Adventuring Outside of Paris

(I'm going to have to make this short since my computer is going to die really soon and I blew my converter--I don't know how exactly--please don't get mad Dad...)

So I just got back from a weekend trip to the Loire Valley. The Valley itself consists of about 5 or six major cities and is full of chateaux (or castles). We left Friday morning (and I wasn't late to our rendez-vous at 8:30 even though I got off on the wrong metro stop--thank goodness for maps!) and ended up getting stranded somwhere between the Valley and Paris. Our bus broke down on the highway and so we ended up eating lunch at a rest stop. We were supposed to eat at this amazing vinyard, but that didn't happen. Instead I had food that is worse than PLU UC food...whatever...I'm in France, right? Anyway, eventually we made it to the first castle, Chateau Chambourdand, where we met up with the other half of the group (who did get to eat in the vinyard....tsk tsk...) before touring the castle. It was AMAZING! I've NEVER seen a castle before, so it pretty much blew my mind. I could NOT stop taking pictures. It was HUGE! And it's small by French standards. I learned a lot about the history, but I've forgotten it all already lol! I got to see Francois Premier's quarters as well as Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette's quarters for when they lived there. It was kind of surreal! DaVinci also helped design the castle, including a double helix staircase--super cool! Anyway, we spent the night at a resort right next to the castle. It was kind of a crazy night (basically, you let a bunch of college students have pretty easy access to lots of gift shops full of wine and caos will ensue...oh France....), but I went to bed early and was able to sleep reasonably well. We had an amazing continental breakfast the next morning, during which I wanted to eat everything (I forgot how good Nutella is)!

We talked about more orientation stuff before heading off to Ambois. Another castle in a town with the same name. It is probably the most beautiful thing I have ever seen! I didn't want to leave. It is also the resting place of what remains of DaVinci since his original remains were destroyed along with most of the original castle during World War Two. Again, it was VERY surreal to be standing at his grave.

We made it back to Paris at about 8pm (it's about a 2.5 hour drive from the Valley back to Paris) and then I had dinner with a friend at a creperie close to school on the rue dageurre! I love that place! I'll be sure to post picture of it soon (along with some of the two castles!)

I'm headed to bed--hopefully off to see the Eiffel Tower tomorrow with friends (and get some grocery shopping in and find a new converter)!

Love from Paris!