Kow Tails: palatial paris

We woke up for a full day of fantastic events starting with a train ride to Versailles; the hunting lodge of Louis the 13th which became a royal palace for many years. It is the place where Marie Antoinette lived and raised her kids just before she was beheaded. I can’t even begin to tell you how freezing cold it was, hence my cute jacket in all my pictures. The clouds could tell you how are day went. Our tour guide’s name was Sid, short for Sigmund I decided. My favorite thing about Sid beside his crazy great accent of Louis the 14th every ten minutes was his rat tail braid tucked into his shirt. I’m gonna take a wild guess and say it was about 2 feet long. Incredible. Other than these small defects Sid led us through the palace with grace and knowledge. I learned about each small salon, which are all dedicated to the planets and the gods that represent tributes as love, war, and passion. It seemed to me that the Apollo was the most favored by the Louis’. After all the small salons down the first side of the U, we came to the famous Hall of Mirrors. Let me set this up for you. Seventeen huge arch windows overlooking the gardens and balcony opposite seventeen huge mirrors which reflect the sunlight. Each side is decorated with gold and a chandelier down each side. The lighting and reflections off the mirrors are breathtaking. After this you walk through the King’s chambers which are centered right in the middle of the palace, naturally. The Louis kings were very self- centered and made sure their busts and photographs and initials were plastered everywhere. After our tour we followed Sid out into the gardens for some lunch. I had packed some things from the market so I sat in the grass next to the mile long Grand Canal. There were boats and topiaries, fountains and flowers, vines and trees, and also bugs. I could not handle it but the picnic was fun and cute with all my girlfriends.
Our group continued into the gardens, the size I can’t even describe, and to the Trianon. The Grand Trianon was a small palace for Louis to use in the summer, for his summer lovers. Marie Antoinette was fully aware of this habit that the king had and built her own Petite Trianon next door. Her style is so elegant and classy; it’s the modern traditional look that you would see in Government buildings and such. I look at it as the French country palatial look. Grandeur simplicity. Definitely something I would consider. Her favorite color was a pale green and she used that all around the place with wall patterns in silk, and chairs, and even her portrait. She also hated the rich lifestyle and forced the king to make her a hamlet home that was extremely French country, windmill, pond and all. It was so adorable! The geraniums were potted in every corner, the water lilies were beautiful, and the whole idea genius. Pictures to follow.
After our long visit to the grounds we took the train back to Paris and hustled our buns up to Sacra Couer which is French for the sacred heart. Only Susie, Megan, and I went up because it was such a quick turnover. Inside the chapel itself were these funky modern windows with green, oranges, and purples. They almost looked like sketches in the glass. The asymmetrical and unbalanced look totally added this unexpected flair which I loved. Not to mention the greatest sites of Paris can be seen from on top of the hill. We proceeded down the stairs to these few little shops that were funky and fabulous. It was totally an artsy part of town and I totally felt at home. You may say I dropped a few Euros here. Due to our lateness of the evening we had to hit up the McDonald’s. I ordered chicken nuggets, I think. The man couldn’t understand my English and had to do actions. My favorite was the question for sauce, BBQ or sweet and sour, which was completed with an eye slanting motion. I laughed my butt off (I wish). Next we saw this lady who had split personality disorder or something. She ordered like 12 things, and 3 different drinks, all for herself. She then started talking to herself and doing weird hexes. Michelle kept staring at her and when she noticed she did a hex on Michelle. Great night. Despite the rain we walked back to the hotel and you know what’s next, bed for now, Salut!