Princess for a day

Versailles was our destination today. The rain waited for us to see the chateau and the gardens and allowed us to have a great visit. Since we were a large group tour booked in advance, we didn't have to wait in the long, snaking lines outside in the breeze. A note to all those interested in visiting: bring something to do for hours in line, or find a way to get tickets and skip it! If it wasn't Versailles, it would not be worth waiting, but you don't see much better than this grand chateau.
The massive building topped with 24 karat gold was completely packed. Sunday isn't a prime tourist day, if you're hoping for some personal space. But being bumped and shoved was worth it when you looked above you to see carvings and paintings and gold everywhere. While we didn't see the entire chateau (did Marie Antoinette even visit every room while she reigned?), we saw the main draws. Large rooms where the kings sampled tea, hot chocolate, champagne, or played cards and french versions of backgammon. Of course, we saw the bedchambers as well. Some statues and even the bed of Marie Antoinette are original pieces, preserved for hundreds of years. After the war room was the main event; the hall of mirrors. What once must have gleamed a spotless reflection of Marie and Louis the XVI was faded with dust, but grand all the same. The long mirrors were copied on the other side of the long hallway by windows, looking out onto two fountains and perfectly manicured lawns. There were too many chandeliers to count, and of course, every inch of wall and ceiling was covered in gold carvings or beautiful paintings. Every room you went in there was so much to observe and take in. There was at least one large painting on every wall, and some were even originals! It was almost eerie to think that hundreds of years ago, all the stories you hear about and the pictures you see depicting history actually happened- right where you're standing now! If only we had a Delorian to see what it was really like.
The gardens, which we almost did not get to see, were even more incredible. If you go to Versailles, you cannot skip the gardens! There were fountains, statues, and flowers everywhere you looked. Flowers surrounded fountains and zigged and zagged between well trimmed trees. Everything was in excess, you'd think the French would be a little more understanding about Americans. The grass was perfectly kept and in different patterns, there must be hundreds of people hired to keep the flowers vibrant and the trees neat and clean. Walking away from Versailles with the chateau looming behind us, we came upon more fountains, more statues, and even a pond that must have been man made, since its size and proportion to the rest of the gardens were perfect. There was even period music playing through speakers for the whole garden to hear! I doubt that Marie strolled about listening to music coming from inside some shrubs, but it helped put the tourist in the era of pre-revolution. The whole effect of Versailles is overwhelmingly beautiful. I can see why the revolutionaries didn't tear it to pieces; while it stood for oppression, it's just too darn pretty!

the metro is easier than youd think...

Unless you are traveling during a strike. Today many metro lines and RERs were not running because of a protest. The retirement age was raised to 62 and I think that's what fueled the fire. At the Cite Universitare RER, the gate would not open, so a journey to the next RER stop, maybe a mile or less, brought us to a running line. Luckily we got to school on time.
Going back, however, was another story. The strike was set to occur in the afternoon, on our way home. After a picturesque stroll through le Jardin du Luxembourg, our RER line was officially closed. We were in for a long walk. Luckily, two lines were running as usual, and line 4, which was all we could hope for, was one of them. The walk home was cut in half.
The protest itself, I did not witness. Andres, another API student, said he observed part of it. It was mostly marching with banners and signs, but there was also music, a dj in fact. French people protest in style. It was much different than anything he, I, or anyone else had anticipated. I think that's the way to do it. Make your point, but in a mature manner.
Tomorrow should be an easier day, all least for the commuters.

Honeymoon

The whole trip went really smoothly, once I transferred items from my large suitcase to my smaller one (twice), and then paid a $55 fee to check both bags, because even though you may measure your suitcases according to AirFrance’s specifications, it will not fit in the tiny luggage basket. After two hours of waiting, 6 hours of flight, and another hour of customs, baggage, and chaos to find the API meeting spot, I could finally relax.

Annemarie, the RD for API, greeted me with a hug and a croissant. She was helpful and talkative and understood how overwhelmed I was. After waiting another hour or so, more people began to arrive. I was able to take a shuttle with three other girls to our hotel. It’s a nice set up, a toilet in a room by itself (very common over here) then a room with a sink and a shower, which I almost fell into last night. the glass doesn’t go across the entirety of it and the shower head is one that you move around yourself. Something to get used to.
Although we were dying to sleep, we decided exploring Paris would be more fun.  The day was all you could hope for, for one’s first day in a city like Paris. The sun was smiling down and its seemed clouds did not want to blemish the sky. We ordered paninis (only 5e!) and had lunch in a petit jardin close to our hotel. We started to wander about the streets with their white buildings and black wrought iron balconies dripping with flowers, much like London. We made our way over to Notre Dame which was like a picture. I couldn’t believe I was really there. Sometimes you see a place so often in movies or pictures or art, when you see it for real it seems fake, like other times you’ve seen it. I thought it must’ve been a dream or a picture or someone was painting really fast. The architecture was so intricate and amazing. The saints stared down at us with glazed un-pupil-ed eyes. Were the judging us for entering for free Well, everyone else was doing it. there were TVs at the end of each pew, which made me a little sad. Whoever built Notre Dame would roll over in their grave if they saw that, it’s just not how it was intended. We could take pictures inside and oh, did we. The stain glass was so beautiful and rich. It was amazing to see it in person.
Later on was a dinner with all API students (and paid for by API!) where I tried to expand my pallet. I tried pate for my appetizer (entrée en francais) and it wasn’t bad! It’s like a bunch of different meats in one patty-like substance, and it goes great on bread. If it was a little smoother, like a spread perhaps, it may have been even better. There’s a texture thing you have to embrace. But I really liked it, and after my chicken and mashed potato (I know, I know) I tried crème brulee as well. It was amazing. I wish I could’ve eaten it all! The top was a very odd texture, almost like an eggshell but it melted in your mouth as you bit into it, if you can imagine. The custard like crème inside was bliss. Definitely a dessert to have more than once
After dinner and before my much longed-for shower, I went out with a few of the students for my first legal glass of wine from Provence. It was so fun to relax, have a glass, people watch and talk. There were bikers and motorcycles going by, as always in Paris, and of course many people walking by. Of course, some gave us withering stares as they heard us talking in English, but how authentically Parisian! Everything seems to be amusing and amazing now.
Even though I slept decently after persevering for 32 hours, I’m still a little sleepy.Before my next walk around Paris I think I’ll have a lie down.

prendre la vie comme elle vient, prendre la vie comme elle est.

The 19th is fast approaching and the nervous are, too.  It comes in waves, I'm so excited at some points and then my stomach sinks and the nerves crash over me.  Last night, or rather, this morning at about 5, it was all I could think about.  Instead of relaxing and falling back to sleep, my brain kept making lists and asking questions.  What was I thinking?  How am I going to talk to people, can I really handle going to a foreign speaking country?  Why am I leaving my friends, my boyfriend, my family? 
Whew.
Well, I suppose it's to be expected.  API, or Academic Programs International, has prepared me the best they can.  I have a lot of orientation material about the program and even some material to practice my french.  The best thing for it is to go.  Allez!  I just wish I could shut my brain off during the remaining 14 days. 
It's very normal to stress about this experience, I'm sure....but it's also very annoying. 
I'm going to take a deep breath and follow the advice of Archimede (great french band-look em up!)

take life as it comes, take life as it is.