I love Paris
Loading Map
Paris,
France
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Yesterday was really fun, had the best of both worlds- day at Versailles to take in the old dynastry opulence, night bar hopping to be among the young and chic.
Versailles is worth seeing, worth the trouble of finding RERC5 train, worthy the $26.5 combo ticket for train and entry. It's not cheap, but you'll see enough brocade, sculptured wall panels, fine furniture, crystal chantaliers and painted ceilings to last for a long time. The accumulation of so much exquisite artifacts in one place is really rather humbling to witness. It's also worth going on a weekend, it's more people for sure, but you get to see more of the palace, and catch the grande eaux- the grand water fountain show with court music to match. There is so much energy and formal charm in the show, with fountain spring to life here and there, you cannot help feeling like a European embassador being treated by the French on first visit.
A couple things I'd kick myself had I miss: The Hall of Mirrors, with what must be a ton of crystal organized into various chandeliers, and equally numerous mirrors. Even Brad Pitts cannot afford it.
The English garden in MarieAntoniette estate, really tastingful take on country scene, with wild flower-laced ponds, serpetine paths along weedy water, layers of shrub, flowering young trees and huge, ancient trees that provide a backdrop . Sweet smelling roses were scattered everywhere. Maybe because of the cloudy,demure sky, it felt quite British, and romatic.The queen had a good life.
The percussion group at Grand Pentagon was also great. Somehow their mix of oriental and experimental music sounded especially creative in the pink marble court of the old French king,
The overlook of the Grand Canal from the Appolo fountain in front of palace was the most touching of all. The symmetry of the trimmed trees that line the canal and extend to sky, the peaceful glitter of the canal, the dynamics and strength of the huge fountain bursting with water, so much constrast, arresting.
By evening, I accidently found this cave at the back of a wineshop not that far away from Moulin Rouge, very working class, filled with locals getting wine, cold meat and marinated Veggie, and one very vocal dog. I had a large plate of cold meat, so much I was attempted to feed more than two morsels to the resident dog, who sat loyally besides me for the whole evening after first bite- guess not so many people feed him after all, andI would have given him more if I know for sure that dogs can take salty food. Towards the end of night I was still working on how ask for water in French, and asked for advice from two new comers to the room who were talking in English. Made quick friends. Decided on more bar hopping. The rest is just history. The night totaled 30 euro, 4 glasses of wine, and a nice picture of Effiel tower bathed in light over Seine. Really not bad.
