Monday, November 18, 1991
9:30AM appointment with the Prefecture in Versailles. Early train to Paris Centre to get our translated papers. Real Surprise! The lady meets us on time and they are ready. Off to the metro. We stop by an American Express machine to obtain some cash from our U.S. account, but it’s not working and won’t take our card. Across the street we go to a Carte Bleue machine to obtain money from our French account.
Only David can’t remember his “pen number”, puts in the wrong number and it keeps his card, telling him to check with his bank. I’ve never used my card and can’t remember my “pen number”. Time is clicking by. Off we go with very little cash in our pocket and I don’t carry the French checkbook with me. Back to the metro to connect to an RER to go to Versailles.
We see the sign for Versailles CH thinking its Versailles Chateau and board the train. (The Prefecture is located across the street from Hotel De Ville and the Chateau). For some reason, I had the feeling we were on the wrong train. I recalled the time when several years ago, my mom, sister and I tried to take a train from Paris to Versailles to visit the castle. Not knowing the train system at that time, we finally did get a conductor to try and tell us the name of the correct train.
I told David I remembered him saying “Vick” and I knew we weren’t on “Vick”. David jumps up, looks above the door at the diagram of the train’s direction, and finds that this train changes tracks soon and is going to Versailles Chatilier (who only knows where that is). Our problem now is – what station do we exit so our correct train would stop there? Well – David chose one and off the train we go.
A sign appears and 1 minute later the correct train also. What luck! We arrived Versailles with 10 minutes to spare. David uses his French and asks a passerby in French “Where is the Hotel DeVille?” We were pointed in the direction and began to speedily walk. We walked into the office with 2 minutes to spare. Wow! The receptionist took us to Mr. Lequiller’s office for our appointment and we let out a deep breath.
His secretary seemed a little surprised at our arrival and asked us in French what time our appointment was. We could even tell her in French – 9:30AM! He was obviously not in. So, we wait. One hour goes by. People in and out of the office. There seems to be some confusion. The secretary decides we must be at the wrong office. There are 2 Mr. Lequiller’s. We’re again pointed in another direction (1 hr. late now) and visit with the right gentleman, hand over our numerous documents and copies and are issued a temporary residence card. WOW!
