Low Key in Pareeeee

*A photo of Matthieu..this is a garden at a chateau in St. Germaine (where the kids have school). We walked here one afternoon for a picnic during their lunch break.

*Me at Versailles....photo taken by my new friend Michael. The chateau is in the background.

I had a relaxing weekend in Paris. Friday night I went into Versailles to meet Kirsty for a drink. There is a great neighborhood in Versailles with pubs, cafes and restaurants...lots of young people hang out here on weekends apparently. We could hear the fireworks from the chateau, but the buildings blocked our view...Versailles is a great "little" town...very walkable with lots of shops, markets, etc. We drank cold cider, it was quite tasty. We visited for about 2 hours, and then I took the train back home before it got too late. Saturday I slept in a little bit, then went for my regular jog in Bougival. I made a big lunch to fill me for the day, then headed back to Versailles to hang out with a new friend I made, Michael. We walked in a new part of the garden I hadn't been to yet...and the chateau's garden had a lot of people in it...sitting on the grass, some people on canoes in the lake, taking photos, etc. The chateau plays music that we could hear from even so far away. It was a beautiful day. In fact this whole weekend Paris had great weather. Clear sunny skies, highest was 78 degrees, which is great for Paris! I received a package from Carolyn and Carly, which I LOVED! So I spent Saturday evening watching DVDs they sent me...Sunday I tried to sleep in but just couldn't do it, so I got ready fairly quickly, visited with Jerome and Virginie for a few minutes and then went into the city to attend church (mass) at NOTRE DAME! I decided not to go to the local church today because it requires me to drive and park, and I just didn't feel like doing that...and I kind of wanted to get a coffee in the city anyway. I went to the 11:30 mass at ND, and it was spectacular to attend. There are about 5 masses on Sunday, and I attended (unintentionally) the International mass, with the choir. WOW the choir was unbelieveable. I have never heard voices like that in person...opera voices. And they sang in French..and it was definitely NOT Lady of Lourdes style music. Haha. No offense, Ms. Ausman. The priest was African American (as was the one I saw in Pyla this summer) and he spoke in French, English and Spanish...but most of the mass was in French. It is the exact same order, etc. as a mass in the U.S...just the language difference. At this International mass they have programs with the readings in English to look at. The singing was very prominent...which made mass a little over an hour. A lot of incense was also used at the alter...often giving it a 'smokey' appearance, and I could smell the incense from back where I was sitting. Visitors can be in the church while mass is going on, they just have to stand to the side...so that was interesting. It's definitely more of an 'experience' than the optimal place to attend mass, so I will only return for mass there if I have company or want to see a special service.

Side note: I am still battling the cold, and toward the end of mass when I was standing in line for communion, I almost FAINTED! It was so bizarre, I got dizzy and stumbled and had to hold onto the chairs so not to fall. I didn't get light-headed or hot or pale, as when you faint...but it was like my equilibrium was off for about 10 seconds...I think it was a combination of my ears popping a lot (from blowing my nose...ugh) and heat (the church was a little warm) and hunger (I hadn't had food at this point). Anyways, thankfully I didn't faint, felt fine and left after communion to get a snack and return home.

I didn't stay in Paris this afternoon, despite the nice weather. I really wanted to clean my studio and hang some pictures because I don't have a lot of time during the week. I also went for my jog again before dinner. I plan to spend Wednesday afternoon in the city to see more things I haven't seen yet.

GWEN STEFANI MONDAY NIGHT!! TOMORROW! WOO WOO!!! You better believe I'm wearing some sexy jeans and my black boots and cute black shrug! A good reason to get dressed up, city girl style!

Also, a friend of mine from Delta Gamma in Idaho is studying in Italy this semester, SO it seems as though she will be visiting me for a weekend in October, and if we can find another good weekend I will fly to Italy for 2 nights and visit her in Torino! This is great, because we both have apartments to crash at...a.k.a free lodging ......can't beat that! So, I hope it works out, I'd really love the chance to see Italy at a low fare.