A Southern Girl in Paris Part 3: Versailles and Paris by Night

We take a lot of things for granted as a general lot. Comfortable beds. Air conditioning. Water. While I slept well at the hotel, the mattress was the equivalent of sleeping on the floor. Additionally, there is no air conditioning most places so sleeping with the window wide open at night was the go-to plan for air. Thankfully, there wasn’t humidity or the bugs we have in the South and I’m a big fan of open-window sleeping anyway so that was pleasant. The water thing, however, was not fun. I remembered this from Ireland, but we take getting water anywhere and everywhere in the States for granted. You can’t just pop in somewhere and ask for a cup of water. There are no water fountains or water dispensers in buildings. I spent a lot of money on just getting water and even resorted to carrying on around and filling it up from the bathroom before we left in the mornings.

Small Town Charm

So, after a water stop it was time to head to Versailles! We had to make a couple of metro changes but that gave us a little time to wander around a smaller town on the way onto our final destination. I’ll admit the first couple of hours I was in Paris the first day it was a little lackluster. It reminded me way too much of New York City. And, while I love New York, I enjoy smaller areas and places that aren’t so – crowded. One reason I loved Chicago so much! Give me the culture and the holes in the wall and the charm. Leave the cigarettes and the masses and the rudeness somewhere else. So this little excursion really made me so happy! We had about twenty minutes to walk around this little town – quiet, charming… and very French.

We caught our next train and headed towards Versailles. I had just asked A earlier that day if people didn’t play music in the metro like other cities and she said they did, we just hadn’t seen any yet. On the way to Versailles, two guys got on the train and started playing some polka-type accordion tunes. That would happen a lot – I’d ask about something and it would pop up later in the day. It would also happen a lot that people ask you for money in Paris, a lot. Another big city trait. The line to get into the Palace of Versailles was long but it moved pretty quickly. Thankfully, A had an amazing idea to get a baguette and cheese so we could snack while we waited.

The Palace of Versailles

It was 16 euro for the tour of the palace and access to part of the gardens. Upon entering, you can rent an audio guide or you can have savvy friends that suggest you use the Rick Steves Europe app that will walk you through the whole palace, room by room, and give you great details about what you are touring. And, it’s free! So if you are traveling to Europe and plan on visiting some historic sites, this is a great tool to download before your trip.

The Palace is just gorgeous – it was definitely worth the visit. The whole tour took up about half of our day and we headed back towards town later in the afternoon – but of course only after stopping at Starbucks (which I feel the need to say I only drank ONCE the whole time I was there. I deserve a pat on the back just for that accomplishment). On our way back, we made another stop off at a smaller area and found a park to sit in for awhile and watch some kiddos skateboard and scooter (is that a word? I don’t know).

Hillsong France

Once we got back into Paris we headed down into the area where Hillsong Paris is located. Interestingly enough you may find yourself wandering through the area of town that is home to Paris’s gay culture. And, you may find yourself staring at some baguettes that are shaped into… well, use your imagination. The church service was beautiful – it was a very energetic atmosphere and the guest speaker, Christine Caine, was so powerful. I still want to dedicate a blog to the message she delivered about passion. It is so God-like for Him to place these opportunities and moments in our lives when we already have issues pressing on our heartstrings.

Sacré Cœur

After the service we headed back to Montmartre to visit Sacré Cœur. A said while all the tourists are down under the Eiffel Tower in the evenings the Parisians are on the steps of Sacré Cœur overlooking all of Paris. Again, pictures cannot begin to show the beauty. For miles you can see all of Paris and beyond – shimmering lights and the night sky lit up a deep shade of pink from the street light’s reflection. It is something made of dreams. We just sat for a long time and listened to people singing and music playing. It was in so many of those moments I just kept remembering how fortunate I was and how I wanted to soak up the opportunity and the moments and keep them in me forever.

And, This is Where The Night Gets Interesting…

(you can stop reading here, Dad)

“We can walk home from here,” A says as we are getting ready to leave the cathedral.

We headed towards the back of the church and started walking towards some stairs that would take us back down to the street (I should mention there are a thousand steps to walk up to Sacré Cœur but how else do you burn off pastries and cheese?) We were the only ones at the back of the church except for two older folks and a carload of guys parked at the end of the cobblestone walkway.

We slowed down a little bit and looked at each other.

“Maybe we shouldn’t walk this way.”

“Yeah, I think that’s a good idea.”

It was that moment we turned around and then the car horn started honking. We kept walking. A guy gets out of the car and starts hollering (it’s a word) at us in French. We kept walking. He continues to yell and wave his arms. We finally got around other people and took another way back down to the street.

“That was not gonna end well.”

Once we reached the street, we started walking toward the metro. And, on the way to the metro meant walking through the streets where some young Frenchmen were gathered. And, that meant getting the French equivalent of cat-called.

“Belle filles!”

I’m pretty sure they called us the French word for b*tches when we didn’t stop but I joked to A I should have turned around and in my most country voice said something like, “What did you just say? My Daddy wouldn’t like the way you’re talking to me – he’ll come over here and give you a good whoopin’!”

They probably would have turned and ran the other way.

It gets better…

(really don’t read this part, Dad)

We got on the metro and somehow we got off on the wrong stop. I honestly can’t remember what we were trying to do – I think we were going to see something else and A thought we were getting off at the right stop. Anyway, we walk up to the street after getting off the train and I think we both immediately knew we shouldn’t be there.

There were lots of men scattered around the street – some in huddles, some alone. When we started walking across the road I could feel the stares and it wasn’t just an innocent thing. You know how you get that bad feeling in your gut and it’s heavy? That’s how I felt. I got goose bumps and little blurts of electricity in my nerves. Some of the men started walking towards us as we were walking around on the sidewalk.

“I don’t think we need to be here.”

“Yeah.”

“Seriously – let’s just get back on the metro.”

“I think you’re right.”

And as fast as we had walked across the street we were back again and on the train.

That’s when A says, “Okay, don’t be mad at me but that was the red light district.”

“What!”

“I didn’t know until we got off!”

Lord.

Third Time of Danger is a Charm…

We got off at our stop and as soon as we got off the train there was the worst smell ever. It smelled like a hospital. We headed up the escalator and that’s when I saw this homeless man with his pants down around his ankles. I couldn’t see exactly what he was doing but I could tell he was doing something with his leg and his hands.

“What was that guy doing?” I asked A.

“He was shooting up, Patty!”

#sheltered

 So ends the second exciting and adventurous day in Paris… Part 4 coming soon!

until next time… xoxo, patty lauren