That tower… it’s just so EIFFEL.
Merry Bastille Day!
Bag Head
Well the actually day wasn’t that merry; it rained most of the day, so we found ourselves jumping from metro to metro trying to visit parts of the city that were dry where we could walk around. We tried heading over to the Arc de Triomphe only to find ourselves in the middle of a heavily policed area with barricades everywhere. Totally forgot about the military parade that morning that begins there, and we couldn’t get anywhere near the Arc. On the way home, Kristi made a bag head.
Kristi and I had big plans of putting together a picnic and going out to the Eiffel Tower about 4 hours before the fireworks to get a prime viewing spot for the show, so we bought our food (mostly consisting of baguettes and wine) and headed to our hotel in hopes that the rain would stop in time for the festivities. We took a quick nap listening to the rain, and woke up to a bright sunshiny evening perfect for Bastilling all over the place.
We found the perfect picnic spot, listened to Gorillaz “Feel Good Inc.” 30 times on repeat about over the loud speaker (somebody needs to update their 2nd generation iPod) and claimed our spot with the official Knight flag.
We staved off encroaching intruders
Just the start...
People slowly started claiming spots all around us and by the time the show started it was PACKED. Around us was a group of drunk Asian college kids, a group of 2 guys and 2 girls that we assumed were all just friends because none of them were sitting too close to one another and weren’t overly touchy – that is until the fireworks started and the 2 guys started hugging and dancing and the 2 girls lay arm in arm (did NOT see that coming), a big group of Frenchies who lead everyone in songs (including the White Stripes, In The Jungle from the Lion King, and a HEAVILY accented English version of “Ha-ppy Bird-day DOOOO YOUUUU,” who they were singing this to I have no idea, we all joined in), and a couple of American kids who I overhead say “The French fry is essentially a post-modern potato.”
Our seat for the fireworks
Merry Bastille Day!
The fireworks were incredible and the atmosphere was great. Everyone seemed to be in a good mood and it was just one giant party. At least until it was over and we had to catch our metro back to the hotel. Packed. Not just packed, but chest to back, I-can-smell-what-the-person-next-to-me-is-thinking packed. Kristi has a little claustrophobia in her and had a little bit of a freakout which I think helped clear the path for us a little bit.
Small side garden at Versailles
The next morning we got up and headed out to Versailles. We walked around the enormous gardens, visited Marie Antoinette’s villas, got lost in the maze-like sculptors, and saw where Mike and Andrea got engaged (which I think is a Contiki Tour stop now). I would also to tell everyone to NOT check your backpack at the Petit Trianon with the sketchy looking employee. It turns out he steals your gracious mother-in-law’s Flip video camera that has the Bastille Day firework finale video out of your bag, which you don’t notice until that night and freak out. (We will buy you a new one when we get back, Jodi.) This is now twice that I have had expensive electronics taken out my bag when checking them (at the airport in Morocco, and now at Versailles). Too bad, too. The video of the fireworks was really great.
Inside the palace was great. Everything was gold, enormous painting of gods and such everywhere, and the whole place ridiculously lavish.
Kristi also found some cotton candy. Of course.
We came back and re-visited the Arc de Triomphe, this time police- and rain-free, and walked to the top for an amazing view of Paris. We then moseyed our way down the Champs Elysees, window shopping (or “window licking” as it apparently is translated in French) and people watching.
The next day was Louvre day. Being the most visited museum in the world, no matter what time you try to do this, it will always be a cluster. We got a hot tip from Rick Steves about an alternate entrance and walked right in without a line at all. We skimmed over a lot of it, making our way to the biggies: Monna Lisa, Winged Victory and Venus De Milo. Once again, Rick helped us with a 2-hour walking tour hitting the highlights and giving insightful commentary.
We made our way up to Montmarte, getting another great view of Paris from up at the Socre Couer. This is the bohemian area of Paris, where Picasso lived, the Moulin Rouge is, the café from Amelie is, and where there are incredibly talented street artists. There also happens to be scammers there who try to “sell” you a string bracelet by tying it onto your wrist so that you either have to buy it or cut it off (which also means buying it). Kristi and I were prepared for these and walked through the sea of them shaking our heads no, making quick punching movements (Blake) and flailing arms about (Kristi) so they couldn’t get close enough to trap us.
Also this movie is playing next to the Moulin Rouge:
And it's in 3D!
Kristi knows how to put together a great picnic spread. This was only half of it.
We then decided to have another picnic on the arts bridge for our last night in Paris. This time we even took pictures, Jodi! I highly recommend this to anyone visiting Paris, plus you can wave at all the boats full of tourists passing underneath (as Kristi did) or accidentally spill water them (as Kristi did as well). Also, if you happen to have the “museum pass” then you can run into the Louvre passing all the tourists just to use the bathroom (as Blake did). Priceless works of art be damned: where’s the john?
Sun. Setting.
Kristi's pic of the Luxembourg Gardens!
Our train the next day (today) didn’t leave until 5:42 PM, so we walked around the Luxembourg gardens which were surprisingly awesome and relaxing and full of crazy people doing crazy people exercises. I’d been wondering why we have seen no French gym, and I soon got my answer. Turns out, who needs a gym when there is a perfectly good park you can skip (yes skip) around, do 400 high kicks in a row, or pick up and put down the same lawn chair 30 times in a row? After watching the lady next to me do some form of working out that involved slowly opening her hands out wide and then slowly bringing them back together in front of her for 30 straight minutes, I decided we had had enough excitement for one day and lead us out of the tiny kids riding tiny ponies and over to the St. Germain area for our second best meal in Paris, consisting of duck (which we seem to have every other meal… it is so good!) and sea bass.
We made our way over to the train station about 1.5 hours before our train, only to find ourselves running at full speed through the terminal (with enormous backpacks on, mind you) to catch our train about a minute before it took off. Turns out we were sitting at the main terminal waiting, while our train arrived at another one which was outside, around the corner and past some construction. When we got there the lady just said “Quick, get on” and we jumped on the first car available (turns out we were the second car, so it worked out perfect).
But we made it, and are now sipping Coca-Cola Lights in first class on our way to Nice. A few days sitting on the beach sounds pretty ideal right about now…
Au revoir!
