Where should I start...
I arrived in Paris on Tuesday morning and by Friday I had worn myself out. Doing what I do best... doing too much! Thursday night I decided Friday I was going to lay low and take the day off from sight seeing. At the last minute I decided that Friday the weather was optimal and to just go. So I got myself together around 11ish and was on my way.. with the hopes of being at the palace by 12:30pm. With the knowledge that most people spend an ENTIRE day there and most travel books recommend arriving around 9am.
A little back story.... Unfortunately I purchased a camera literally on the way to the airport and then once in the airport the battery and charger decided not to work. By Friday I was tired of snapping pics with the heavy and bulky ipad.
So on my way to versailles I had to come out of the train station to switch trains.. Once I was on the street I said hmmm maybe I should walk to the shop this Frenchman recommended for me to find a "battery." An hour and a half later I was hot, still had no battery and running out of time to see the palace.
Well its 2pm.. just arriving to the palace. Oh and did I mention my feet were done at this point in the trip. cheap Steve madden boots almost spoiled my entire trip. Never again will I buy cheap shoes.
The lady at the counter says.. You are running out of town to see everything you want to see. me: "I got this."(in my head of course) By the time I get a ticket.. stand in line to use a restroom its 240pm. I left my house at close to 11am.. SMH.
I'm hot, my feet hurt, and the castle has the nerve to be filled with THOUSANDS of tourists. I can barely pay attention to anything in the palace and need an escape route fast. Then I get hungry.... So not only did i spend 18 euro on a castle I know longer care about.. my feet hurt and now I'm hungry and pay 6 euro for a sandwich.. MY. DAY. IS GOING. DOWNHILL. FAST...
At this point I remember a simple message I read on a blog about traveling alone.. Always stay optimistic.
So i decide to ditch the palace and head to the gardens. Air, sunshine and a place to sit. I find a nice spot next to another elderly, weary traveler and just rest. I sit there for at least 30 minutes. And this everyone is the beauty of traveling alone.
I'm sure at this point I would've permanently injured a friendship or angered a family member with my mood, attitude and poor time management decisions.
The gardens were everything and more that day. It did hurt my ego and pocket that they were free and what I enjoyed most.
Traveling alone is not always glorious and epic but the moments of peace and solitude were refreshing. I picked so many different spots in the gardens and enjoyed stillness.
Here are a few pics from the gardens of the palace of Versailles. I highly recommend visiting the gardens if you visit Paris. I loved it.
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