Europe--Day 3

We took an overnight train from Munich to Paris. Figuring out the Metro system didn't take long, but neither of us were really prepared for the size of Paris! 20 times more people live in Paris than in NYC, but Paris is only the size of a typical city. Getting onto the Metro with all of our luggage during rush hour showed us what a tight squeeze it is!

We headed to Versaille, the palace and gardens built by King Louis the XIV (the "Sun King"). This palace was built for France propaganda--showing the world just how powerful and wealthy they were. Much of it (including the famous Hall of Mirrors) was under renovation.

The Opera room was my favorite.

Ornate rooms like these filled the palace.

Famous paintings, such as the Mona Lisa were housed here.

Busts and statues lined the walls and the gardens.

We liked the gardens better than the castle. Even though it was the "off season," the place was packed with tourists. It was hot and crowded, plus we were going on NO sleep (or shower...eww) from a bumpy train ride. Getting away from the pack and walking the gardens gave us some air and a long walk. (Versaille covers 8 miles!)

This is the Latona Basin. On top of the fountain is Latona, an unwed mother, who was insulted by the local peasants. She called on Zeus to avenge, who then swept down and turned the peasants into frogs and lizards that spit out water. We were lucky to see it turn on!

This is Marie Antoinette's estate. She was the Austrian who married Louis the XVI as an alliance. This was in the time right before the French revolution. The French hated her, as they felt she was spending the wealth of the nation and did not care for them. (Although her "let them eat cake" comment has never been confirmed by historians. "Cake" is the crumbs that fall on the floor from a meal.)

Before she was beheaded, Marie Antoinette tried to establish a country retreat--including her own working farm and dairy. She wanted a simple life, and often dressed in a plain white dress and straw hat.

This is the Temple of Love, with 12 columns supporting a dome, and a statue of Cupid shooting arrows.

More views of the extravagant gardens.

After Versaille, we headed to our hotel. On the way, we cracked up over the European cars that are EVERYWHERE. They have to be tiny--the spaces wouldn't fit an American car. I'm sure it's better to drive these as far as the gasoline crisis goes, but they look like toys and I doubt they hold up in a crash (even if it's a crash with a pedestrian).

After a jog and a shower, we headed to our first French restaurant. We weren't terribly impressed, but the green bean salad was excellent. (My duck tasted like really chewy fried chicken.) Parisiians take a long time to eat and socialize, and the dinner lasted over 2 hours. We actually liked the slow pace, and it was nice not to feel rushed.

We headed to the Eiffle Tower next, and took a ride all the way to the top. It was a clear night, and we could see for miles. We were on the top when it started to sparkle (which it does ever hour for 10 minutes). More pics to come...