Versailles, and Sociological Discussions.

If I were an uber trillionaire, I would buy Versailles.
Of all of the things I've ever seen (which really isn't that many at this point) this is by far my favourite. It was unbelievable. It was also nice to do it alone (unlike other things where having a partner would be nice)

I hopped on the train to Versailles and followed the crazy mob to the palace. It was such a relaxing change from yesterday - to be away from sounds of traffic. I got an audio guide and wandered from room to room. I think the audio guide made the visit. The British accents re-enacted conversations and witty quips so it was like watching any Hollywood movie. (...still no idea why they didn't get someone with a French accent to do it). Two parts of the palace were closed: The Opera, and the rooms for the ladies at court...both of which would have been great to see.

I think I managed to become so focussed on the lack of traffic, and there's enough space in the palace to be fully away from people that I became almost convinced that someone did actually live there. Generally when you look at things it's hard to imagine the actuality of someone living in that era, not questionning it.

They had a 'modern' artist exhibit some art in the rooms. I think I know several people who would have hated their visit being spoilt by his work. I didn't really care. THe giant red blow up lobster suspended in the kings bed chamber was hilarious. Jeff Koons was his name. I personally thought his art was ugly...but that's fine. Most of it mimicked balloon animals...unfortunately the design in palace entrance looked like an anus and five vaginas.... it was supposed to be a flower. No further comment needed

ANYWAY
THEN I went outside to the gardens. Oh my heavens! They're enormous!! I spent the entire afternoon walking around, in the individual gardens and along the canal. I made it the Grand Trianon and the Petit Trianon. It was really exciting to see the Petit because I've seen it in art books for so long. Unfortunately I didn't splurge and go in to see the Queen's chambers. I'm saving that for next time *whenever that might be*

The place was just magic.

Back in town, I went into the Louvre and strolled quickly along 2 floors. I think I was museumed out. I snapped a few shots - making use of the self timer to take pictures of myself making light of exhibits....my maturity level was quite high.

IN my hostel room (and this a swank hostel) I met 2 really cool people. A fashion deisgner in training named Candace who works in London (and is Canadian) and a Brazilian Rafael who is learning French here 'For the express purpose of watching French films without subtitles. We've had some really good chats.

Last night this American girl was staying in our room and this morning got up making as much noise as she possibly could. (I only said she was american because I gave all the other nationalities; I'm by no means commenting on her nationality making her annoying.)

Today has been alright. I walked to the Galleries LaFayette which was stupid becuase it's haute couture which is ALMOST affordabe. I found the most beautiful pair of Laboutins...or Louboutines.... alas I didn't buy them - OR the magenta fall coat. I consoled myself with an afternoon nap.

After I woke up, I took a stroll into the Latin district and found some more highly manicured, packed parks. I listened to some mediocre jazz. Then this guy started talking to me and we had a pretty decent conversation in French. I shot him down for a date. I took a walk to the giant pond with mini sail boats floating in it. I sat down and began to read.

This older guy came up to me and started talking about Sociology and how I should appreciate it. He also said i was 'Normal' becuase, for my age group, I was in a steady relationship and living with my 'fiancee'. (I may have lied about the status of my partner..clearly I'm not engaged). He also said it was 'normal that I as a female said my goal in life was NOT to find prince charming'.

I told him that the book he was referring to (because yes, he had a book in hand to prove it) was outdated, being written by an outmoded sociologist. (I took liberties in the archaic cover of his book, I don't know anything about sociology) I also stated that if he read Ayn Rand, sex and love was nothing more than a momentary animal instinct and that were I not getting married in three months, my goal would be to further my career and to earn as much money as possible so that I could read books in peace by my own pond.
All in French of Course.

Then I went for a walk.

I think today I could have used a travel buddy.
I am ever so excited to go home tomorrow!

Sunshine!!

Today was fabulous.

I took the initiative of putting my map at the back of my bag and setting off in any direction I fancied. I found myself in an open market. A vendor gave me an apple since he couldn't be bothered weighing it.
Then I found myself close the Seine. I started heading towards Notre Dame, but got side tracked by a botanical garden. I saw some owls, and some large dinosaurs.

I have to admit for the majority of this day I just acknowleged the fact that I was looking at things, but after that my mind just kind of blanked. I think it's the winding down from work, and getting everything set up to leave. So I'm taking this opportunity not to think. It's a good state of being for the moment!

After the gardens I did make it into NOtre Dame. When I was 16 I was here, but I lost the roll of film with those pictures on it. IT was nice to get them back in a way. Wandering further I found myself in front of the Louvre. I'm going tomorrow when it's free! It's nice on the outside. Then I walked down the pedistrian walk way and rested by a still pond with really pretty sculptures. I didn't think of anything. All I felt was peaceful. It was perfect. Actually - I was thinking I needed to sit in the shade more often since it was boiling hot, wonderfully, impecably sunny and my nose was burning.

Hmm....then I walked down the Champs Elysee. It was noisey and crowded and even the sodas were over priced. That wasn't fun. So after taking a brief look at the Arc de Triomphe, I headed down smaller streets to the Eiffle tower. I popped into a really cute, reasonably priced cafe for a bite to eat, and then took a nap under the tower. It was a good nap. My legs were sore.

As soon as I woke up a group of young people were collecting signatures 'Pour re-introduire les loups dans le Boulange' .... or something to that effect. And I said 'Bien sur, j'aime les loups' and then they said 'les touristes son quand meme plus gentilles que les citoyens.' I have to say, everyone I've personally talked to has been wonderfully nice. HOwever, on the train ride into town, some of the natives got very VERY angry at the visiters with big bags...as though it was their fault the tram line was underserivced. At least I managed to escape their wrath because I only had a back pack!

Anyway- I eventually made my way back home for another nap. It was a 20km day for this young lady and she's quite tired! And burnt. I know I know....but I haven't been burnt all summer and I'm making up for lost time!

Tomorrow I'm going to Versailles, and then I'm hitting up the Louvre only because it's free. A bientot!!!

Paris

I have but a few moments and the craziest keyboard ever.

I am safe and sound in Paris. The plane ride was easy, forgetting the directions to the hostel wasnt so smart. But it is pretty nonetheless. Am off to explore!!

Edinburgh

The Lake District

This post is delayed.

Pretend it's September 14 or 15th.

I've decided if Australia doesn't make my dreams come true that I will be returning to the Lake District to take on any task that I can find.

It was simply stunning. We hopped on the train from Edinburgh, and the further south we got, the prettier the landscape became. We got off in Oxenholme, and took a fifteen minute commuter train into the heart of the Lake District - to the town of Windermere. Windermere is the biggest lake, and the starting point for most adventures.

For two mildly stressed individuals, stepping off the train was utter bliss. We immediately went to the organic food store to pick up some dinner and began to the 2.5 mile trek to the Youth Hostel.



The Hostel is situated between the town of Windermere and the wee shire of Troutbeck (which constituted 6 houses, one being renovated). We dumped our stuff in the hostel (which, for being a youth hostel was curiously filled with over 40s) and we walked to Troutbeck. We walked down into a valley and crossed a few streams. Then Spencer fell into the water. ON our way home 3 or 4 bats kept the midges away.

Because talking about walks is boring I'll keep this short:

The next day I woke up early (....6am) and went for another walk. I managed to get very close to a couple of unsuspecting deer. Spencer met me for breakfast at 8. The night before, we'd decided on the path we wanted to take, so it was just a matter of starting out. That day Spencer and I walked via the public footpaths to the town of Ambleside.



In Ambelside, we stopped in a quaint Tea Shop run by an older lady (baking in the kitchen) while her husband served us our afternoon tea. He was wearing suspenders therefore I liked him quite a lot.

Then we took a boat back down the lake to Bowness:



When we arrived we walked back up to Windermere we took the footpath to the Orrest Head Look out point.
After that we did another hours worth of walking through about 15 sheep fields, climbing interesting stiles, and crossing through people's back yards. One family had set out a box of treats for travellers to purchase. After getting home, we bought a wonderful locally produced meal (Spencer had Steak pie, and I had a stuffed chicken breast). Followed by an apple and date dessert.

The hostel was not what they call a 'happening place' and I was in bed by 9:30.

Breakfast the next morning was a huge feast of back bacon, eggs, fruit, yogurt toast, beans delicious tea. We stored our backpacks at the greasy spoon next to the train station. We hopped on another boat to cross the lake. We took another path through forests and local farms (where I got a serious case of swamp foot in sheep dung) to Hill Top, Beatrix Potter's house. It was drizzly that day, so there aren't many pictures. We didn't actually go in Beatrix's house because you need to get a timed ticket, but we did hang around her gardens. It was ever so lovely.



On the walk back we stopped by a small shed which constituted the variety store. They had something called Kendal Mints - famous for their use in the 1960 expedition to the top of Mount Everest. They were essentially a solid block of sugar flavoured with mint. For a sugar fanatic, I was outdone in two bites. It hurt. It hurt my pride, and it hurt my teeth.

Then it was the train ride back home.

I think we walked close to 20 miles that weekend.

This must constitute the most boring post in blog history - but it was serene. And for the first time in a long time I felt cozy and relaxed.