Rainy Day in Paris

"It was a rainy day in Paris," somehow this phrase seems so romantic to me. But it's not really so pleasant when you've traveled out to the Palace of Versailles (about 20 minutes by train outside of Paris) thinking it will be a lovely day with a chance of showers. So...we're wearing shorts and don't have an umbrella when the torrents of rain begin. No problem...we're touring a palace...and what an amazing palace it is! But...a great part of the beauty of this place is the gardens...well they just looked sorta wet today. And the Grand Trianon and Marie Antoinette's Estate (which are supposed to be beautiful) are a 25 minute walk through the rainy gardens away. So we saw what we could without a hike in the torrents and gave up and left. Boo hoo...guess we'll have to come back. Hmmm...

(I am regally attired as I enter the famous Hall of Mirrors.)

(just a glimpse of the King's chapel)


And what was it with the ceilings in the days of the monarchy??? I was floored by yesterday's ceilings at the Louvre and I was blown away by today's ceilings at Versailles. So exquisite!

Since today's adventure was a bit of a bust, I'll spend some time catching up. A couple of days ago we visited a cafe called Les Deux Magots which was once the meeting place of the literary and artistic elite...Hemingway and Picasso...just to name drop a bit. Well, I figured if I sat there and drank my cafe le creme I might just discover my inner Hemingway. Didn't happen. I just boiled in the sun (it was in the 80's) while I tried to down a hot coffee. So much for inspiration.

(Do I look like I'm just another inspired author among the crowd at Les Deux Magots? LOL)

(This is the only glimpse we got of the fabulous Versailles gardens...from inside before the rain struck. The gardens go on and on and on.)


My experiences with the locals (in my huge experience of 5 days!) has been wonderful. People have been so helpful, even if they don't speak English they try so hard to understand and help. Some other examples of the polite French include the way they respond to entertainment. While at the Luxembourg Gardens the other morning, I was so impressed with how polite the audience was. Even though this was at a park, everyone was silent while an orchestra was performing. No one got up and walked around and when the music was completed they gave an amazingly appreciative round of applause. I had read in a blog that an Expat from America, now living in Paris, went to a movie theater and was quite surprised. There were no concessions and everyone stayed quietly seated until the last of the credits were displayed. It seems they have great respect for their entertainers...and we could learn a thing or two from them (but please....let's keep the popcorn!!).

My impressions of Parisian women...walk with their heads held high which makes them appear more confident and more beautiful; understated earrings or none at all; short but manicured nails; wearing skinny jeans with a top of soft feminine fabric that flows with the breeze or a dress (of that same wonderful fabric) with a tailored blazer and ballet flats or wedge heels; and carrying a large wonderful bag. Oo la la! I wanna look French and wear a size 2.

Answer to yesterday's question: The Louvre palace covers 712,206 square feet and the grounds cover 2,014 ares. Question of the Day: What was the original purpose of what was to become the Palace of Versailles?