Back to Versailles!

I have been here a full month! My first weekend, I went to Versailles. Unfortunately, I was unable to go in the chateau... but not this time. I finally went inside. I accompanied my friends Sarah and Mary for the day. It was really great. We had beautiful weather, a yummy french-style picnic, and we were inside a gorgeous castle... um, you get the picture!

Just a little side note: My amigos here are from all over the world. I have friends from the US, Wales, Ireland, Holland, Germany, Scotland, and France of course! My friend Mary is from Holland. Funny story: Her name really isn't Mary, but no one can pronounce her real name, so she told us to just call her "Mary." Hey, it works! :)

We arrived at the chateau around lunch time. Sarah and I had packed a lunch, but Mary needed to stop by a local bakery to pick up some quiche. On our way to the bakery, we saw this big beautiful cathedral in the center of Versailles. Since we were so close, we walked inside and took a couple pictures.

One really great thing about being an au pair in France is that your visa is a student visa. Technically all French au pairs are students, since we're required to take French language classes. One of the perks of the student visa, is that some places then have free admission for European students... and the chateau is one of them. I really do love all the freebies here! After visiting the church, we attempted to go into the chateau from the back entrance. I had been told that there is virtually no line from the back of the chateau. They were right, there wasn't.... but it was going to cost like 8 euro just to enter through the garden. We had to walk the long trek back to the front, but we got in for free... so it was worth it!

About halfway through the tour of the house, we walked into one of the ballrooms, and there was the most hideous thing I have ever seen! There was some modern Japanese art exhibit that was being displayed at the chateau. It was such an awful mixture of beautiful classical paintings, and Pokemon-looking figures. The two just didn't belong together.

We left Versailles and headed for Paris to meet up with some of our other friends to see Let Me In (Laissez Moi Entre). I had been very excited to see the film. I think the most recent vampire films/television shows have changed the public view on the image of vampires. Most of the other girls were pretty terrified. Side note: Chloe is fantastic!

Sorry I haven't really written this week. It has been pretty hectic. I have a very interesting blog for tomorrow... so get excited! Also... my internet is being slow again... I'll have to upload pictures tomorrow.

Last note:  I am leaving for Ireland tomorrow night to sing with my friends from University of Minnesota-Duluth. I am so pumped!