Mom has lately become enamored of Korean culture.  She listens to BTS and has become an expert in Kdramas.  We’re likely going to Korea next October, as I will be in-between schools.  

We got a taste of that trip Thursday night.  For Thanksgiving dinner we went to a Korean BBQ.  They didn’t speak English, we didn’t speak Korean.  It involved a lot of finger pointing, gestures, and facial expressions.  Like fondue places, you cook your own veggies and meat at a grill in the middle of each table.  The wait staff were so nice, helping us cook our food which is, technically, beyond their job scope.  I think they were concerned we’d eat raw meat, or be angry our food wasn’t cooked.  They sat us without a reservation.  Even though tipping is not a thing in France, I tipped.  Typical American, right?  Throw money at the problem.  

The food was delicious.  So many new flavors and spices, I could not possibly describe them all.  So stay tuned.  It could be an exciting trip next Fall that will take us well outside my comfort zone.    

Yesterday we spent the day at Versailles, pictured below. 

Versailles began life as a modest hunting lodge in the 1600s by King Louis XIII.  King Louis XIV turned it into the opulent palace it is today.  As is typical with a new manager, they just have to put their stamp on things.  It was built in stages but generally finished after about two decades.  This puts us around 1715.  

For the next century various numbered kings and revolutions come and go while the house falls into disrepair.  Surprisingly, it was not burned down during The French Revolution.  Rather, it was gutted and much of the art moved to The Louvre.  Or was lost.  

Revolutions are not kind to the status quo or culturally relevant trinkets.  Economically or politically disenfranchised folks will chafe at authority and act out, usually in violent or self destructive ways.  (See the Anti-Vax movement, The French Revolution, The American Revolution, The Capitol Riots, The Race Riots in New York in the 1860s, the formation of ISIS, to name a few.)  Everything old is new again.    

After the French Revolution and Napoleon, who used Versailles as a summer home, the Palace was restored in 1830.  It more or less has been under restoration ever since.  If the purchase price doesn’t kill you (around $50 billion to build at today’s rates), the maintenance will (approximately $17 million annually).  New airports cost that much, and they have bathrooms.  Not surprisingly the French government owns it today.  Some 15 million annual visitors (pre-Covid) help foot the bill, and it is a top tourist attraction. 

Everything about Versailles is over-the-top.  It has always been.  I can’t imagine what French peasants thought of the place.  Built in the Baroque style, architects of the day thought, “How can we take the already ornate style of Renaissance architecture and really go for baroque, making it even MORE theatrical and more ornate.”  I’m kidding, they did not say that.  

The Basilica of St. Peters in Vatican City is a prime example.  Long time readers will remember The Piti Palace in Florence.  Also, during Series 5 to Latvia we visited Rundāle Palace.  Technically Versailles is Late Baroque, but we’re all friends here so let’s get too far into the weeds of naming things unnecessarily.  In case you forgot, Baroque is a style of architecture which moved through Europe in the very late 16th and much of the 17th century, characterized by putting shit everywhere.  No decorative element left behind.  Can’t stop, won’t stop.  

Nobody lives at Versailles anymore.  It’s mostly a museum dedicated to French history.  Much of art are copies, since the Louvre houses the originals.  

What did we learn about French history?  Mostly that the French were a warring pain in the ass of Europe.  It felt like the littlest of insults could spur a conflict, where the upper classes had fun playing dress up and making plans, while the common folk actually fought and died.  So glad to see things have changed in modern times.   

I’m not a painting person but I love the architectural style.  It’s such a privilege to just walk around, and think about all the history which unfolded within these rooms hundreds of years ago.  

The gardens are massive and free to visit.  I recommend going when it’s not 30 degrees and raining.  In Spring and Summer they must be spectacular.  Still, I liked having them all to ourselves.  

Tomorrow we head to the original flea market.