Paris Day 2

Today was the Skinny Jeans debut. I grew tired of wearing the same old single pair of drab pants that still bore grease from Greece. I love olive oil almost as much as my pants. Paris is much more fashion forward then Littleton so I was going to feel right at home in these, maybe even my man-prees would be fine here. Patti and Tara keep telling me that they are not skinny jeans, but I am not so sure about that.

After I only burst 2 blood vessels in my left eye trying to get these on we headed out to start our day at the Palace of Versailles (PoV). We had it on good authority that if we arrived at the PoV before 9:00 we would be all set. We arrived at 9:05. But, we had a few other things working against us, the first being that PoV is close on Monday which makes Sunday, our day, the busiest. Our second challenge was the 20 tour buses which were already in the lot when we rounded the corner from the train station. Those tour buses hold up to 65 people and the quick math put that at maybe only 1200 people in line in front of us. Arg.

Not to be thwarted we took comfort in the smarts we had to purchase the Museum Pass. This little red pass was our ticket to line freedom, our super line squasher, our get out of the queue free card. I went and asked the security agent at the front of the line where to take my magic pass. He pointed back and forth winding his way all around until he reached the back of the 1200 person horde. It was only later in the day when we made it to the entrance that we confirmed that it was indeed the correct line.

Being line-a-phobic we decided to tour the Garden of Versailles (GoV) first while we let the tour bus legion pass. That was such a great idea, until it started to pour. Walking into the GoV we flashed out super pass as we confidently strode in, and were promptly turned back. It was a special Music and Water Fountain Show day in the GoV. Another €33 later and we are strolling peacefully through the nearly desolate gardens.

We had big plans to have a picnic lunch in a secret garden. The girls were strolling in and out of the various areas looking for the perfect space. Then we read that you cannot picnic in the pay area, so much for the secret garden lunch. There were a few military personal with automatic weapons strolling around the entrance. We told the girls they were the sandwich police.

We exited the pay area of the GoV to have a picnic lunch along side one of the great pools. We watched the coach of a rowing team have lots of words for an aimless tourist in a boat who was not watching where he was going. After that we were back in for the Music and Water show. It was pretty underwhelming as I think these fountains are still operating in much the same manner as when they were constructed centuries ago. No fancy computer controlled musical synchronization. I think we are just too spoiled by the technology of today to appreciate what was probably amazing back in its day.

With the music came the rain as well. This seemed like the perfect time to head into the palace now that the line had subsided. When we got to the entrance the line had grown to encompass more of the outer courtyard then it had two hours prior, and it was raining with occasional gusts. Uh, oh, bad call on the GoV.

We got in line and not long after were sharing space under our umbrellas with four Belgians that were not so prepared. Eventually the girls graciously gave theirs to them to use for themselves, that was nice to see. After about 45 minutes the Belgians were able to buy their own and we brought all four of ours together to form a tent of sorts against the elements. It was very effective. Except when we moved, we had to me a single coordinated unit. We did get better.

We were not alone as many of the other waiters were huddled with the back to the elements like penguins in the arctic.

Once inside we took the grand tour and saw many of the works of art this palace turned museum had within it walls. Here are all the girls in the Hall of Mirrors.