The End is Near...

It is strange to think that I will be back in the States in five days. I am ready to be home, but I have grown accustomed to Paris, to my friends, and to the traveling life in general...
This weekend has been eventful, with two day trips to two places I have always been excited to see: Giverny, where Monet's gardens are located, and Versailles.
Giverny was heavenly. No really, I am now convinced that heaven will be one huge gorgeous garden, similar to Monet's own little paradise in the French countryside. I think this spring/summer season was the perfect time to go, because every flower was in bloom; and what brilliant colors... Peach roses, baby pink peonies, violet irises, neon red geraniums... And of course there were the weeping willows that delicately fell onto the water garden. Remember his paintings of the bridge arching over the pond and water lilies? Yes, I most certainly walked over that same bridge.
Versailles was... an experience. I definitely want to go back and tour the huge gardens and Marie Antoinette's hamlet and estate. My friend Britta and I ended up waiting in line for a total of two hours in order to get in; it was freezing and raining, and we were ill-equipped for those elements. Thus, we were unhappy campers once we got into the Chateau, which was swarming with tourists. Oh well. I did see the portraits of Marie Antoinette and her awesomely decorated bedchamber... I have a fascination with the former Queen of France, thanks to Sofia Coppola's film and Antonia Fraser's biography.
What's next on the agenda?
-Climbing the Eiffel tomorrow morning
-Pompidou (Modern Art Museum)
-Chartres Cathedral
-Falafels from a joint in the Jewish Quarter (Lenny Kravitz and JOHNNY DEPP eat there!)
-More nutella crepes
-Boat ride on the Seine River
-Rodin Museum
PS: My class-mate Daniel is in the hosptial with a really bad eye infection... Your prayers would be greatly appreciated!