Friday, October 28, 2011

Thursday 27/10/11

Thursday, Thursday Thursday!

This morning we where on a trip out to Versailles. Very interesting history of rich fools that moved out to the country side and tried to hide from the turmoil caused by continually fighting wars and becoming entirely detached from what was actually happening with the country...no, I kid.

This is a very important place and a pivotal setting for the French Revolution. It was also the grounds of the incredibly important Treaty of Versailles.

Honesty while inside and wandering through the Hall of Mirrors and other rooms full of wealth and history, I would get a glance at the grounds out doors and just think: damn, I can't wait till we get out there.

Elizabeth, our guide, did a great job telling stories of the inhabitants of this amazing home. Her enthusiasm was fantastic and she really amazed us at how excited she could still be about something she has done so many times.

Skip ahead - we made it outside! It was exactly as I thought, simply amazing.

Our goal - rent bikes. Our guide Toni informed us that you could get bikes to ride around the grounds and that it made for a great way of getting around. She couldn't have been more right. It ended up being the highlight of the trip up till that point. It was so awesome that we almost freaked out and rode off into the sky like Falcor in the Never Ending Story. Ok, maybe not, but it was a blast.

Number one recommendation while in Paris - Rent Bikes at Versailles.

After Versailles, we came back to the hotel and got recommendation for seafood from the owner. Although not on the coast, Paris has a solid connection of great seafood. When you live in the middle of the country, as we do, you hook up on good seafood when you have the chance.

Dinner was great and an experience. It was really our first eating experience with a server that spoke and understood very little English. She worked with us and it was a great meal. One of the highlights was when I tried to order a carafe of wine and she said: no. Then she proceeded to bring us a different type of wine that was fantastic. I should have been embarrassed, but she knew what she was talking about.

Our night ended at the Eiffel Tower. We made it to the 2nd level, which is best for viewing the city. All height fears aside, you are simply taken by the city at night. Many had told us that it was ideal to go up at night...and they were all right.

Later Jess and I chilled on a bench in the park area just staring at the tower. It will forever be one of the most memorable days of our lives. Such a great day.

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