Visiting the chateau of Versailles gave a whole new meaning to the phrase “To marry a king, you first need to become a queen.”

I can’t begin to imagine what people thought about rulers to think it necessary to have a place like Versailles as a hunting house. It was breathtaking. The vastness of the gardens, of the canal in the backyard, even just the Hall of Mirrors. Unbelievable. It felt like a real version of Ever After. An interesting fact is that I didn’t really want to be a queen; I would’ve been completely content as a maid or a lady in waiting. No stuffy dresses and crazy wigs, but I would’ve loved escaping into the woods, to a solitary fountain to pray or sing or dance… all alone.

Yesterday I had a chance to be alone to draw and to think. I wish it could’ve lasted all day. I even realized that I was being selfish with my time and needed to spend time with Jena and Drew. I’ve already told you how empty theatres and churches are the most enchanting and romancing places in the world—and now I need to add chateau to that list.

The suburb of Versailles is really beautiful, and we had no problem finding a bakery for lunch. By this point, Drew, Jena and I were beginning to get sarcastic with each other, like brother and sisters. The week is coming to a close, and we, though we are sad to leave each other, are beginning our journey back through the closet to real life.

When we got home last night after eating dinner near St. Michel, we began packing. I took some time to paint a few watercolors while my mind was still full of visions of Versailles. I really loved it. If I lived in Paris I would often pay the EUR2.50 to retreat to the gardens of the French royalty. It would be my countryside by the city.