Fountainebleau, reunions and upcoming fun stuff

Hey all!

So Fountainebleau was amazing! It is just as big as Versailles, but with practically no tourists. I also thought it was more beautiful then Versailles and homier, if a chateau as big as 2 street blocks can be homey. The gardens are also really beautiful, and after getting some fabulous sorbet (pineapple and mango, if you're interested) Jonathan and I walked through all of them. In a bunch of them we had the whole garden to ourself, so it felt like we actually lived there and were just taking a nice afternoon stroll. On an interesting historical note, this was the hunting lodge for the aristocracy and Napolean, and Napolean actually signed his abdication here. The table where he signed it is still here, and I took a picture of it. As my history teacher would say, tres cool.

We got back from the trip around 7ish, and I got to see my friend Kathy! It was a fun reunion. She has been in Spain and Greece since I left her, and she just got back from Pamplona where she attended the Running of the Bulls. She didn't actually run, but she attended a lot of festivities there. On a positive note, she said that all of the Americans were well behaved there and actually knew where to go. Apparently the Australians were badly behaved and after awhile she started telling people she was Greek instead (which she is, besides being Australian). I take a perverse pleasure in learning of tourists that are worse behaved than Americans.

So we went out to dinner at this great restaurant in the Marais. I had duck with the most delicious chocolate gateau. Kathy got the creme brulee which was divine. The people there were super friendly and spoke English to us and asked us where we were from. I love hanging out with Kathy because I love to see people's impressions, they are always interested to meet Australians, not really Americans, maybe they see a lot of us.

On a weather related note, today was hot!! The first hot day since I got here. I didn't think it would happen, but there it is. Is there still a drought in Florida? I wish I could send y'all some of our rain.

And yea, tomorrow is Bastille Day!! The parade is going down the Champs Elysees tomorrow, the soldiers march and I think the president or the prime minister is in it. There will be tons of fireworks by the Eiffel Tower at night and partying all day. Celebrate back at home and have an eclair or something. Or head over to Chez Pierre, I bet there will be a fun party there, or, if you are reading this from Louisiana, head to your nearest French restaurant. Trust me, I bet it'll be fun.

Love to everyone, Em