Versailles!

        The day after our play was a train-day, as we travelled back to London from Stratford-upon-Avon and then on to Paris via the Eurostar. There was a very charming Frenchman in our fourth seat around the bench, sporting a fashionable scarf and an adorable family across the aisle. Our first experience on the metro was fairly hectic as one of my tickets didn't work! But we made it finally to the Cardinal-Lemoine stop where our hotel, the Hotel Familia, was. We were on the 6th floor with a FANTASTIC view of Notre Dame! The Latin Quarter is a really fun and vibrant area to stay, and very near to the Marais (just across the River) where I stayed only a month before with the group.

       The next morning--very early--we began our trek out to Versailles to tour the chateau and gardens. Or at least, that's what we thought would happen. Just as we got on the RER train to go out there, a uniformed woman came onboard: "Get off!...please." So we were all marched off and sent to the larger, much more complicated metro route with no explanation. This meant we missed our 9:30 guided tour and greeted Versailles with long faces and hard rain. But no worries--we had a wonderful breakfast at Helio's Pub down the street and by the time we were done, the rain had stopped! We toured the vast gardens for most of the day and waited until just before closing to go inside the Chateau itself. My favorite thing was Marie Antoinette's artificial but oh-so-charming Hameau, a tiny Disneyworld like village where she kept her farm. The fall weather was glorious! (if a little windy...brr!) We took a break at a little cafe for hot chocolate and macaroons then took the petit train back up to the chateau for walk through which was crowded but fun!

         That night after fighting the ticket-buying machines at the station and making our return journey to Paris, mama and I had dinner at Breakfast in America. Yes, I know what you're thinking. Why eat American food while in Paris? Well I had been in Europe for 11 weeks but then by golly, I wanted a cheeseburger! It was fabulous. Also they had a peanut butter shake they called the Obama (haha) which was pure heaven.