Balloon Dog at Versailles

Today, we braved the metro and after some initial confusion, we made it from Paris to Versailles. After we suffered through the hour long ticket line, we walked up to the entrance and there it was, a huge Jeff Koons piece! I recognized it immediately, and to my very pleasant surprise, his most famous works were on exhibit throughout the entire chateau (including Michael Jackson and Bubbles! If you haven't seen this, Google it!). It was surreal to see modern art mixed in amongst the overwhelming opulence of Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette's digs. After Versailles, we came back to the city,took a recommendation from Rick Steves, and hit Rue Cler. The pedestrian street is full of produce stands, cafes, wine, and cheese shops. We had an amazing meal and picked up some fresh bread and cheese for back at the George V. It was a perfect last day in France!

Money ain't a thing

Apparently if you are with Janet Jackson you are canonized as a Saint in France...

Flying Buttresses

Notre-Dame (Our Lady) is a breathtaking gothic masterpiece. The stained glass windows, some dating back to the 13th century, are like nothing I have ever seen. We moved to the George V today, the crown jewel of the Four Seasons in Europe, and I am very pleased with the large antique chandelier over my bed! I think it might be fashion week here, or perhaps they are gearing up for fashion week, but Nina Garcia was spotted, and there are models everywhere!

Breakfast of Champions

We dedicated our entire day to shopping. Highlights included Galeries Lafayette and Dehillerin. It was a good thing I had such a wholesome breakfast. It rained today, but no one messes up their ensemble by wearing a hood or a hat here...strictly umbrellas or nothing at all. This is our last night at the Westin and we were invited to a big party they are having here to celebrate the relaunch of The Westin Paris. The dress code = chic...I'm a lot of things, but "chic" isn't one of them so I decided to pass. Tomorrow we move to the George V!

Centre Georges Pompidou

Architecturally speaking, France's museum of modern art is one of the most interesting buildings I have ever seen! The designers' idea was to turn the building "inside out". It is truly unique in every way. I think I read the building inspired a Nike shoe. You might have to Google that... We also hit Sacre Coeur and the artsy Montmartre district. The views were breathtaking from winding streets of this "bohemian" community. We finished the night off at Harry's New York Bar which was supposedly a legendary watering hole for F Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway. All I can say is that we had some great Whiskey!

The view from my room

It's pretty quiet on Sunday in the city of light. None of the shops or stores were open, so we spent most of the day wandering around the banks of the Seine, the Jardin des Tuileries, and Champs-Elysees. There is a scam that people run in the parks where they pretend they found a lost wedding ring, offer it to you, then ask for money. It's the most elaborate panhandling scheme I have ever seen, but it definitely catches people off guard. I've decided croque monsieurs were put on this earth especially for me. Jet lag is setting in...Au revoir

Marc Chagall...GOAL!!!

Today was pretty fun. My brother and sister forgot they hated each other and I was able to hear my own thoughts! We went to the Musee d' Art Moderne and the Musee d' Marc Chagall. Marc Chagall is clearly an artistic genius without question! We ate at China Park again for dinner...if you actually find something my sister likes it pays to just repeat. Johnny and I went out to the pubs and watched soccer with the rest of Nice. Germany won tonight, but I was cheering for Turkey. I was fun to yell "goal" with 50 other people! GOAL!!!

Day 11

It took 11 days of traveling with my family for a total and complete meltdown to occur. I needed this giant glass of wine at the end of my day. Without going into details, my brother and sister almost killed each other right on the promenade des anglais. People were staring, I wanted to hide. As I type this they are fighting over who is better, Obama or Hillary...hello?! Christ on a bike! I wish I had my own room!

My view

This is what my view looked like for most of the day. The other view I had was from about 50 feet in the air when Johnny and I went parasailing. The view alone was worth the 30 euro! Later we ate dinner at a place called China Park. The food was so good that I actually worked up the courage to try a piece of my brother's duck. I blocked all of the images of mallards and little ducklings out of my head and I just chewed. It was my first time and it might be my last.

Nice is nice

So far the French people have lived up to all of the stereotypes in every way. They are topless on the beach, rude to the loud Americans...too cool for school in general. This is our hotel and the cool thing is the French Ironman race is taking place right in front of us. Cheering the runners and cyclists on has been fun...I could eat bagettes on the beach all day. Its beautiful!