My day started o
ut very early, catching the train from my village to Karlsruhe. I had an e-ticket through Rail Europe, purchased well in advance of this trip. I had roughly 20 minutes to connect to my train to Paris. I had to print my ticket and board. Easy enough, eh? Nope. Fo-get-bout it! I ran up to the service desk, no one there. Then I panicked. I finally went to the main info area and asked for help. A very nice man helped me try to print my ticket. Even he could not get it to work. He even called Rail Europe’s hotline, nothing. Meanwhile, time was ticking away and I had 5 minutes before my train left. I finally had to buy a new ticket, major bucks this time, and I left for Paris.
Having been to Paris before gave me confidence in riding the Metro to Shelly’s flat. I only had two stops from the main station, so I did this easily and exited the Metro station to sunny, Parisian skies! It was absolutely beautiful in the Opera District (the 9th, I think). I finally made it to Shelly’s, on a very tiny street, where the front door made the building look abandoned. Once inside, I climbed the five floors to the flat. It was great to see Shelly and hear about her trip to Paris. She had gone to Belgium, spent a day cooking with a private chef, wine tasted and wandered more than anybody I know could in just a week there! Her flat was very, very small, but functional and even had a rooftop terrace, of about a foot and a half wide! It had AC, full bathroom and washer/dryer. It was something IKEA could put together in 350 sq feet!
After a great lunch in a sidewalk café, we just walked toward Notre Dame and viewed the sights. The day was perfect weather-wise, lots of people, and tons of shoppers. It was a Saturday, of course.
That evening, we boarded a Sprinter van for our trip to Versailles, 18 km from Paris. The guide spoke very good English and since we were ahead of schedule, he gave us a tour of Paris by van! The sun was setting when we visited the Eiffel Tower and we got some great photos! Our guide explained that Paris was not bombed during the war because the Nazi general stationed here thought Paris to be to beautiful to bomb and plus, it was his mother’s favorite city. Paris awarded this man with an honor thanking him for saving the city. Our guide continued to explain on our way out to Versailles the palace’s unique history. Not only was the palace opulent but the design of the entire city was just as much so. We passed what looked like another palace only to find out it was a stable for 3000 horses at one time. Now, what you need 3000 horses for, I don’t know but think of those guys with 10 or 12 cars? Same thing, I think. It’s a guy thing for sure. Ha ha. Overall, Versailles is a city I will stay in the next time I visit Paris. It has direct Metro routes into Paris and it is not as congested.
We arrived at the gardens at dusk and started the walking tour with about 5000 other people. The gardens are huge so this was nothing in how many people it could really handle. Each fountain was lit up with colored lights and music played through out the entire area. At one point, we walk into this fountain area where the sky was a bright green mist. It was so beautiful. A unique combination of dry ice in the fountains and green laser lights made the atmosphere seem out of this world.
Finally, from just in front of the palace steps, I witnessed one of the best firework shows I have ever seen. In the distance, we could see Euro Disney trying desperately to compete with their own show. Some of the fireworks looked as if they dripped gold for about a minute. I have never seen anything like it, but then again, I don’t do July 4th at home because I take care of my dogs. Maybe having not seen a firework show for some time made this one extra, extra spectacular. Apparently, Versailles does this how every Saturday and Sunday during the summer. I highly recommend it to anyone visiting Paris. It is well worth it!
We actually did Midnight in Paris on the way home! We were lucky enough to see the Eiffel Tower’s light show at midnight and see the rest the city at night. So beautiful. No wonder people love it at night there! I have to admit, it is prettier than Florence at night. Oh gosh…I cannot believe I just wrote
that.
My ride home was expensive but after missing my connection, I finally made it home to my nice landlords, who immediately gave me my weekly supply of tomatoes. I don’t know what to do with this batch…already made lost of sauce last week! Maybe soup? Michele…send me your tomato soup recipe please!
Off to get my work permit tomorrow and then, I can start working in the office. I have been working from my apartment and that is getting kind of lonely so I am looking forward to seeing people! Ciao for now…
Sheri
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