Rural Versailles

Versailles's grounds cover over 2 000 acres of land and beyond the Palace there is a totally different atmosphere :) The crowds just seem to disappear a bit ;)

On Musical Fountains days (summer Tuesdays and weekends) you have to pay extra to get into the gardens :( So a nice stroll through the gardens towards the Trianons was out of the question + I wasn't too confident that we would've had the time for all of that because on top of it all it was a Fireworks Saturday (extra ticekt again) so the gardens close around 6PM already... That left us with the petit train - the little train which is a hop-on, hop-off kind of shuttle service between the Palace and the Trianons. (I must say here that a lot of people didn't get the concept and just stayed in the train for the whole round (you're only allowed one round) and only got off for 2 seconds to take some photos when it stopped, confusing people at those stops who wanted to board the train :D You could see it especially when we came back no one got off at ANY of the three stops. 7.50 for that is too much imo :D + I think one spanish family actually had tiny fight coz at the last stop they kinda wanted to go out but couldn't make their minds up so stayed on, but then as we were already moving pressed the stop button + they didn't look very happy and obviously they weren't allowed to descend the train at a random spot). 

We luckily had read the small print stating that you are allowed to get off at the stops and visit the trianons and then later catch another train back. And seeing as we stepped out some of the other hesitant people got off too :D (before I was talking about the train we took to get back to the Palace). There was a little queue to get into the Big Trianon, but nothing compared to the Palace queue :) More security and metal detection gate :S Is safety really such an issue? The garden of it was really nice and you could see the big canal or lake or whatever they call it from there as well, so I wasn't too bummed that we couldn't go to the actual garden :) there was a sign pointing towards the Little Trianon but since we didn't know how far it would be we decided to get the mini train. Guess who far away it was? Freaking 2 minutes on the train if not less :D We could've walked!!!!! But now you're smarter aren't you? :) A slightly longer queue now for the Little Trianon and The Queens Hamlet... I'm so sick of people already!!!!!!!!!

The Little Trianon was also crowded inside so just made our way in a queue through the house :D (Slight exaggeration). And then went outside to look for the Queens Hamlet which was supposed to be a 10-minute walk away :) Through the lovely mazey estate :) Highlight of the day for sure!!!! No questions asked, it was the most idyllic place ever! (On the way there we saw a couple of river rats too, and swans and then fish who were so desperate for food that they were on top of each other half out the water to catch the bread crumbs people were throwing them while fighting with ducks). You couldn't go into any of the buildings though :( (Expect the hunters cabin which was converted into a toilet). If you walked further along you reached the farm that still has animals :) yay saw rabbits and fluffy chickens, donkeys, goats etc. Awwww.... my new favourite place now :) And on regular days (when the fountains aren't working) it should be free to get to... If you take the walk through the gardens... I think... Because normally the gardens are free...

Anyway I was happy as larry now :) And we decided to make our way home :) which was completely free for some reason :D (Mr. Special had bought a return ticket HAHAHA fail) But all the gates were open and the staff there told everyone that the (last?!?!) train is about to leave hurry up, No! you don't need to buy a ticket just get on!!!! The train was PACKED to the fullest. literally, luckily there was some room on the very last carriage for us and a couple more people :) Everyone were confused about it being the last train though... Who knows...

Ttyl ;)
Jazzz...

Mother of crowds

a.k.a The Versailles Palace

When I first visited the palace 5 years ago at the end of October in the middle of the week, we (me and my sistah) just walked in. Literally just walked in :D Not even a one person queue. Obviously there were people waiting to buy a ticket and people inside the palace :) I'll stress that again: I just waked up to the security area, showed my ID (to prove I was under 18 to get in for free) and got into the palace in the middle of the day...

Oh how times have changed... Well maybe they haven't so drastically if you do go there on a weekday off-season. But we went on a Saturday in August (Boom! Pow! What? Are you crazy????? Why??? OMG???!!! Waste of a day etc etc etc). And since I am lazy bugger and not at all a morning person we got out of the flat at 9.30 :D (hey, it's only like half an hour journey + waiting for the train). The palace opened at 9 and all the suggestions and reviews online say get there EARLY! or late (although I would be too worried to not get enough time to visit the palace if plan to go there an hour before closing). So we got there about 10.15 and seeing the queue I immediately regretted not waking up earlier... Although I don't think it would've mattered that much, we still would've had to queue bc I don't believe for one second that we would've been the only geniuses getting there by 9... Luckily it was a nice cloudy day :) Otherwise I would've died :(

There is a lot of complaint on-line about this queue that it is badly managed, no access to water, not under a roof etc. Ummm yeah I agree BUT the biggest problem they have is that it is too popular and running in its maximum capacity. There weren't many people queueing up alone so why can't just one of you go into town (5 mins away) to get the precious water? Or better yet bring it with you before hand. There were loads of people eating either their homemade sandwiches or McDonalds burgers (again 5 mins walk away). Newsflash you don't have to starve there with your whole family, one or two or three of you could go and get some food, while someone is still in the queue holding a place for y'all. Then it is criticized that you make your own snake queue and there are no special ropes etc for that. How is that a problem? It makes it easier for one of you to leave the queue to get food and then come back! Makes queue jumping easier... well yeah BUT you have a big whole in your face that is capable of making sounds and if you're really lucky it'll even manage to utter a few words along the lines of "Excuse me! The end of the line is over there". We had one guy trying to join the queue behind us and the ladies who were initially behind us piped up and said that it isn't acceptable. And I for once didn't just watch it from distance but did say clearly that he wasn't with us when he claimed to be... And guess what happened? He left...

As with the rain or blazing hot sun. Do you really want them to build a roof over the huge courtyard? Blocking the view to the Palace? They could sell tickets with a time slot to control the queues and the crowds but can you imagine what'll happen then? I think it'll be sold out for months in advance. And what happens to all the under 26 European citizen who get in for free with no ticket. When can they go? Anytime? That could work though... :) Finally a suggestion that might actually be of use :) although that would mean the end of impulse decisions to visit the Palace...

By noon we were in :) So not that loooooooooooong of a queue :D I was expecting worse to be honest :D Inside is another nightmare -.- On one hand people are complaining that there is only 2 security gates and that's why the queues are long and on the other hand that there is far too many people in the Palace. Take a moment to think now... I came up with this: If there are for example 4 security gates the queueing time would be reduced by half (yay) BUT there'll be twice as many people inside (oh shit, health and safety blah blah blah). What the hell do you people want then? I think 2 security gates are sufficient having to shove my way from room to room inside the palace... (I'll add some pics soon I hope). Oh and the audioguide which is for free (yay) is pretty crap :D I personally can't remember anything that was said there - I didn't have any room to listen to it anywhere either... And in my humble opinion... I'm not impressed with the Palace of Versailles at all. Not really worth the hassle :( The rooms are too empty (mostly filled with paintings or sculptures) for my taste. This time I think I managed to see some more furniture than 5 years ago :D So unless you really really really really want to go, I'd suggest avoiding it in the high season you wont miss much ;)

Now the Trianon and the Queens Hamlet is a totally different story that I'll tell you tomorrow coz I think this post is getting a bit long ;)

Ttyl ;)
Jazzz...

Mosquito attack

The end of June / beginning of July were absolutely horrendous times for me due to freaking mosquitos!!!! It was partly my fault because I just have to keep the window open - I don't have any air otherwise but omg, omg, omg. At times I looked at my skin and all I could see were red spots - huge red bite marks. Plus I think I have a small allergy to them as well because on my skin they look really bad. I even tried sleeping in a duvet cover, still I had my legs bitten! How? Mr. Special was absolutely freaking out thinking we had bedbugs and whatnot :D Mosquitos aren't that common in the UK - lucky bastards.

So we tried killing them. One day I discovered red smudges on walls. On WHITE walls. In a flat that isn't ours. The fudge have you done?!?!?!?! Are you crazy?!?!?!? Why on earth did you decide that it was a good idea?!?!?!?!?!?!? Then I saw him trying to kill them on the ceiling by waving some newspaper in their faces. Obviously that didn't kill them. You know what it did?!?!? Leave freaking black print marks on the ceiling!!!! On the WHITE ceiling!!!!!! -.- -.- -.- 

We had a serious problem. One night he captured them into glasses and let them go outside. 7 mosquitos in the flat. Got rid of 5, oh look 5 more to go. 3 more out the window. 6 still in the flat -.- Got rid of three, 3 more to go, dinally got rid of them :) Still hear the buzzing sound -.- Where the hell are they coming from????? The windows were closed at that time obviously, I'm not an idiot

Then he had a sick hobby - he captured the mosquitos into glasses and left them there to day for days... :D Well I guess it's better than staining the walls... Then he fastened the killing process by first spraying a lot air freshener into the glass and then capturing the mosquitos... He must be bored... Haha but it worked!

Then he bought some electrical scent diffuser that's supposed to keep them away. It was time for them to disappear anyway :D :D Or not... there weren't any for a couple of weeks but now they've come back for some reason!!!! Only a two but still!!! Die already!!!!!

Ttyl ;)
Jazzz...

Antisocial :(

That's what I am... I don't mean or want to be but I am... I have a couple of good friends and that's it... yes obviously I have other acquintances as well but no one to just be like hey... haven't spoken to him/her for god knows how long, I wonder how he/she's doing etc and just continue with small talk. NO! Or some people you just meet at parties and converse with them there etc. Probably bc I don't go to parties :D I don't know why I don't have those "meaningless friends" to be honest :D I just don't have anything to say to strangers and that's why I don't make friends easily, I just literally sit there in the corner and am quiet (yeah it's awkward for me too :D).

Sometimes I literally HATE talking to people, seriously shut up and let me get on with my things :D Although at the same time I want to be apart of their conversation, I do want to be their friend but can we just not talk to each other at the moment? thanks (true story happened to me at work one day) :)

Anyway this was supposed to be a post about my internship :D So... practically all the other interns have left now :( It's just me and Greece, so more awkwardness to follow porbs during lunch breaks, or maybe maybe maybe I don't have any other choice than to actually start talking to them (I do wish it was so :D). With lunch there is a funny tendency here that I noticed: before I came they ate chinese quite often, when I came the closest supermarket was the food source, then the Japanese restaurant became more popular (once a week), then we started going to Subway and since it's located in a shopping centre we now go to that shopping centre for lunch, totally having forgotten the supermarket and Japanese :D

Work itself is pretty much done... If you've translated the sentence there's not much else you can do with it is there... :/ Just to tweak it a bit and that's what I'm doing... Technically that website should work just fine in Estonian now :) Although I'm pretty sure that when I actually see it in real life I'll cringe and be like what an idiot is responsible for this?!? :D Anyway the patterns for the sentences are now done :) And I've translated a flyer into Estonian as well... well still having trouble with 2 or 3 sentences (finding the right word you know) but overall it's done.

So I now mostly fill my day by reading blogs and hoping that there's a drama :D I so want to watch a good old latin american soap opera but I think watching series while at the office is pushing it :D

That's about it... I can't wait til the internship is over but at the same time dreading the last day because I'd have to say nice words to everyone (not that I'd want to say negative things but it's weird if so far I've only uttered like 20 words in total to them and then on the last day start praising that wow everything was awesome and so sad to leave if you get my drift).

10 weeks done 3 more to go :) Time flies so fast.

Ttyl ;)

Jazzz...

Soldes and shops

I know I'm hopelessly behind with this post bc the soldes in France are long over... :D Better late than never eh?

What I think is funny about them is the fact that they are regulated by the government - certain dates (about a month) for every shop at the same time twice a year... It starts with a minor reduction (up to -50%) and then for the next two weeks the prices drop every week for what's left of the merchandise :)

Since the shops close quite early ~7PM and none of the big shopping centres or even indepent stores are near where I live (and I finish work at 6) I didn't get to enjoy the soldes that much :( good for my wallet probs. But on some weekends I did manage to get a look at what they were offering and got myself a couple of dresses :) Now I absolutely love dresses but the trouble is I rarely wear them... I'm more of a pants girl :( Trying to change my ways though!

For me the absolute nightmare was finding shoes! In Estonia we have special shoe shops that sell practically every brand there is. Here every brand has their own shop god knows where, and most of them are a bit too expensive (for me at least) like Minelli etc... I just need normal shoes for about 20 euros, is that a lot to ask for??? Or am I looking in all the wrong places? Been to three big shopping centres and found nothing, they have Ecco, Geox, Minelli, André (they're actually good :P), Footlocker (dafudge is that????? The womens section only has about 5 pairs of trainers and that's it?!?!?!?!?!?! Obviously I'm exaggerating but that's how it feels like). But I just walk around and can't see any shoes that I'd want :( why is it so hard? So went to H&M and got two pairs of sneakers there... 

There are only 3 Primark stores in Paris and the one we went actually had a queue in front of it!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can you believe it! We queued for ten minutes to be let in the shop! :D HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH Amazing. Luis Vuitton and Primark are the only two shops that I've seen people queueing to get in! The sad thing is though that the first time in ever there wasn't anything I would've wanted from there. Oh the irony :(

Yes very information, I know :D

Ttyl ;)

Jazzz...

Autolib

A couple of weeks ago Mr. Special decided he's going to look into hiring the autolib electric cars in Paris. They have stations everywhere and you can hire a car for up to 4 hours in the Ile de France area. Perfect for people who need a car occasionally or can't afford to buy one :) At first I was a bit sceptic because they're not going to give a car just to anyone. Turns out they do :D He just needed to scan in his passport, drivers licence and bank card and voilà :) Easy breezy CoverGirl (That's my slogan now, I say it alll time! -.-)

Let the stress begin :D It was me stressing not him, he was excited. The first time we took it around the block for an hour. He's just tooooo slow! Because the sign just says end of the 30 zone, what comes after that he doesn't know, so he just drives with thirty... Luckily we don't live in an area with heavy traffic :)

Then for obvious reasons he doesn't know how far we are from the curb. I don't know it either because I can't drive and to me it seems that we are already half way on the pavement anyway. Only once or twice did he start driving on the left side of the road (no other cars were there obviously). Once he started yelling on a junction where do I go? Where do I go? :D

So I just sit there clutching my fists reminding him to keep on the right side of the road while at the same time expecting to hit the curb (twice we've done that) or even worse a parked car... Then he freaking stops in the middle of the road (he doesn't actually stop just slows down but so suddenly for me) and the car jolts... The fact that the last time I was in a car we had a crash doesn't help here...

So we get looks and beeps all the time :D But it's not catastrophic by now he knows the normal speed limit is 50, and the last time he only got cursed at was when he stopped before a roundabout with a green light... :D So I was like yay finally I can relax in this car :) And we can actually go somewhere - so far we've just been driving around randomly for him to get used to the traffic. And then parking ruined EVERYTHING. Parallel parking to the right... A small parking space... Need I say more? He knows how to park to the left but to the right is mission impossible.. He just manages to park next to it :D This was the fourth time we'd taken a car (so he's done it 3 times already) but there was a bit more traffic I think and he just LOST it. OMG just relax, take deep breaths etc (I kept my mouth shut obviously). Finally in rage he just drove over the curb separating the parking stations and parked that way... Later some man had come up to him and said that the parking there is hard due to practically no space, so chill and dont worry too much, no one does it perfectly :D

Ttyl ;)
Jazzz...

Erasmus grant saga

I'm officially pissed off!!!! Yeah I'm still waiting for my stupid money!!! Well 30% of it but still. At first (in the meetings) it was said that we get our money in two installments: October and February... What a load of bs. I got my first installment in November sometime and then was told that we get the rest of the money when we submit all the documents - the certificate of attendance that is signed on your last day of placement. The fact that we get the second installment of 30% after the placement is done is already ridiculous, the money is meant FOR the placement (obviously) and as far as I know all the other students got their money 100% in the beginning of the year or atleast before it ended.

My placement ended on the 28th of May... The last document was signed and e-mailed to them on the same day by the university coordinator (I think that this is where the dog is buried - see when they now look their records there is no e-mail from ME that includes the document, not that the e-mail or the document itself have my name on it...). I was used to the fact that things take a looooooooong time and since no one else had gotten their grants a couple of weeks after that either, I wasn't worried. I e-mailed the office at the end of June, just in case. Turns out that they haven't got my last document, when and how did I send it? E-mailed them back immediately with the date it was sent and added it was sent by my host uni and not me personally. No answer so I thought everything is fine (a logical assumption I think).

Until last Thursday when Rebecca told me she got her grant. And she finished her placemnt mid-June. Nothing for me though... When I checked the e-mail I had finally had some answers (a month later from my inquiry). First Dear student, you haven't supplied ANY of the documents!!!!! - this included the one we signed in April-May 2013 and left a hardcopy in their office. (How did I get the first installment of money then?), then a couple of minutes later dear student hadn't provided the last attendance document. What????? What is finally missing then? And can't you even spell my name? Or to whom are those e-mails directed (I was listed as the only recipient). Okay so resent the e-mail with the document (luckily I had foreseen a fudge up and asked the e-mail to be forwarded it to me in May) and asked if there is anything else missing. Then forwarded an e-mail from February with them saying that everything's fine (getting that was a headache as well -.- coz obviously they have other things to do than answer you - unless you send an angry e-mail). Got an automated e-mail back saying their out of the office a couple of days -.- typical....

A week later no answer... Hello?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? Is it fine now or am I gonna get another e-mail in a month saying that oops too late too bad no money for you? Is it hard to answer saying that everything's fine or not? 

Where can I make a complaint? This is not normal! And practically every time there's a different person in the office or answering e-mails (When they actually answer any e-mails) (Emma, if you had applied for the internship and gotten it I'd probably have this rant about you :D).

Now sent another e-mail asking if everything's okey and got an answer in 5 minutes that yeah, they will be forwarding my details to the finance office on Monday (can't do it today because the finance office is under stress - you don't say, who isn't under stress when dealing with the uni?). Why couldn't you answer the e-mail I sent last Friday then?

Well lets hope now that I see that money in the near future (Rebecca said she got her first installment late because she hadn't provided UK bank account details - mine came on time :S but we'll see if this time I'll be as lucky or will this prove a bit of a problem to them - oooh so complicated have to process it a bit more).

Why is it so hard????????
Ttyl ;)

Jazzz...