quarter with no luck. And due to the recent global events, we were weary of asking for help, and when we finally mustered up the courage to, didn't get much assistance. But we did find a 'My Berry,' which is exactly like Pink Berry and it made my birthday that much more sweet.
After that we met up with my roommates friend and headed over to Luxembourg gardens. The gardens looked just like the famous dot painting, " A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte" by George Seurat. There were people all over socializing, children running around, and tiny boats sailing in the large fountain in the center. There were also a number of statues and sculptures placed around the gardens, even a huge head! There was also the Luxembourg castle itself- which was looked like your standard castle haha. We found a seat right near the pond/fountain area and had some Portugeese wine- my first ever! It was quite a yummy red, that has more of a kick than most of the Chiantis we are used to.
Once we were kicked out of the gardens because they were closing, we headed over to the Chanzelize- a large street loaded with shopping. On the way there, I sat next to a little French girl on the metro and she was whining a little bit so I started making sillt faces at her. She let me see inside the bag she had on her lap and it was a new goldfish! I guess she was worried about him on the train, as she tried to tell me in French. She was absolutely adorable. Once on Chanzelize, I was able to see the Arch de Triumph from a distance but the zoom on my camera allowed to get a picture that tells otherwise. We shopped around for a bit and even found a Gap! Never thought I would be excited to see one of those.
Once the sun was set, we trecked over to the Eiffel Tower, which was of course lit up for the night- AND IT WAS AMAZING!! The tower is absolutely beautiful and we took 1 million pictures of it before we go close. Once underneath, we took 80 more pictures and were disappointed to find out that we wouldn't be able to go to the top because the wait for the line was too long and we had too many other things to do that evening! As were walking back to the metro station we looked back by chance and the Eiffel tower was giving a little light show! It was sparkling and glistening up and down the sides with blue colored lights- it was beautiful. Thank goodness we turned around! I also got all of my family birthday phone calls when we were at the Eiffel tower- this put an even bigger smile on my face.
We headed back to the area where out hotel was and got sushi for my birthday dinner!! I got 3 rolls- why be modest on a 21st birthday, and it was so yummy. After that I got my birthday dress on and headed out for a night on the town. We of course ended up at a TexMex bar because I have a Mexican food obsession- though did not get any. We also had a few run ins with the Parisians who were not to pleased that there were Americans in their city at night. It was certainly a fun and interesting 21st!
Early the next morning, or what seemed like an extention of the previous day, we got up to go to the Louvre! Because it was the 1st Sunday of the month we were able to get in free of admission, which was amazing. We stopped for a quick Starbucks and headed in. Again, this was another place that I needed a good day to spend in, but I got another great taste test. We saw the Mona Lisa, which I am happy I can say I saw the Mona Lisa now, but it was kind of small and because there were so many people surrounding her, I couldn't really get that close. Again, thank you zoom. I was most impressed by the huge collection of Egyptian art- which included everything from the Sphinx to loads of Sanskrit and even mummy tombs. It was really impressive to see art from such an ancient civilization.
After the Louvre it was time to head to the train station to leave :(. I wanted to stay forever but all good things must come to an end and I KNOW I will be back there very soon. Before departing though, I got another baguet and my first and only crepe! It was chocolate filled and essentially one of God's gifts to earth.
Going through customs, we got 2 stamps in our passports before boarding the chunnel- some of the first stamps we've gotten traveling, so we were all very excited!
London coming up next! Sorry for the delay but I want to make sure I get all the great details in and I want these posts to be good. They are important to me because I feel like I really got to see some of the world and learned a lot.
MY ROOMMATES COMES INTO FLORENCE TOMORROW AFTERNOON!! I am very excited to see a face from home.
Miss all of you!
xoxo
Amanda
Once we were kicked out of the gardens because they were closing, we headed over to the Chanzelize- a large street loaded with shopping. On the way there, I sat next to a little French girl on the metro and she was whining a little bit so I started making sillt faces at her. She let me see inside the bag she had on her lap and it was a new goldfish! I guess she was worried about him on the train, as she tried to tell me in French. She was absolutely adorable. Once on Chanzelize, I was able to see the Arch de Triumph from a distance but the zoom on my camera allowed to get a picture that tells otherwise. We shopped around for a bit and even found a Gap! Never thought I would be excited to see one of those.
Once the sun was set, we trecked over to the Eiffel Tower, which was of course lit up for the night- AND IT WAS AMAZING!! The tower is absolutely beautiful and we took 1 million pictures of it before we go close. Once underneath, we took 80 more pictures and were disappointed to find out that we wouldn't be able to go to the top because the wait for the line was too long and we had too many other things to do that evening! As were walking back to the metro station we looked back by chance and the Eiffel tower was giving a little light show! It was sparkling and glistening up and down the sides with blue colored lights- it was beautiful. Thank goodness we turned around! I also got all of my family birthday phone calls when we were at the Eiffel tower- this put an even bigger smile on my face.
We headed back to the area where out hotel was and got sushi for my birthday dinner!! I got 3 rolls- why be modest on a 21st birthday, and it was so yummy. After that I got my birthday dress on and headed out for a night on the town. We of course ended up at a TexMex bar because I have a Mexican food obsession- though did not get any. We also had a few run ins with the Parisians who were not to pleased that there were Americans in their city at night. It was certainly a fun and interesting 21st!
Early the next morning, or what seemed like an extention of the previous day, we got up to go to the Louvre! Because it was the 1st Sunday of the month we were able to get in free of admission, which was amazing. We stopped for a quick Starbucks and headed in. Again, this was another place that I needed a good day to spend in, but I got another great taste test. We saw the Mona Lisa, which I am happy I can say I saw the Mona Lisa now, but it was kind of small and because there were so many people surrounding her, I couldn't really get that close. Again, thank you zoom. I was most impressed by the huge collection of Egyptian art- which included everything from the Sphinx to loads of Sanskrit and even mummy tombs. It was really impressive to see art from such an ancient civilization.
After the Louvre it was time to head to the train station to leave :(. I wanted to stay forever but all good things must come to an end and I KNOW I will be back there very soon. Before departing though, I got another baguet and my first and only crepe! It was chocolate filled and essentially one of God's gifts to earth.
Going through customs, we got 2 stamps in our passports before boarding the chunnel- some of the first stamps we've gotten traveling, so we were all very excited!
London coming up next! Sorry for the delay but I want to make sure I get all the great details in and I want these posts to be good. They are important to me because I feel like I really got to see some of the world and learned a lot.
MY ROOMMATES COMES INTO FLORENCE TOMORROW AFTERNOON!! I am very excited to see a face from home.
Miss all of you!
xoxo
Amanda
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