Day Four in Paris

(This was Sunday, March 15) Today was Stake Conference for Staci and Rob. Stake Conference, for those of you who don't know, is a term in the LDS church for a few different ward congregations to get together once every six months for lessons. I was a little bit bummed that I didn't get to see where they go to church every week (I wanted to see if it was the same one I went to 15 years ago when I came to Paris to visit our foreign exchange student.) But the really cool thing was that Stake Conference was at the Palais des Congrès de Versailles. In other words, it was just across the street from the Palace of Versailles. (Collective sigh - oh, darn, so sad for you Erin.) So we took the RER to Versailles. I haven't quite figured out the difference between the metro and the RER. I know they both have separate lines throughout Paris. I think the RER is more like a train? It is double decker. But quite a bit of it was actually above ground, although some was underground like I said before. It was definitely more confusing than the metro. I could figure out the metro. I couldn't figure out the RER. Neither could Staci. We couldn't even figure out how to purchase a stinkin' ticket. But we asked the man at the counter, and that helped me realize that I understand French better than I originally thought, because I understood what he told us. But as we waited for the next train, we realized we didn't know which train we were supposed to take - each line has four or five trains that come through. So we went around and started asking people. Keep in mind we were two women wearing long dresses. So we asked a woman how to get to Versailles in French...she looked us up and down and asked, "Are you Americans? Are you going to Stake Conference?" And we were so thrilled - yay, here's a Mormon, and she's going to help us get to Versailles! (Staci and I are both directionally challenged.) So we introduced ourselves. Her name is Sarah, and she is from Orem, (my friend Christine pointed out how ironic it is that I was halfway around the world in an RER station and happened to meet someone from Orem. So funny.) and she is here taking classes at the Sorbonne for five months. She loves French as much as I do. And she blogs! I have officially become her new blog stalker. Her pictures are WAY better than mine. Her blog talks all about her experiences in Paris. So now that I am back home I can live vicariously through her, which, not so ironically, is the name of her blog. Thanks, Sarah. Anyway, we had a great visit with her on the RER.

I took pictures and video of the train and tracks for my boys. I also saw the Eiffel Tower, in full, and got photos (through the dirty plexiglass window, of course), and I got pictures of a hot-air balloon that I knew the boys would like. When I got back to the house and was telling Rob about it, he said, "You are the first person I have ever heard of who talks about riding the RER with excitement, like "I got to go on the RER.'"

It took us over an hour, close to an hour and a half to get to Versailles. Conference itself was fine. Between the microphone reverberating/sound bouncing around the hall, and the talking/noise making children, I wasn't able to understand a whole lot. I got the gist though. And the main speaker was Elder Robert C. Oaks of the 70 (Staci originally thought it was Elder Oaks of the 12, but it wasn't. That's okay though.). He spoke about strengthening our families, paying our tithing, and having faith.

Afterward, Staci, Sarah and I walked across the street to the Palace of Versailles. We didn't actually pay to go inside. I have already been there before, albeit 15 years ago, but I didn't feel like I was missing out on anything by not going in again. But the gardens are free to walk through. So we saw the gardens, which are symmetrical in design, and the man-made lake, and l'orangerie, which was not half as beautiful as it was last time I visited. It is March, so there aren't any flowers in bloom. So it was a little bit plain, but it was still fun to be there and for the three of us to walk around and talk. I really liked Sarah. What a nice girl. (Plus, she worked with my cousin Kallie's husband a couple of years ago! What a small world.) Anyway, the three of us sat down on some stairs and ate sandwiches that Staci had packed, and then we walked back to the RER station and got on a train right away. And then just behind us the sister missionaries and an investigator got on the train! So all six of us squished into a seating area, and we talked and laughed and got to know each other as we rode the train home.

As soon as we got home, I changed into my sweats and put my feet up (my aching legs!). Rob made us waffles with fresh fruit syrup for lunch, and for dinner tonight Staci is making boeuf bourguignon (a recipe she got from a woman in the ward). So much good food! I'm having such a wonderful time! (And I've told Rob & Staci thank you like a million times. I hope they know how much I appreciate them.)

Stake Conference - we got there late (it took 90 minutes to get there!) so we had to sit in the balcony

The outside of the Palais des Congrès at Versailles The front of Versailles palace

The back of Versailles palace

L'orangerie, one of the gardens

Sarah, me, Staci. Yes, I am gargantuan.At the RER stationThe Eiffel Tower, photo taken from the RER!