Monaco was super pretty! Very well maintained and very nice :) even though they tried to charge 9€ for a mango..

Eze

I had a great time today visiting the village of Eze. After driving an hour into the mountains, we arrived at the picturesque city. We began by taking a tour of a local perfume factory. It was interesting to learn the history behind perfume and see how it was made. After purchasing an embarrassing amount of perfume, we made our way to the ancient city on the hill.  The cobblestone roads and narrow streets looked like something straight out of a Disney movie. At the top, there was an exotic plant garden with a phenomenal view of the ocean. The rich history and natural beauty of the surroundings made it one of the most amazing places I have ever been. There is so much history here that you just can't find in a younger country like America. 

French Fashion

Fashion all around the world is seen as a way to express yourself, display your culture or membership to a certain group. This is no different in France, especially because if their love of "liberté". Women here are tres chic et tres mode (for the most part). I have yet to see any French women out and about in her sweat pants. Women here care, when they go out, they are always done up to the nines. French  men are no different, and to many Americans this may seem... Feminine. Men here are jelled up, clean shaven and... Pretty. However, it is important to note that not every French citizen knows good fashion or has good taste, they all have a different style (and the best are the French gangsters in American sports team wear). The difference here is they commit. Yesterday I saw a 60 year old French Gangster chillin on a park bench. Now, those frenchies that are fashion forward, are more daring in their style than any American I've even met, save few. They seem to keep up on the latest trends, and usually wear heels ( which seems very impractical). Their hair styles are modern, their shoes as well, fashion and expression are never half done in France. J'adore. I must seem like a creep because I stare at these poor beautiful people as they walk down the streets. I wish some Americans would learn that fashion and life are interlinked, just as the French have.... Even if it is impractical.

Today we went to Eze. And it was exactly like I remembered it. Seriously, it's such an amazing place. I'm most definitely going back. Today we went to the perfume factory. I was born to be "le nez". That's just the person who creates the perfume. I could identify all of the smells that we were supposed to identify. I'm just that good. Also, I basically already live their lifestyle. They don't drink, or smoke, and they're not supposed to eat spicy foods. That's the only part that I would have trouble with. :) 

I got some perfume, which is completely wonderful. I also got lots and lots of soap,
surprise, surprise. 

found this picture here 

It was crazy to learn how they made the perfume. They take 600 POUNDS of flower petals to extract just 1 pound of essential oils. And that's why it's so expensive. 

After that, we just went and got lost wandering around Eze, looking in the shops. I got more soap... :)

We just had fun wandering around, and seeing how beautiful everything was. 

Seriously, it was just a wonderful day. 

Bienvenue!

I'm not really a stranger to Europe. I love the culture, the markets, the history, the old cities, the tiny cars, the old-fashioned way of life, etc. But I had never been to France. Based on what I'd seen already of Italy and London, I was expecting a bunch of well-dressed smokers who know how to eat well. In this regard, I wasn't let down. I got in to Nice (surprisingly without them checking my passport) by train from Ventimiglia (on the Italian border) at dusk. I didn't have a map, or wi-fi access for my smart phone. They're not really that smart without the internet (which is also true of many in the rising generation). I had a general idea of where I needed to go (east) and the address of my host's apartment. And most importantly, I had a sense of adventure.

So off I set into the darkness wearing my guitar on my back, and with my luggage rolling noisily on the ground which changed rapidly and frequently from marble, to cobblestones, to cement stamped with a tiny square pattern, to pavement, each producing a different tone from the wheels of my suitcase. I then had my first experience speaking French to a native, in France. I asked a gentleman where I could find Rue Giofreddo. I think. I'm pretty sure that's what I asked, because he pointed me in (what I would later find to be) the right direction.

I walked for about five minutes and asked another person if I was headed in the right direction. I kept this pattern up for a bit until a man who owned a Rôtisserie got out his smart phone (which had internet access, so it was actually smart) and looked up walking directions. It was a straight shot to my destination, but it was still pretty far away. "You're on foot, yeah?" he queried. I responded in the affirmative, and he made the face you'd expect one to make in that situation. So, wishing me the best of luck, sent me happily on my merry.

I stopped by a late-night fruit stand (which is apparently a thing, here) and bought an apple to eat along the way, and biting in to it once again realized just how amazing the produce is on this side of the pond. They don't bother with calling anything "organic." It's just a buzzword used in the U.S. to charge you more money, and that typically means there were less chemicals used to grow such an aesthetically displeasing apple. No, it's not "organic," it's just food over here. Anyhoo, I kept walking for about an hour. Only a couple of people along the way weren't super helpful. Take that, French stereotypes. (Although there were a lot of smokers. A LOT.) So, uh... yeah.

When I finally got to the apartment (feeling like a million bucks for having successfully navigated myself to my destination on foot in a city, country, and language that were all new to me) and rang the intercom, I didn't get an answer. I learned later that my host had gone to the train station to look for me. I asked a passing stranger where I could find a phone, and he handed me his; what a nice fellow! I called my host, and she came back home and let me in, and I hefted my possessions up four flights of stairs. She laughingly chastised me for walking all the way, and sent me off to bed. I complied without hesitation. After traveling all over Italy and London for almost two weeks, it will be nice to sleep in the same bed twice. And it’s a bunk bed. I get the bottom, and my roommate gets the top. My fort is already cooler than his.

End of Day 1.

Nice Day 3

After spending 13 hours on a plane, I have finally arrived in Nice.  So far I love it. I am especially enjoying how different it is from America.  There is so much to see and we have been exploring all week. Today we went to the Old City. The cathedrals were beautiful, the view was breathtaking, and the ice cream was delicious. :)

Attending school has been fun. We were given a test and placed in classes depending on our level of proficiency in French. My class has people from all over the world including Germany and Japan. It is interesting because French is the common language between all of us. This makes learning the language even more fun. 

Tomorrow we will be taking a trip to Eze. I am excited to see such a historic area and I look forward to taking some pictures (hopefully I won't be TOO touristy).

Day 2 in Nice

Well we are situated in Nice. Today was a free day and we went to school. We were placed in our classes and started lecture and homework. then since we had the rest of the day free we went to try Kebob and then went to the beach for a bit. Got pretty sunburned though.. :) Emma and I went home and talked to our families. Giuliami helped us with homework. It was wonderful to walk around and see Nice. I'm excited for the days to come!