Mannequins

Once a harmless department store display item, here in France they seem to be much more menacing creatures. We went to the Ussé castle last saturday. It's famous because apperently mr. Disney himself used it as basis for the movie sleeping beauty. It was a rainy day, but the clouds parted somewhat as we drove to the castle with Yahli (Gideons nephew) Sara and Maeva. From a distance the castle was lovely, evoking thoughts of damsels in distress, dragons and prince charming. But the interior was lacking. The original walls were plastered over instead of restored. And the rooms were sealed off, with a dirty smudged window letting us glance into the so called fairytale. What we really saw were CREEPY mannequins and cheap design. Needless to say I was disappointed.

drunken mannequins

prince charming??

The castles we saw on monday more than made up for the creepy mannequin experience.

Villandry had the most wonderful kitchen

And it's gardens are incredible. They are replanted twice a year.

Azay le Rideau was probably my favorite despite it's small size and lack of gardens like Villandry.
Anyways, or trip is coming to an end. Sunday we are going to Paris, and then back to frigid Iowa. I'm sad to leave but I think it's time. I need to get back into a routine, or I'll never make my time for the year! See you soon.
-S