As I'm writing this I'm currently on the RER C to Versailles. After calling home through Viber last night after Moulin Rogue, I fall asleep in bed. It wasn't long until I had to run into the bathroom and throw up several times. Thanks to Alicia only drinking one glass of the champagne we got, and then leaving one filled and not drinking it. I pretty much had the bottle. So I'm feeling a little rough and a little dizzy.
I can now understand why people love Paris. It's really beautiful. There are heaps of homeless people sleeping the nights on the streets, annoyingly rude French people who are stuck up if you don't speak a word of French to them, a hell of a lot of graffiti and the metro stations look really run down. But they each have their own charm and adds to the character of the city. Right now there's a guy playing music on the train. It sounds fantastic, but they tend to go around asking for money because you heard the music. Piss off mate.
Okay so Alicia and I are sitting on the train waiting for it to depart back into Paris. Versailles was amazingly beautiful. There's some douchebag American who is sitting near me saying how she felt let down because the palace wasn't "convincing enough". She said that there were spots which weren't filled up and some in disrepair. Bitch it's a fucking palace that's hundreds of years old which was destroyed over 200 years ago and then repaired. Things like this make me realise that being a retarded dick is universal and that Americans are fucking loud mouthed ignorant bastards.
On the bright side, it was beautiful. I got something like 200+ photos. It was wonderful to finally go into the Hall of Mirrors after learning about it for so long in High School and University. It's such a massive and beautiful room that I had no idea I'd be so blown away by it.
I do have a few tips. As soon as you get off at the station, turn right once you go down the stairs and continue walking until you reach the first set of lights, then left and you'll see the palace. Or follow the crowds like we did, but a lot of people were confused. Secondly don't bother with tour groups. Do it solo or with friends because you'll get to see more and experience it at your own pace, while saving at least $50. You get a headset included in the price. Don't get the headset then go outside to the gardens because they'll just take it off you. Trust me I know, I almost got into an argument with the dickhead guard who told me to take it off because I was going outside. I said I'm not going outside if I have to take it off because I haven't done the tour yet and he demanded I removed it and started take it off me. I was angry with the wanker, I told him again to let go because I'm not going outside. Then the other security guard spoke French to him and backed off and said "That's okay", and I go "I know it's okay! I said I wasn't going outside with the headset!" and I walked off. The other thing is the trains. Ask and ask again. It's confusing which station it is to get off at and all the changes for the metro here, but ask your hotel how to get here and/or the metro attendants. Ask at every station which way to Versailles because it can get confusing and overwhelming. Mostly all the station staff speak English but it's nice to ask them in French "Parlez-Vous Anglais?" as they will seem to be more welcoming that you spoke their language. I've thanked a few people for their excellent English and it seems that they will go that extra mile if you've just complimented them. Also once on the RER C, find the signs to Versailles and stay on right until the end! Some stations have very similar names and got me worried I missed the stop, but you'll notice towards the end of the line, mostly tourists use this train. Some stations on the RER aren't on the metro map so it'll be a little confusing too. Quickly get on and off the trains and everything is fine. It's not like Melbourne where a train wait, here they don't. But they come every 3 minutes, and a single trip is €1.70 full fair.
In other news, the traffic lights here are amazing. You don't need to push a button to cross, they're all controlled by sensors. It's amazing.
Today I went to Alicia to Pere Lachaise cemetery near our hotel. About 5 minutes after we got there we were walking to find the grave of Jim Morrison. As soon as I said something to Alicia, she said "No!" and then a MASSIVE strike of lightening struck and it was pouring for a good 30 minutes. So bad that we had to stay still under one umbrella as crows flew around us. It was CREEPY AS FUCK. Everything about Paris is so cliché though.
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