With a quick check on the computer to find the bus stop, I was on my way to Versailles. It was easy enough to get there, and so it seemed for the other hundreds and hundreds of tourists. The empty plaza I had seen on my first night, was full of tour busses and people, and vendors. I decided after seeing the lengthy line-up, to venture into the gardens before going inside the palace. So I pulled out my map and plotted a route towards the grand Canal.
Closures modified my plan along the way, but the beauty of the open areas made up for it. I eventually found my way back, after a visit to the neptune fountain, and decided making it in time to climb the stairs of the Eiffel Tower overrode the desire to pay full palace entry simply to see the Hall of Mirrors.
So I walked to the RER, bought a day pass, and rode line C directly to the tower, where I bought a drink and some fig newtons (everyone is always carrying some sort of snack, be it a baggette or something else.) Climbing the tower, I began to appreciate the amount of iron/steel that went into its construction. That and the heigh: unlike mostly all monuments seen until this point, the Eiffel Tower actually looked smaller in photos than real life. What a massive undertaking! Massive and completely elegant.
So I climbed and shot photos and waited in lines, and fully enjoyed the view from the top. What a view.. and so very, very tall.
And that was it. That’s how I ended my time in Europe.
- Well, of course I returned to Fabrice’s to pack my things, and am writing this as I lay awake on the floor in a corner of the airport (I rightfully decided to make the 2hr journey tonight rather than in the morning = early vs. late). But c’est finis; there is nothing left to say at this point… like the sun poking through the parisian clouds over the metropolis below, my time here has been full of special moments and unforgettable memories. When (not if) I return, I can only hope it is with someone I’ll be able to share it with.
One of my last French encounters was with a woman and her daughter on the train as I made my way towards the airport – When asking about my country and city of origin, the mother remarked how her daughter, who was planning on transferring to UBC next year, had been telling her earlier that day about the weather in Vancouver.. when I said our summers are warm, and our beaches are wonderful, she was completely surprised.
An excellent goodbye, and a perfect segue.
Vancouver, Home, here I come.
