Most of our third full day in Paris was spent at the Palace of Versailles. Out of the hotel around 10ish we arrived at the Palace of Versailles around 10:45. Our trip there was uneventful, and since all other stops so far had gone smoothly we had no reason to believe that this would be any different. We obviously underestimated the importance of an organized line. Americans, being taught since an early age to wait their turn in line, don’t know exactly what to do when a line doesn’t exist. At the Palace of Versailles they take the funnel approach, just squeeze yourself in while pushing everyone else to the side. A process that, with a simple line, would have taken 10 minutes took us a good 40 minutes. Once inside we needed to pick up our audio guides. Again, a process that should have taken 10 minutes took us at least 30. However, what the French lack in organization of tourists they more than make up for in the building of a hunting lodge. The Palace of Versailles, which centuries ago began as a hunting spot for royalty, makes the Biltmore Estate look rather pedestrian.
After an hour long audio tour we were able to spend a few hours exploring the massive gardens and lakes on the palace grounds. Most of the boys rented a paddleboat on the Grand Canal beneath the estate. While rowing across the canal they noticed something they found to be more interesting. The adults were observing from across the canal as several of the boys rented Segways, small 2 wheeled motorized carts, controlled by leaning forward or backwards. They weren’t the greatest of drivers with these things, but I do have to say that I was pretty impressed how quickly they caught on. We were a little nervous for a few seconds as we noticed that Chip was precariously close to the edge of the canal on a machine that he couldn’t fully control, but he eventually did steer his way toward the paved pathway. Now, it’s the French who are supposed to be the charming people, but somehow our boys pulled out enough charm to convince the French girl that was in charge of the segway’s to let them use them for close to a half an hour, even though the were supposed to have them for only half that time.
The day was finished up by few of us heading down to the Champs-Elysses. Not a whole lot was purchased, just the chance to say that we had been there. In to the hotel early, we are spending a relaxed evening in the neighborhood around the hotel. Tomorrow we will be off to a church service at the Saint Sulpice Cathedral and maybe a cruise along the Seine River. All has gone well so far, but continue to pray for safety, wise decisions and good weather.
After an hour long audio tour we were able to spend a few hours exploring the massive gardens and lakes on the palace grounds. Most of the boys rented a paddleboat on the Grand Canal beneath the estate. While rowing across the canal they noticed something they found to be more interesting. The adults were observing from across the canal as several of the boys rented Segways, small 2 wheeled motorized carts, controlled by leaning forward or backwards. They weren’t the greatest of drivers with these things, but I do have to say that I was pretty impressed how quickly they caught on. We were a little nervous for a few seconds as we noticed that Chip was precariously close to the edge of the canal on a machine that he couldn’t fully control, but he eventually did steer his way toward the paved pathway. Now, it’s the French who are supposed to be the charming people, but somehow our boys pulled out enough charm to convince the French girl that was in charge of the segway’s to let them use them for close to a half an hour, even though the were supposed to have them for only half that time.
The day was finished up by few of us heading down to the Champs-Elysses. Not a whole lot was purchased, just the chance to say that we had been there. In to the hotel early, we are spending a relaxed evening in the neighborhood around the hotel. Tomorrow we will be off to a church service at the Saint Sulpice Cathedral and maybe a cruise along the Seine River. All has gone well so far, but continue to pray for safety, wise decisions and good weather.
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