A very interesting day. And a break for you—not too many pictures today.

On today’s agenda was the Palace of Versailles. Taking the metro. It started out easy . . .

So, we get on the 1 train, no problem. Alex had given Erika a iledeFrance mobilities—navigo easy pass. I purchased a one-day pass in the station. We get to our stop, La Defense Grande Arch. So far, so good. We exit the 1 train platform.

Now our troubles start . . . ; ). It turns out Erika’s pass is only good in Paris (which we didn’t know) and I guess we had left the city limits (which we didn’t realize) and the L train is a different line (which we did kinda realize). I enter the L train platform expecting Erika to be right behind me and voila, Erika’s pass is denied entry onto the L platform. Sounds easy. Erika thinking her pass has run out of funds goes to the ticket machine and proceeds to reload her card. Again, sounds easy. She is denied entry a second time. Erika starts the process of reloading the card again. I’m on the other side of the turnstile. Watching, waiting. After being denied entry the third time, Erika does what any self respecting east coast, transit savvy American would do, she goes through the turnstile with the man in front of her. I’m still watching. Immediately upon entering, an undercover metro policeman comes up to us . . . I think you can figure most out from here. Talking to. Fine. Purchase correct ticket. I try to take a picture of this and get a proper scolding. I was laughing so hard, I think he was thinking of fining me.

We finally make it to Versailles. Exit the turnstile no problem.

We have a leisurely 15 minute walk to the palace. It’s lovely! Weather nice. Town charming. Tons of markets, butchers and bakers along the way.

We made it!

Phase II of our interesting day.

We get in line—a long one. After about 15 minutes, I ask the man behind me, “how has the line been moving?” He lets me know that his timed ticket was for 12:30PM and since it is now almost 1PM, he says, “not very good.” I then ask a few other people if they all have tickets and it turns out that they do. We are in the wrong line.

I ask the Palace of Versailles security woman (plenty of security) what line should we be in. She directs us to another line.

We stand in our second line for about ten minutes and start to realize once again that this is the wrong line—another timed ticket line.

We finally get in the correct line. We are in line for about 15 – 20 minutes, now five or ten deep from purchasing our tickets. We notice lots more security and now police and even the green beret authorities are now present. They are kinda rushing around at this point talking in walkie-talkies, pacing back and forth—to and fro. Erika and I say to each other, I wonder if something is going on?

We are practically next in line to purchase our tickets and they start evacuating the palace, gardens and entire property. There must be two or three thousand people heading towards the entrance now being used as an exit.

Don’t worry though, we are now safe and sound back in our apartment. Gonna call it a day. Phew, what a day it was. And we learned on the metro ride back that there had been a bomb scare. Apparently the second in three days. Luckily it was not and no one was hurt. Kudos again to the authorities

Tomorrow we are hoping for less interesting. George Pompidou Center in the morning and croissant/pain au chocolat baking class in the afternoon. Both within walking distance of the apartment.

Signing out for today. Miss you all, but having a great time. Next week to Mike’s!!