Paris with my Rotary club of Mulhouse.

2nd and 3rd of March.
On monday just passed, i went to paris with my rotary club.
My host parents, host sister and i drove up to paris, had lunch at a resturant, and then we met the other rotarians of the club. Then we had a guided tour of the national sénat, which is pretty much the same as the national senate here. It was a beautiful old building that had been built as a palace in the 17th century (i think, it was all in french!!) and it was huge. It had its own beautiful gardens, and was exactly like you would imagine a french palace to be. so beautiful. Inside/ they had keep the rooms in immucatlate condition, not all rooms are used. We ahd a look at green room, where the senators go before they have their debates. It was amazing. What I thought was gold paint covering the ceilings and walls of the massive room ( average house size) were genuine gold foils!! talk about luxury. After the tour, we had dinner at the resturant at the sénat. Whenever we go out to eat, Rotary always has a room to themselves!! I got to talk English to a lady who was originally from the US, but had been in france for 45 years. She explained in depth the French government system, and its really not so different to the Australian one! I explained ours as well, and we discovered the differences! My brain was just about ready to explode, as everyday I think so hard about translating and speaking in French, and then to have an intellectual discussion about politics nearly fried my brain! And I'm supposed to be on holidays!! I guess i dont really get holidays! But it was so interesting, and worth learning.
The next day we went to the house of assembly, and had a tour around that majestic building. It was also amazing. The president of the Assembly lives there, and when we went for a tour, he came down and said hello!!! It was amazing, he is a very important man in French government.
After the tour, we watched a questeur. Where members of the public, selected ones, asked questions to the government. They spoke very fast about things that were difficult for even the french to understand, so I didnt really understand a lot. but it was a fantastic experience, just to watch and observe the french government in action. Also, the President of Kuwat was there watching as well!!
I was talking to the rotarians, and most of them has never been to either place in their lives, and were very happy that i had the oppurtunity to see with them. I was very fortunate indeed!!