Versailles, and many pictures soon!

Hey! So I might be procrastinating homework....

And I'm a little hopped up on French coffee so forgive me. There was the most adorable Shitzu puppy at the coffee shop with this guy and I wanted to pet it really badly and I kept watching it. But people don't ask to pet other people's pets here and I didn't want to be awkward, so I kept watching it.

So what you've missed: I went to Versailles, it was lovely. I got to see the whole chateau, gardens, and then Marie Antoinette's hamlet. I don't know how much my faithful readers know about Marie Antoinette, so I'll tell you the story behind the Hamlet because it makes the visit cooler.

So Marie Antoinette was a Polish princess, and like most royal marriages it was arranged to expand the influence of both families. She was killed in the revolution (famous last words: let them eat cake) and is very famous for it. Marie was a bit crazy and built her own idealistic Peasant village complete with a pond, (fake lighthouse included), colored sheep, peasant actors, acres of sunflowers, and roaming peacocks. She never wore the same dress twice.

So it was really cool to see the little world she created for herself. She was the only queen who didn't live in Versailles while the French government was established there.

I also got to see the mansions built for the mistresses to the kings, one of which is now used for the most important diplomatic visitors (you guessed it, Barack Obama stayed there). It was beautiful, with perfect gardens in the back, and pink marble. There were at least 4 couples getting their wedding pictures done there while we were visiting.

The gardens were also beautiful. We were lucky and got to see most of the fountains running. It is impossible to run all of the fountains at once. When the king lived at Versailles, servants would turn on the fountains as he came near them. Okay, so no more history lessons, I promise.

I also started classes. I have classes all day tuesdays and thursdays, and none on MWF, which is a long day. Hopefully I will be able to make a good schedule where I can finish my homework on those off days. All my classes seem really tough, but I think I will be able to manage.

Miss you all!

XOXO
Allison

Bonjour!

It was a rainy and cold day today in Paris!

I had my first class with my professor Emmanuel. She is really nice and I think I will learn a lot in her class. But now I have to do homework! (Actually I finished mine already. :) )

Then, I had lunch with my friends at a cafe called Le Weekend. Le Weekend is a little cafe near the school that is not very expensive so we have been there a couple times. I had a jambon de Pays: country ham sandwich. The bread here is delicious so it doesn't take much else. In Paris, they really like to eat ham and eggs. I don't know why.

Then, I signed up for this photography session where we could learn to take great pictures. Seeing as my younger sibling was given all the artistic vision genes, this was necessary. It was interesting and it meant I got to walk around Paris taking more pictures which is never bad! One picture someone took of me during this expedition is up top!

Well, I am going to start getting ready for bed; I have to leave early tomorrow to go to Versailles!!

Whew! I've been busy!

Hey!

It's been a busy last few days. Yesterday, we had a taste testing session. I was trying to be good and take a bite of everything. I have to say, no matter where I am, icky cheese is not my thing. Nevertheless, I took a bite, and put the rest on my plate. I did enjoy the dessert section.

They also let us try a bunch of wines, that were great. They kept bringing around more and more, I thought it wouldn't end. I wanted to try all the wines as well, so I would be really drinking my last wine before the new one came.

After the food session, we were sent in groups of 3 to discover a neighborhood. We were given directions and questions to answer. 2 people and I were assigned to the Jardins des Plantes, a garden in the 5th Arrondisement (Paris is separated into sections called Arrondisements) The gardens were cute, but what was really fun was the neighborhood next to the Gardens. It was so cute, with a small cobblestone street and chic stores along the sides. It was perfect. My friends and I passed and interesting bar, and were peering inside. We wanted to see the inside so we tried to open the door but no luck.

Out comes the bartender, who lets us in. He asks us where we're from and we say America and he proceeds to pour us shots..... as in for free. They were mint malt with vodka. Being a responsible spender, and a college student I would never say no to a free shot. So we're having a good time and taking pictures. Then he says "another!" and we were like ehhhh no we couldn't do that. Well he pours it anyways, and we drink that one as well, and head out the door to finish our school project. It was awesome, although the end of our project is questionable.

Today we all saw a French movie called "Paris" and it was very good. Then we all went to a creperie for dinner and it was delicious of course.

Now I'm exhausted so I'm off to bed.
XOXO!