Although, we thought there is a silver lining. The book said that the jardins (gardens) are open every day - hooray!
No. They were closed because of the snow. Ov Vey.
So.......
We got to Versailles just before lunch and we decided to wander the old main street (Rue Royal). It is very pretty, and well worth a stroll for an hour. Then Gaby saw a hairdresser, and asked the obvious question. So for the next hour ALL the girls had their hair shampooed&cut. They deserved it after 3months away (they did have their fringes cut regularly in Israel) and thankfully the Versailles hairdressing prices are not like Paris(!). After that we jumped back on the RER train, had our lunch that we brought with and took the train all the way back to Opera station.
We walked out of the metro and turned around and there was the Opera building. It is a real knockout. We decided to take the self-guided tour inside and it was terrific. This is the first time i've seen the inside. It is a truly amazing building. The staircase, the main hall, the auditorium, the library and the exhibitions. We even tried to catch a glimpse of the phantom. Very impressive.
Afterwards, we braved the pre-xmas crowds at Galeries LaFayette (behind the Opera), and believe me - there were crowds! I reckon there were 50 gendarmes in the intersection out the front trying to direct and synchronise people and traffic - not much success. The main dome area is beautiful at the moment with a gigantic xmas tree and massive presents hanging (falling) from the ceiling. Check the pics. We wandered up to the 5th floor to look for boots for Talia's bday (tomorrow) but they'd run out of stock. Rochelle surreptitiously bought Talia some little Hello Kitty gifts up there, and after a bite to eat (we had a great table - facing the street corner with all the crowd frenzy & the eiffel tower was on the horizon), Rochelle wanted to go back for more 'window' shopping. I tried to put my foot down to go home, but to no avail - we were in the girls clothing section of Galeries LaFayette... Girl heaven. Rochelle and the girls sifted through some magnificent dresses and shoes by 'Monsoon' in a section called 'Accessorize' - very glitzy.
After a couple of hours, the staff told us that in 10mins they were closing off the cash registers, so the girls rushed to buy buy buy. And for that experience, lets just say that when i got back to our apartment i had to top up my credit card. Perhaps i'll try to put my foot down harder next time - yeh right. We took a taxi home.
This morning we really did go to Versailles. It's only a 30min RER train ride (very smooth) so its no big deal. When we got there it was cold and there was snow everywhere. But of course the crowds are still there, so we avoided them by going straight to the jardins first and had an early lunch (12pm). It turned out to be a good idea. You MUST see our pics of the gardens in the snow (link below). It was really very very pretty. It was cold but thankfully no wind, so it was fairly tolerable (even for Hannah). The girls sat on my raincoat as a picnic blanket and we had our lunch. This is the second time Rochelle and I have had cheese&tomato baguettes on the garden steps of Versailles (that's a travel tip for you).
After lunch Talia, Gaby & I went for a quick walk all the way down to the last lake, making a detour through some of the woods on the side. This is my 3rd time at Versailles and i've never gone further than the first set of steps in the garden. It was well worth it. The fact that it was all covered in a blanket of snow made it a real novelty too and perhaps more sensational as you brave the elements. Again, check our pics of the walk to the last main lake - such good pics - almost all of them like a postcard.
We had to rush back because the cold was starting to take its toll on Hannah, and we moved inside.
By this stage, around 2, the crowds weren't as bad anymore so it was easier to walk around the palace. We actually went straight for the main state rooms and didn't worry about too much else because now the girls were getting a little antsy and were getting anxious to finally seeing the hall of mirrors (which we've been talking about for several months). They were very impressed with the hall of mirrors, although they really were expecting to see a hall completely and utterly be-decked in mirrors. I can't say i blame them too much - i remember going there at the age of 15 and thinking the same thing. Anyway, it only took them a minute to adjust and fully appreciate the hall and all its magnificence and significance (they learnt how it was used by Louis XIV as well as how the Treaty of Versailles was signed there). We were all impressed with the Kings & Queens bedrooms and then we finally made our way out and back home. Versailles was a great day - 2nd time around as well. ;-)
I must go now. We have to get ready for Talia's bday tomorrow and... DISNEYLAND PARIS! (i haven't once seen the word 'EuroDisney' here - i don't think it caught on...)
Melbourne in 7 days! Woohoo!
P
Latest update from the Steinbergs In Paris...
Web photo album: http://picasaweb.google.com/steinbergpicasa
Blog online: http://steinbergsinisrael.blogspot.com
GoogleMaps Steinberg Israel Tour: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=101845790702321945414.00046ae3bb9b8c8d66f12
Skype Paul username: 'paulsteinberg'
Skype Steinberg Family username: 'prsteinberg'
Time: Melbourne Aust (AEST) minus -10 hours (e.g. Melb 10am=J'lem 1am)
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