DINNER & BEYONCE - PARIS, FRANCE - DAY 13

Over breakfast this morning I was sputtering through my barely remembered French to our sweet, old grandma host. We actually managed quite well, and I could tell her that we were from the States, where we've been so far, that we were heading to Switzerland tomorrow, and that I love French cinema. I understood that she used to be an English teacher for French kids, but it's been so long, that she couldn't remember English anymore. We thank her for breakfast, and her home-made jam and head out for the day.

Today is all about the Louvre, the Palace of Versailles, meeting with the girls again tonight, and then pack up and get ready for Switzerland early tomorrow. (I hope we have time to buy some groceries), we can't afford to eat out in Switzerland. *No one can afford to eat out in Switzerland.

Kay and I take the metro tagged by the street artist Tetris, and head straight for the Louvre. We arrive before all the lines and debate if we should go in or not. We eventually decide against it because we didn’t want to spend 17 euros and rush through everything, including the main attraction, the Mona Lisa. I don’t feel as though I missed out. As Mom says, I can always come back- What a blessing!

After, we ate a salt crepe and then a Nutella crepe- Another combo meal that Kay and I split. We then went for macaroons, each buying one lavender macaroon. We took our time and walked through the wealthiest part of Paris, and then through the park, Rou de Paris. We were so lucky because the sun came out again and it was actually WARM! Incredible light and weather in the city!!

We make our way to the metro and go in to Versailles from there to see the palace. When we arrive, it’s beautiful and opulent with gold details, but not tacky. I get in for free because I’m a dual citizen and still under 26. I know Kay did this is a favor to me. She didn't care much for this, and it was more expensive for her. Nonetheless, we take audio guides and walk through the whole thing, including the gardens. I got some GREAT photos. My favorite part was the mirror room. I learned that it was a tremendous sign of wealth and prestige because Italians were only making mirrors until the French thereafter. They were extremely rare, and of course, terribly expensive.

I wouldn’t have minded taking my time, but I must admit, there were so many tours, even in the off season, that it was very crowded and aggressive- It drove us nuts and so we skipped a few rooms just to get away. Regardless, the entire palace is as lavish and beautiful as the Internet portrays! It’s cool to know Beyoncé and J. shot there before.

We finished the palace with a cup of melted chocolate. You heard that correct. You could add milk and sugar, but it was perfect as is. It wasn’t too rich or chunky and gross, just good. I even got to practice my French further with the person selling it, and was told I have a perfect accent. To receive that compliment, or any compliment at all from a French native is better than winning gold at the Olympics, or quite possibly, the Nobel Prize.

We head home, and pick up some groceries for Switzerland. We are completely exhausted, but we both shower and pack. I get ready to meet Isa and Alex for dinner. Kay desperately wants to come, but is forced to hang back do her medical homework. It was now or never- There wouldn't be a time or place otherwise. Too bad, but I understand.

I take a bottle of wine and hop on the metro to the girls. The metro shuts down making me late- Viva la France. I'm sitting in a four-seat with my bottle of wine. Three other guys in the same group occupy the remaining seats in our cube. A British guy is taking the other two gentlemen around on a tour. I say nothing. They assume I'm French, and that I don't speak English. The British guy tells the other two blokes that Paris is a party city, and always alive. He points to me holding my bottle and says, "This girl here, is taking a bottle of wine somewhere for a party probably". I smile at them but still say nothing. I have to keep up the charade now. Eventually the metro begins to move again, and the gentlemen get off at the next stop. In French, they tell me goodbye. I have to stifle a laugh. In return, I retort in a French accent, "good night". Fucking tourists.

I’m dining with Katie’s sister, Joanne or "Jojo", and the twins’ boyfriends as well. Jojo loved seeing me all grown up. The entire evening was spent swapping stories of how we love that we're close enough to be family, how our parents met, Uncle Steve, etc. We ate homemade pasta with meat sauce, croquettes, real French cheese, 5 bottles of wine, and then ice cream with berries and champagne. Alex has a gorgeous view of the Eiffel Tower and of a cemetery right out her window! It's perfect.

It was a fantastic evening with lifelong friends. I had multiple helpings of food, and had the best time- I’m still full as I write this!

I didn’t want to leave, but it was 1am and I needed to get back to sleep at least a LITTLE before I left. They called me an Uber and we said Bon Soire!

P.S. The boys are going to check out Dad’s documentary. Xavier, Alex’s boyfriend, wants to meet you Dad when they come to visit us this summer :)

STOR kram!

-eM

EDIT 2019: I found out recently that in The Palace of Versailles, they had spent so much money erecting it, that they ran out of money for bathrooms and plumbing, yielding very few places to use the facilities despite a vast array of bedrooms. Often times, people back in the day who would stay in the palace, would quite simply take a shit in the corner. Is it art, or is it shit? I suppose you can imagine why they don't include this in the audio guides.