Nothing goes simply for us though. We got on the metro in rush hour and made it to our first stop, where we changed trains and took another metro. All went fine on those two jaunts, despite being pressed against the bodies of other Parisians. Poor Ramy had to carry the stroller, while I held Rebecca, since Parisians are not hip to having elevator access to metros and you have to do stairs everywhere. We got to the station where we were to get on the RER C out to Versailles. Mother, Rebecca, and I jumped on the train, but then the doors started closing before Ramy got on. Like a true American, I stuck my hand out to try to prevent the doors from closing. Yeah, that doesn't work there. Not only did it not open for Ramy, it was crushing my wrist. I still had Rebecca in one arm, and the other was being crushed by the heavy doors. Somehow Ramy and I managed to convey that we'd meet at the train station at Versailles. I was ultimately able to wrench my wrist from the train door, but wearing a watch on the wrist still hurts. Nonetheless, us girls rode the train through the outskirts of Paris, and I was feeling good that all was going well. As we enjoyed the view, we munched on the fresh croissants, pain du chocolat, and quiche lorraine we had purchased before we left the Marais.
The train stopped at several stops along the way, and 2 stops before Versailles-Rive Gauche, it stopped and then started going in the direction back toward Paris! Apparently, that train didn't go all the way to Versailles, so we had to get out at the next stop and catch another train that did go to Versailles! Meanwhile, Ramy had gotten on another train and had a similar experience (just sooner), and he made it to Versailles before we did. Ultimately, we were all reunited at the Versailles train station, but it was a nail-biting hour, to say the least! Somehow, we still managed to all get to Versailles just about five minutes after it opened. Using our Paris Museum Passes, we had no wait at all!
It's pretty startling to get off a train at a modern station, walk past a shopping center of modern stores, turn a corner, and then see this:
I love Louis. What gall he had. Here's my take on his thinking: I don't like Paris, because it isn't all about me. So I'm going to move the seat of government out to the sticks so it can be all about me. Unfortunately, there's nothing out there. So I'll make a whole town for my amusement and have my minions surround me. And then because I like making it all about me, I'll requisition works of art with me as the centerpiece...the more divine I look, the better so that my subjects will realize I am a god. (I especially like how he shows off his manly calves and high heels and garter).
At first, I thought, what a nice Ressurection painting. Then I realized that it isn't Jesus...it's Louis! What a freak!
If that was too subtle, then surely you get that this is the altar/temple of Louis.
See, I'm not the only one who appreciated the artwork. My mom seemed to especially like this piece. Maybe you can help me figure out why.
I like how into symbols he was also. (Does anyone think fleurs de lis are just a little phallic? Really? No, me either).
Apparently when he ran out of time to sit for the works of art, he just had people create random statues and scattered them throughout the town of Versailles.
The psychologist in me would really like to have evaluated Louis XIV...and Louis XVI...and Marie Antoinette too. I looked around and was mentally going through the DSM-IV checklist for various Axis I and II disorders. Yes, I really am that much of a geek.
How else can you explain having a Hall of Mirrors for parties so that you can not only check yourself out from every angle but also keep an eye on everyone to make sure they aren't plotting against you?
Now, let's talk about the bedrooms. I actually thought Louis' room was not that ostentatious. I mean, considering.
But Marie Therese's? I thought the decor was fine. But the reason that it was so big and with so much extra space, now that's creepy. (It was because they had a 'press conference' when she gave birth. There were dozens crowded around watching her pass the heirs through her loins. In the heat of Paris summer, I'm sure that was a delightful experience for everyone involved. There were no royal epidurals back then.)
Rebecca greatly enjoyed visiting a palace where a real, live princess once lived! In fact, she thought that she was fit for that kind of life. See how natural she looks in a castle?
Other than her crown, the only souvenir from Versailles that Rebecca wanted was this lamb.
We liked Louis and all, but we had a sleep girl and no strollers allowed. So we decided to opt out of the complete tour of all the gardens. What we did partake of were gorgeous!
So we set off into the town of Versailles, laughing at how the whole town was created for the amusement of Louis XIV. I wondered how long it took for gossip to get back to Paris. I wonder if the Parisian paupers really believed it when they heard that he created a palace to house his horses, chariots, and carriages. Probably not. But he did.
In Versailles, my mom came across the highlight of her trip: a lace store. She was like a fat kid in a chocolate shop! I think she even started speaking French, because the saleslady didn't speak English, and they had no trouble communicating! We picked out quite a few pieces of some beautiful lace for her to use in dresses for Rebecca. After that, I thought she'd forgotten that we hadn't yet eaten lunch! We hadn't, however, and we enjoyed a croque monsieur and a Coca Cola Light. Versailles was a cute little town, and we enjoyed prowling in the shops there before heading back to the train. We passed a McDonalds, and even though Rebecca was asleep, Ramy went in and bought her some chicken mcnuggets to have when she woke up, since she missed lunch. No mishaps on the way back to the city, and we all enjoyed a good nap late that afternoon, before we headed out to enjoy some nightlife.
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