Versailles? I Don't Think So....

We woke up and decided to go out to Versailles today. My friend Michelle supplied us with the local's train route and we set out.

We got to the second train, which was not on the Metro line, but rather a large commuter train that took us out of the city into the suburbs. I swear, some of the stops looked just like the LIRR, backs of the houses and all, if you ignore the 18th century architecture thrown in here and there.

We had left Paris without a map for the other trains, nor any knowledge of exactly where the Chateau was located. Luckily, the train had a clear announcement system and lots of other tourists, so it was easy to tell when we were nearing our stop.

When we arrived, the information desk had pre-printed walking maps to the Chateau and so we set out.  It was around 90 degrees out at this point, at about Noon.

Rick Steves had warned us: don't go on a Tuesday, and bring your tickets with you.

We were there on a Tuesday, and we didn't bring our tickets with us.

And, so, an hour of waiting on a line that was really going nowhere led us to the conclusion that we needed to leave.  We talked it over and decided we would go back on Saturday, and stay over to enjoy the music in the gardens in the evening.

Good test run for Saturday!

Fish Head

See that fish head?

Isabella orderd Sea Bream for lunch today (some white fish, which I'm unclear what the US equivalent would be).

We had a talk the other night about her trying to expand her eating out main course choices beyond steak. As we walked around the area below Notre Dame with all its many Greek and varied restaurants, Isabella chose one and said she'd like fish.

I prepared her that a whole fish with head would show up in front of her and that she could share my duck, too.  She ate more than half of the fish, didn't complain about bones and had a good amount of my duck, too, just pulling off the poivre vert along the way.

I was so very proud of her, though the fish lacked any discernable flavor, she tried it and enjoyed it enough to suggest we try some other things soon.

Adrian Mole

Anyone who knows what book I'm referring to must have been my age in 1982.

One our second attempt to view Notre Dame and climb to the top, we were again denied. The crowds were massive again, so we decided to take a look on the Left Bank for Shakespeare & Co.

Along the way, we stumbled upon another space invader mosaic and a few interesting parks. The store is only a block from Notre Dame, but we had gone further down the river (not to jail, mind you) and had to work our way back (yes, due to my weird map reading skills).

The shop was very great. We were both thrilled to see so many English language books that we spent over an hour there. It's a small shop, but has a really nice kids section, which Isabella excused herself to. When I came back to find her, she was sitting on one of the couches engrossed in a small book.

The minute I saw the cover, I knew it was a meant-to-be-book-moment.  She was reading "The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13 3/4" by Sue Townsend.

I had to sit down. This had been one of my very favorite books when I was just a little bit older than Isabella. There was also a British TV series that had aired on PBS. The style of writing is smart and funny, even after all these years.

The nicest part about re-reading this, is that Isabella will read passages aloud with Britishisms in them, and I will immediately recall the next part of the story and the visuals from the TV series.

Really, a nice coincidence (or coinkidink as Isabella likes to call it) and a great book, too.

Love Locks

Really, just about the sweetest things we've come across are locks attached to the pont des artes (and also one near Notre Dame).

Lovers put their names or initials on it, attach is to the bridge and throw the key in the Seine.

Leaving the lock on the bridge is a symbol of their everlasting love.

Fantastique, non?

It's 92 Degrees!

There's a bear on the loose!!
Oh no, that's just Isabella, super hot from the heat of the day.

After our adventure at the Museum of Decorative Arts we went back to our tiny apartment. We've noticed that we get along swimmingly outside of said apartment, but argue a bit more when we are confined here.

And so, after a little rest for me, we headed out for Amarino gelato. It's about a 10 minute walk from here, towards the Bastille. There are always lots of people out, and the street was closed to traffic it being Sunday. We also noted that a lot of stores were open, since Sunday is traditionally when shops are shut.

When we arrived we assessed the line and figured about 30 minutes wait. It was hot, not a breeze in sight, but everyone was in a good mood as they waited for their ice cream. Isabella got a mix of coffee and dark chocolate. I got lemon sorbet.

Then we walked. We found another space invader (check out the filckr stream, I'm going to make them into their own set). As we walked along, I heard a song and asked her if she knew who was singing. she said no. I told her it was Janis Joplin and she should try to remember her voice.

She stopped walking and said, "Hmm. Why do I know that name?" Waiting for her to figure it out, we both came to it at the same time....

30 Rock.

You know how Jenna was in an unauthorized biopic of Janis Joplin and they had to change her name? This is the reference my child had.

Huzzah!

Museum of Decorative Arts

We tried our best to get to a park on the outskirts of town today, it being so hot and all. But, alas, the transfer we chose for our Metro (from the 11 to the 7bis) was inhabited only by three very lively homeless men. No harm was intended, but we decided to cut our losses and get back on the 11 and head to the Museum of Decorative Arts.

And we are glad we did so.

What an amazing collection of furniture dating from the early 19th century through the 2000's. Isabella's favorite was the 60's and 70's becuase of the shapes and colors. I leaned more towards the 40's and 50's.

There was a small exhibit where you could sit on some of the chairs (see at left) and they showed a movie with lots of clips from French movies that had fantastic decor displayed.

The museum also has a toy collection and a two floors of fashion. The fashion included a lot of early 80's French designer's pieces, which was shown in front of fashion show video footage. It was really interesting and Isabella got to see real pieces up close.

She also really enjoyed the 1800's exhibit poster lithographs that were on display.

Really, so far, I think we found this to be one of our favorite spots.

Grocery Store

Isabella was allowed to go to the grocery store tonight by herself. To be clear, I was right next door at the fruit market, both markets we have been going to almost every day. She was very proud and did her job well.

I gave her 10 euros for eggs, water and chocolate. She managed to get everything, pay, and drag it over to the fruit market before I even paid. She even gave me back all my change.

She has asked me if she can do this again, to which I replied, sure, because I know she can take care of herself in French way better than I can, is city-smart and can run to the fruit market real fast if there is any trouble.

Good job, kid!

(disclaimer: she didn't buy the wine in the picture...it was the only food related picture I had!)