April 25, 2010
Today was the day. The day I finally got to go to the Palace of Versailles. A place I have wanted to go ever since I had started reading about Marie Antoinette.
We got up and got ready for the day. We packed our things and then went down to eat some breakfast. They had cereal as well as baguette's and nutella, delicious. We ate and put our things in the closet so we didn't have to drag around our backpacks all day. We headed to the metro and then to a train that would take us to the town the palace was in. This was cheaper than buying a tour, thanks to Rebekka for suggesting it. We got on the train and just relaxed for out ride. When we got there we got off and headed to the palace. There was a long line, and we got in it. Shortly after, "shortly" that is, Rebekka was thinking that people with student visa's could get in for free. Once we made it inside to where they were selling tickets Rebekka asked. Sure enough you can. So we had wasted about 30 minutes in line, give or take. We headed to where ticket holders go. We got in line and once we got inside, the lady checking mine would not let me go, mine was not a real visa. This was sad and horrible news. So right before we went to go back in line for a ticket for me Rebekka asked someone and he said that it would be fine. We ended up going to a different person and he let us go right in, thank goodness. We got in and got our maps and headed through the halls. It was so amazing. I don't really know how to describe how much I loved going through the palace.
We walked through the different rooms. I won't bore you with anymore pictures of the inside :) We went through the gift shop and then headed outside. Rebekka had to leave because she had to get back to Paris and then Troyes, something to do with a party for a friend. I wanted to walk through the gardens so I headed there myself. I got my ticket, my map and headed out. The weather was so-so. Cloudy sometimes, sunny others. As well as some sprinkles I think. I walked through the different areas of the garden with the many different fountains. I even came upon a fountain show they show every 15 minutes or so.
(I was going to upload a video of a fountain at Versailles, but it had issues!)
I really wish that I would have had someone with me, but it was still better than not going at all. The grass was green, flowers in bloom. It was so perfect. They have a pond, quite a big one, that you can rent boats and go row around, that would have been fun. I also didn't have the time. I took lots of pictures, some of myself which is sad and not as good as having someone take a picture of you, which I should have asked someone to do. Oh well. I didn't stick around to see the big fountain show, I will have to see that next time! I wanted to head back to Paris so I had time to get my bag and make it to the train on time. I got on the train and headed back to Paris. I wasn't exactly sure what exit to get off of so I just got off at one that I thought would be close to the hostel. It ended up being a place that we had walked to the first day, and Notre Dame was right across the river. Since I had a little time I headed over to Notre Dame to actually go in it this time. I wasn't quite as impressed as I thought I would be, and I also felt extremely bad for going right in the middle of service, oops. I spent maybe two minutes in there and headed out. I got myself a crepe, which I think I've had better, but still not bad. I remembered the way I walked because a few years earlier Jessie, David, and I had walked the same way. It was a nice memory to go back and see the same place again. I headed back to the hostel and then back to the train station to wait for my train. I was on the first level, waiting for the screen to say where my train would be leaving from. Since it was getting fairly close to when it was to leave I went to a different screen and realized that I had to go up some stairs to get to my train. Also since it was going back to London I had to go through security again, as well as get passport checked, bum bum buuum. Two ladies looked at my passport, wondering why I could even go back to England, though they did notice the other four stamps I have from London! They let me go through, a little less trouble than the airport. I got onto the train, and someone was in my window seat, made me a little angry, but oh well. I slept for most of the way, since I had no window to look out of :( Once I got back to London I headed to the hostel and unpacked and rested up.
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