Castles!

We left Paris in the morning to drive to Versailles. I was so, so, so excited to see the palace, but luck was not with me. The palace was closed because it was a strike day in France, so we were not able to see the inside or the chambers of Marie Antoinette. We ended up touring the gardens and renting some bikes to ride around them. Still pretty, but still disappointing. The fountains weren't even on! The strike had something to do with the changing of retirement benefits.

So much gold!

Fountain with the palace in the background

After Versailles we went and visited château de Chaumont. We had a guided tour. It was the guides first time doing a tour in English, but she spoke very well. I wish I knew more French history, I feel things would make a lot more sense here if I did. haha So many Kings and Queens and Dukes and such. Normally we have an option to chose a tour in French or English and I always take the French to practice, but there was only one guide this time. The castle was a mixture of Middle Age and Renaissance, both components were present. There a real drawbridge too!

We spent the night in Tours and walked around that town. It was a smaller town and we ended up eating at a pasta shop. They seemed excited to have Americans. They kept asking if the food was good! The next day we stopped at Château Azay-le-Rideau, this time with an audio guide tour.

I really loved the grounds of this castle. They were very lush and green. The next stop was to the town where I will be living: Pau. On the bus ride home I played the song I wrote called Missing You on the ukulele and sang into the microphone on the tour bus. Everyone loved it! Robina (The program director) said that it was best song that she had heard in 18 years of going on tours! I was so happy! I miss performing.