Paris first night (Elisse)

We were treated to a family-style breakfast at the castle before heading north toward Paris this morning.  Sliced meats, cheeses, hot cocoa, juice and breads were the fare.  We loved it.  It was very congenial to chat, plan and start the day in such a pleasant way.

For the first time today, we got to ride in the car with Aaron and Nan.  Now we finally feel like we are on the same vacation.  <smile>

Our first tourist stop was Chambord.  Chambord was spectacular.  I think it has some 700 or so rooms and 500 or so chimneys.  It also has loads of strange towers.  This great big castle was the little hunting retreat for the king in its hey day.

Our second stop was at the grocery store to get lunch and gas.  Then we drove like crazy to be able to get to Versailles early enough to enjoy it.

Versailles is a multi-palace compound.  It is a must-see site for Paris.  It is very extravagent.  We walked about 1.5 miles to the game room (it is actually a castle the size of about 10 of my houses put together) of the king.  In doing so, we passed the most vast and amazing garden I think I have ever seen.  Then we toured the queen's house (i.e. castle almost as big as the king's game room).  Also back in that part of the grounds was the queen's play area.  Her play area is a little village of thatch-roofed and be-flowered houses (all regular size) where she would go to pretend to be a peasant.

From Versailles, we drove 10-15 minutes into the heart of Paris.  I hope to never have another Paris driving experience if I can help it.  They drive crazy in this town.

After arriving in Paris, we started checking off the "must see/ do" events.

1- Try to go to a site, but find out that the workers are all on strike. (The Arc de Triomphe) -- Check
2- Hear a street performer begging for money in the metro. -- Check (The violinist loved our patronage.  Unlike everyone else on the Metro who was actively ignoring him, we took pictures and gave him money.)
3- See the eiffel tower by night (all lit up) and climb up it.  (So many steps to the top of the tower.  Huff and puff.  But it was worth it.)
4- Eat crepes.  (Bought at half-past midnight at the base of the Eiffel tower.  The town was very much still humming with activity at that time of night.)