FRENCH FREAKIN OPEN!

Sunday we had our tickets handy for this small event the world refers to as the French Open. We woke up and figured out our travel plans for the day. We were originally going to go to Versailles in the morning before heading to Roland Garros (the site of the French Open), and then to tennis, but decided this would be too much. So instead, we got ready and headed to see some tennis at about 9AM.

We had only gotten to print out the e-ticket confirmation, not the e-ticket itself, and a copy of this other e-mail saying the tickets would be sent (which they never were), to Lauren's email. (we think this was an issue with the computers at the hostel, because they didn't have the software to open up the e-ticket document). Luckily, a small Irish man at the front desk of our hostel gave us 45 min. for free on their computers and when asked if we could print 2 things as well, he said, "Ehhhh, why not (insert accent)." Definitely one of our lucky breaks.

I really wish NYC had these subways, they all looked this bright, colorful, and clean! --->

Using the easiest navigation system that the Parisian Metro is, we found our way to Roland Garros before the start of the first match. It was another gorgeous day in Paris, not to hot, not to cold, but juuusstt right. There were SO many people on the trains and we all just crowded into the streets all walking the same direction. We get to the gates and searched for someone who could help us, because they were scanning tickets and we didn't have them. This nice young gentleman helped us get to the front of the line (which were super long) and had the ticket booths lookup our confirmation numbers and print out tickets for us. How lucky! All the workers at the games were dressed in these cute khakis and polo shirts and the women wore more dress-like apparel. But it was real cute and very tennis. However, unlike the US Open, the French Open didn't appear as dressy of an event. We were, but the rest of the attendees weren't. Not to say they looked like slobs, many people dressed very well, but others it just seemed like any other sporting event. Side note: We've noticed that you can spot an American guy by looking at the shorts, if they were wearing cargo shorts or basketball shorts, they are American (followed by them speaking English of course) All other Parisians that we saw wore nicer khakis, pants, jeans, longer jean shorts, board shorts, but certainly not Hollister or American Eagle cargo shorts.

Back at the French Open, we get into the match, and immediately went to the boutique. Of course we got some stuff for some special people, but we will keep that private. Let's just say VERY pricey though. I wanted to buy this towel, but it was 70 Euros...i don't think so! Next we got a 2 Euro program/newpaper about the event (much better price) and went to the the main stadium, the Court Philippe Chatrie. (See map below)
We had UNBELIEVEABLE seats. Actually, the stadium itself wasn't that large, much smaller than US Open. First we saw Samantha Sosur *ranked 7th in the world vs. Iveta Benesova. Sam (as we called her lol) was JACKED. Oh man, he arms were so cut..see pic below. And the other, Iveta, from the Czech Republic was so slender and had the flattest stomach. Lauren and I were both jealous...the women reading this understand. Needless to say, Sam won in 2 sets. (Women are best of 4)

<--*Click on the picture to enlarge and see just how jacked she is


Now I have watched tennis before and understood the basics, how you get points...what is out, real BASIC stuff. But Lauren explained the sets, point value for this, what a duece was, how someone wins, etc....yes I know, I'm sorry everyone, I played a game of 1, 2, and 3 points, not increments of 15, so I honestly didn't know tennis much....OK OK AT ALL. But i could appreciate it and watch it. NOW I feel like a pro, although it's not so hard to grasp, just very mental for the players. But it is such a respectful game (despite Serena's outbreak a little while back). Everything is so precise and organized down the ball boys/girl, and the line umpires. Everyone involved is so concentrated, sure, and QUIET during the match. Wow, talk about pressure. Even the men cleaning off the lines did it in synchrony. It was almost a spectacle in itself. I thought it was hilarious that the ball boys held umbrellas over the players as they rested, so steady and professional.


Back to the matches, the second one was David Ferrer from Spain vs. Jarkko Nieminen. Ferrer's name isn't to be confused with Federer and he looked liked Nadal from afar because of his tan and they wear the same Nike headband. He won in 3 sets (men are best of 5). This match was more intense and more fans appeared for this one.




















We got some food, which was so much more healthy than our sporting event foods. For instance, we both got cheeseburgers, but these were on what looked like whole wheat buns, and everything they had packages at the games, cartons, bags, etc. was all bio-degradeable. Way to go French Open!

Next up was the French favorite, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (pronounced Songa) vs. Jan Hajek. The crowd was unbelievable for this Tsonga. As he had SWAG. Whenever he was up a little or won a set, he walked around like this was his country, this was his town, he has this. I can really appreciate this/relate to that being an athlete. Swag is just something you have to have. It's like an edge. I loved that. There are some pictures of him as well. What a match that was though. The longest one we saw, and the most intense. Clay kept flying up into their eyes, so they'd stop for a little, the sun was beating down (we got sunburn--oh yeah, very sunburn--especially our knees because of how we sat and where the sun was but now I'm tan! YES JULIE IS TAN! REPEAT TAN! - No more ghost!!!) ...and it was just so intense. Tsonga won and I snapped a picture of him jumping in the air. He was so happy and the crowd was so happy for him. Funny thing about the crowd--got to do the wave 2X and the crowd was so wild the chair umpire had to tell us to stop, please quiet down, the match was going, but literally wouldn't until we stopped, and the players and he couldn't help but smile. It was a beautiful atmosphere, they loved their Tsonga.

Tsonga clocked this one serve at 220 km/hr = 137 mph!!! ^^^


Tsonga was so pumped to win in France! Precious moment captured ^^^

Also, Lauren swears there were the McEnroe brother's announcing the game - you be the judge...

We left after his match to walk around a little, and we still wanted to get to Versailles. The park was so crowded after that match though so we only walked around a little bit and headed out...but not before we got some food. We walked a couple streets down for a restaurant, but mostly everything was either expensive or closed (it was Sunday after all.) And we settled on getting peaches at this little shop, some water, and of course, went to a bakery and got our croissants (I had 2 I couldn't help it, they are oh so good). We hopped a Metro to get to the line RER (goes more outside of Paris), and purchased our round trip tickets for Versailles. It took about 20 min. to get there by train. The actual city of Versailles fairly new and renovated looking. Just outside of the train station they even have McDonalds and Starbucks...really America? Really? We have even infiltrated ourselves into Versailles. Job well done....not!

The palace was a few blocks down and the walk up was click clack cobblestone...I wondered how long and how many people it took to put all these cobblestones down, it was massive. The gates were plated in gold, and the palace itself wasn't open anymore, which we knew, but were willing to spare for the French Open (we really don't like museums that much) and went to the garden instead. Now, when I say garden I don't mean like your mother's backyard, I am talking hundred probably thousands of acres. WOW! MASSIVE! So many patterns in the trees and shrubs, walkways for eons, hundreds of statues, fountains, ponds you name it. It was incredible. So blissful. I told Lauren I felt like Louis (who Lauren deemed, "a baller" - urbandictionary.com for those who don't know what this means) and must have walked out like Tom Hanks in Cast Away when he yells, "Look at what I have created...I...I have made fire (only referring to the garden)" It really was a spectacle. Of course, pictures below. Mindblowing. They don't even do it justice though to experience the magnitude of it you just need to go - if you're ever near there, just go. Just see the garden, it talks for itself. Beats History class for sure - we talked about how nothing we have learned in history class about Europe (well at least for me) compared to being there. I think this trip has taught me that, you really have to experience a city, it's authenticity, it's culture, hear the people, converse with them, see the sights, wander down some side streets, and yes, read about the history to understand and appreciate the country/city itself.

^^Hi fives with the cherubs - shoutout to Brittany Tabron, you know my little cherub!

Next, we wanted to go to these two gorgeous fountains in the middle of Paris, and I promised my Aunt Lisa I'd throw a coin in for her, she told me before I left her wish was always to do this! P.S. Aunt Lisa, I have video footage for you. So we went and these fountains were so opulent and gorgeous. Pictures say enough. Tossed a few wishes in and we headed back to our hostel.
We bough some yogurt, which according to Lauren's teacher in Jordan last summer, said that this works for sunburn. She did it last summer and said it worked, so can't argue with ancient wisdom. Well, I did, because I'm a science person - but I tried it. Maybe I'll tell the burn unit I plan to work in (no, no job yet sorry, but I'll get there) to try this lol. So we spread plain yogurt on us..and what a relief! Combined with my trusty Advil it made for pain free burns!!!



















After that we knew we had a lot we wanted to do the next day (and at this point it's like 10pm) so we planned the next day and headed to b-e-d.

Thanks for bearing with us as we recap the last couple days of our trip...much easier to post pictures and internet connections here in the lovely Suffern, NY.

Love,
Julie and Lauren