Trophywife007

I'm so enjoying your delightful trip report, benitakaren, not to mention virtually meeting your family, as well. What fun! I think we all want to tag along next time! Thanks for writing.

benitakaren

I am having more fun and enjoyment knowing my family is traveling along with us as well as my new fodors friends. I appreciate all your comments. Thank you.

And now to 28, how did I know you would want first dibs on the Coco. All I can say is play the lottery play the lottery. I will however let you hold and pet her at Christmas

And now to my daughters boyfriend. Just wait till you see us come of the plane. Have your camera ready,

and to my daughters boyfriends mother glad you are following along

Off to Versailles

simpsonc510

I'm glad I didn't visit Chanel a month ago while in Paris. I would be in serious trouble. I'm a real shopper, when in the right frame of mind. Sounds lie so much fun!

Scootoir

Looking forward to Versailles.

Nikki

Dancing at Galeries Lafayette, desserts better than spraying Redi-Whip into the mouth, photos with Coco Chanel, family who actually read your trip report and enjoy it.

Best trip ever.

benitakaren

Versailles or as 62 just said, Versailles is a bitch. took the RER, then the usual follow the crowds walk. We had tickets for a 9:30 English tour. Where oh where are the signs. There is no one to give directions. It is a chaotic free for all. we saw a signs for I do not know what but it looked good so we followed the crowd. Actually it was the entrance to the gardens. Ticket salesperson said we needed to go to entrance A. So back we went to the front and saw the B and figured A was on other side with hoards of people to get across. Then 62 saw this group of people coming down a side staircase on the side of the building. I thought they must be Americans and then 62 said she thought they were carrying papers like we had printed at home I said let's just join their group and if it is in French we can at least get in the door. When we finally walked in I asked the guide if this was the English tour. He asked rather sternly what time our tour was. We told him and he said come in. It is so easy to be completely ignorant when in a foreign country. especially when walking around in a daze with stupid on your forehead.

The tour was absolutely wonderful. Went to many rooms that general admission does not see. Up and down staircases and down long corridors. The end of the tour we were taken into the opera hall. It is so beautiful and sat down for about 15 minutes while the guide lectured. It is very small holds 600 people and they are starting to do concerts there now. well worth the 7 euro. Lasted about two hours
Then went on the regular kiss of death walk thru to the hall of mirrors.

benitakaren

We are ready to leave and it is raining croissants and macarons (we are in France) and we bundle up with headgear purses under coat umbrellas overhead. looked like a couple of Mrs Buckets or Bouquets ( love that English show) and head outside. I spied a food sign and I wisked 62 in that direction. Of course it is upstairs. back wall of sandwiches, etc take your food and wait in long line to pay and then find a table in about seven different rooms to eat in. the sign said they were lunch rooms. about five or six tables in each room.

By the time we finished lunch it was still raining and we head for the garden We rented A golf cart for two hours. Drove around like lar de dars. the fountains were on and music was playing. Went to the grand Trianon and Marie' joint. 62 wanted me to drive faster but my foot was on the floor. They give you a map but if you drive the cart where you are not supposed to go, the car stops and you have to back up and start down a different route. we were actually gone about 2 hours 10 minutes. They prorate the third hour.

Finally got out of dodge and went into the trinket shops on way to train but since we wanted a bathroom we went to Micky d's. I read all the signs and thought I was going to the.right window to order. The kid would not take our order and sent us across the room to the order kiosk. Who knew mickeys was so automated. Ordered and a slip shot out Went back to kid paid and got a paid slip and went to another line to pick up food. Personally I think standing in line, ordering and paying would have been much quicker and easier. Toilettes were so crowded we skipped the break.

The metro back was very crowded. Of course we made a stop at the junk shop right next door to our apartment. He knows us by now. Sorry to say. we are now drinking. Not much food available here on the ranch so will probably go out soon.

lauren_s_kahn

The expression for "It's raining cats and dogs" in French is "It is raining like a pissing cow." I thought I would enlighten you for next time.

I loved sharing your trip with you.

TDudette

They give you a map but if you drive the cart where you are not supposed to go, the car stops and you have to back up and start down a different route. .........Not a bad idea!

kerouac

Actually, "<i>il pleut comme vache qui pisse</i>" is used mostly in rural areas now. The more common term is "<i>il tombe des cordes</i>" -- "It's raining ropes."

jayhawkx2

Just found this oh-so-excellent TR -- thank you, 66 and 62. I am taking my sister to Paris next fall (she's never been, while I'm the veteran). We're in our early 50s and I hope we have half the fun you both are having.

Bokhara2

What a hoot! I'm loving your writing 66. And meeting all the other players in this terrific family saga. Thanks for making my Monday morning!

lauren_s_kahn

I did know the other translation of "It's raining cats and dogs" but the one I chose was funnier. I have heard people use both of them in Paris.

benitakaren

we were going to just go to a cafe for dinner and stopped by la fables de la fountains. It used to be all fish which was excellent now is under new management. They still have fish which is what we had. It was expensive but delicious. Went to pharmacies on way home and our next door shop 62 needed a small lighted et. The owner really really loves to see us walk in his store. Home to bed.
Up early for Giverny.

benitakaren

Forgot to mention that our waiter from last night was from maybe the carribean and he spoke so quickly with a French accent that 62 and I never understood a word he said but he was so handsome that 62 said if he bought a plate of s--- she would eat it.

benitakaren

Also did some damage at the pharmacy last night. Why does everything look so appetizing. So many beautiful lotions and potions. Everything is screaming at me to purchase. 62 thinks she is better at not buying than me. But not by much.

simpsonc510

Are you buying an extra suitcase to get it all home?

Ralstonlan

I think a new LV suitcase would nicely carry all of your goodies!

simpsonc510

LV.... yes, of course.

Laugh

OH NO... LV luggage....66 must be off of her game...I can't believe she didn't think of that. That is one thing that 66 doesn't have in her collection. (scary note, I believe that 62 and 66 are headed to LV on Tuesday) I noticed that 66 failed to mention that she has an addiction to luggage. With that said, while chatting on the phone yesterday, 66 told me that she thinks she might need to go buy an additional suitcase. Please keep in mind that her JUMBO suitcase aka "Clifford" was only half full and also contained an empty oversized collapsable piece of luggage for all of the "treasures" that she "might" find!
Heads up 62...I feel a repeat of two years ago about to hit. The last minute of our last day in Paris, we were frantically buying TWO yes TWO of the largest suitcases that we could find to accommodate all of 66's S$!T!!!!! GOOD LUCK and please don't hold 66's actions against me. I know first hand how 66 can "suck you in to her crazy adventures".

Oh sweet mercy 66 I know your philosophy. If one bottle of lotion or potion is good, why not but three or four of each?


I'm on my way to the dealership to purchase a cargo van