PARIS!---Jour 2- Samedi

Saturday was another exciting day in Paris! We woke early, had some breakfast in the small cafeteria downstairs in the center of croissants and nutella and other such French foods! Then we gathered ourselves together and headed to Versailles! Armed with rain gear, cameras and sack lunches (larger than the average person needs!) We boarded the metro and then the train and after about 45minutes or so we arrived at Versailles. We spent from about 11-12 walking around the vast gardens while the fountains were running and they were playing classical music over speakers in the garden! It would have been perfect, if the weather would not have been so rainy/windy. But, we survived alright! After a very enjoyable hour we headed into the palace and toured that on our own (well actually in small groups). I really enjoyed the palace and found it to be very beautiful minus the random modern Japanese art pieces throughout. The hall of mirrors was especially gorgeous! Even better than I imagined it would be! When we were finished the tour and going through the gift shop, we waited for everyone else. However, by this time I was extremely hungry and could not find Adam who had disappeared with my lunch and his out to the gardens.

Once we collected ourselves, we headed back to the train and metros for another 45minutes back into Paris. Which gave me amply opportunity to finally eat my lunch! The next interesting place that we headed was Napoleon's tomb at the Hotel des invalids. There was also a WWI and WWII museum there that we went through. All very interesting! Though I found it strange that they would make such a big deal about Napoleon! After all they exiled him from France twice! Apparently though, the good outweighs the bad for them. There was also a very beautiful organ in the chapel there and if you are a part of the military in France with distinguished honors, you can be married there! By this time in the day we had all hit our afternoon slump and were ready to sit for a while. However, Dr. Reuber would not allow us to quite yet!

We headed up to Montemarte which is the highest point in France. On top of this hill, stand Sacre Coeur, a beautiful Cathedral overlooking the city. We took an incline up the hill and at the top there were all these people standing around and watching people break dance or give puppet shows. It was a little strange! The Church was lovely inside and there was a mass going on, so we were able to see some of that as well. From there we headed to the painters corner where all the painters are and did some shopping and then stopped for dinner. At this point we were on our own in groups. My group wanted to experience a real French meal so we chose a place where the menu(meal of the day) was only 12 Euro. For that, I had salmon terrine, boeuf bourguinon and chocolate mousse. It was very good! My group decided that we wanted to see the Eiffel tower, so we headed over there and waited in line to go up. However, they closed the top floor right before we bought tickets so only 2 people were able to go to the top, and the rest of us went to the second floor. It was very cold!! But, I was very happy to be able to go up and see Paris at night! Nothing like it!

After we finished on the Eiffel, we were all pretty tired, so we headed back to FIAP. However, on the way Mandee and I had to buy a nutella and banane crepe from a street vendor! So good!! Once again a good day was had by all!

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