Nice to Munich

Andy and I have a flight to catch so I need to make this a quickie. We went to Monte Carlo and Cannes these last two days, which were nice day trips. There's definitely a lot of money around there and we don't have any of it! We missed both the Grand Prix and Film Festival by a few days, but we saw the remnants of it. We even got to stand on the red carpet in Cannes...how thrilling. We stood in the expensive seats above the Grand Prix (if it was still on) and Andy so eloquently said "Darren would spluge in his pants in these seats". There are yachts the size of cruise ships here...needless to say Andy has huge yacht-envy...hehe. There's expensive cars and shops on every corner and an endless supply of tourists.

So we're about to leave Nice. Overall our impression of France is great...we were pleasantly suprised! Our B&B in Nice was fabulous (http://www.nicehomesweethome.com/how.htm). I'd highly recommend it. There are piles upon piles of dog poop here (way more than in Paris) and we've seen owners just let their dogs do their business right on the sidewalk and walk away. Good thing we have good poo-dar! We've seen loads of cute Westies here too, which was a real bonus (you've got to get one Lisa)! They're so much cuter than any kids I've seen!

Gotta end off with some final thoughts...

- They use high performance tires for tire walls in the Grand Prix (that's for you Dar)
- In Cinque Terre they were charging 5 euros for 1 hr of internet on CRT monitors! I'm a snob now!
- Out of total coincidence we saw Andy's cousin in Monterosso! We didn't even know she was in Europe.
- Being in Monte Carlo feels like a Lotto Super 7 commercial.
- I think French bread, butter, and jam tastes way better here.
- Spending loads of money on food, but don't worry Andy's paying! Cheaped out a bit in Nice and bought a roasted chicken at the supermarket! Gotta love donairs too!
- No bottle recycling/deposits...what do the grannies do here then? They must be bored!
- Need to do laundry, flipping undies just not working any more...just kidding!

Happy Birthday to everyone who had or are having their b-days! Sorry we had to miss out on the BIG 30's!!!

Nice, France

Monte Carlo during Grand Prix

Oh how "Nice"...France I mean

Hello everyone! So we finally made it back into France after a short trip to Cinque Terre, Italy. Since the last update we spent our last afternoon in Paris at the Orsay Museum. It was a perfect way to end off Paris. We flew to Genoa that afternoon. On the plane Andy and I did our first reading about Genoa. Little did we know that Genoa is a bit of a dive. There were all these comments like don't walk late at night, watch out for alleys, and beware of the dangerous prostitutes! Looked like we were in for a treat. In the end Genoa was ok, but we just wanted to get the hell out of there. It was an omen that on the first morning as I was about to put on deodorant that the whole thing crumbles to pieces! I hate it when that happens... Anyway we had an awesome meal, which really saved Genoa for us. First thing the next morning we took the first train out to Monterosso, which was the smartest thing we've done so far.

Cinque Terre is absolutely gorgeous and it was scortching when we arrived. The place we stayed at, Casa Manuel (http://www.manuelsguesthouse.com/)(thanks Amber for the tip), was on the side of a hill, so it was a long sweaty hike with our packs. Manuel had the two laziest dogs I've ever seen, Chico and Nuit. Couldn't protect a fly those doggies! In Cinque Terre we did the long hike through all the five villages (Lisa, you better start practicing the Grind). I was prepared for the worst, but the conditions were great...cool and windy. We started off at 10 a.m. and didn't get back to our hostel until 6 p.m. We were just disgusting messes! We tried to role play Jen and John's romantic moment, but how could we compete? On our last day in Monterosso we did the beach thing. I love how so many Europeans are comfortable in their own skin. Both women and men just let it all hang out! It was like being in the shower at the YMCA x100. In true European form I let my hot dog belly get some rays in my 2-piece...never at home! I can't say the same for Andy...no speedo! But there were enough speedos on the beach for me to go blind. No matter what you call them, banana hammocks, marble bags, they're just wrong. You can definitely spot the Europeans though and their little kids cause dad and son would be standing side by side prancing in their skimpy suits.

So now we're in Nice. The train ride was long. We're just about to go to Monte Carlo so it's time to wrap it up. Here some last thoughts...

- Axe deodorant is a sham, just ask Andy.
- Different worries here, only pickpockets and no drive-bys.
- Gelatto everyday in Italy so far...minus 1 for the diet.
- Andy looks like a lobster...no amount of sunscreen protected his whiteness!
- I need to practice my squatting, I kinda pee'd myself a little. No friggin toilet seat...grrr
- I need to learn how the Europeans stay skinny, they eat all the time but don't gain the pounds! Must be the chain smoking and the booze...sign me up!

Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre

Vernazza, Cinque Terre

Paella at Ciak (Monterosso, Cinque Terre)

Last night in Paris...

Last night we went to this supposedly "hip" bar for a drink (www.kong.fr). This isn't my thing as you all know, but my sister and friend wanted a night out since it was their last night. The place was much too frou frou for me, but I did order a tequila sunrise instead of my usual diet coke. The drink was 12 euros, but they didn't skimp on the alcohol. I was tipsy after just one, but maybe b/c we only had bread and cheese for lunch. The place was quite nice. We had a view of the Seine River and a huge LV store. We snuck a peek at the toilet (who wouldn't?) and there was no way to tell boys from girls except for the man peeing in the urinal in plain sight. I was staring at this guy thinking he was washing his hands...oops! We ended up walking thru the rich VIP club district and Andy saw a Bugatti Veyron (that's for you Dar)...it just looked like a funky car to me? I wonder if that's expensive...hehe.

So today we woke up late from our night out. We ended up going on a 2 hr French Revolution walking tour, which was great...if you're interested in French history. Andy and I both enjoyed it for real. We saw my sis and her friend off and Andy and I headed up Montmartre, a slightly seedy part at first, but the Sacre Coeur and the view were spectacular. After that we made a B line to where the French (and tourists) have "sexy time"...the Moulin Rouge. There we ate our donair and fries gazing at the sex shops and the famous cabaret theatre. At one point we saw a tourist drop his pants exposing his tight turquoise european undies so his wife could take a picture of him and the Moulin Rouge!

Last thoughts...
- I have yet to see an overweight French man/woman
- I spent 4 euros on 500 ml of Coke zero
- Why can't we have tax included in all our prices with minimal tipping

Paris

We made it safe and sound! The flight was pretty typical, long and painful. We were lucky enough to have personal TVs on our way to Montreal, but AC cheaped out on the flight to Paris. We've done tons already. We've seen Notre Dame, walked thru the Louvre, watched the sun set on top of the Eiffel Tower, drooled at shop windows along the Champs Elysees, and stood under the Arc de Triomphe. We just got back from a day at Versailles. That's one sweet place! Our feet feel like they're going to fall off...hehe. The weather has been pretty good, rainy days are better than the super hot muggy ones. Our one night at the Marriott was great and our other hotel is definitely a huge step down. So sad. My sis tried to get them to extend our rate for more days (how Chinese!), but we were denied! We've done loads of walking and Andy hopes to lose his spare tire, but the buttery pastery, cafe au lait, and French cuisine isn't helping the cause. Paris is pretty wonderful. The ppl are suprisingly nice and friendly, go figure! We haven't bought any thing other than edibles cause things cost an arm and a leg here (sorry to disappoint girls) and I don't have a huge rock on my finger (no surpise there). I need to keep this short since the keyboards in this country aren't North American friendly.

Some key points:
- thank god for comfortable shoes and deodorant
- most French speak English
- no bed bugs so far (thinking of you Kar)
- the metro here rocks
- the police are HOT and they have big guns
- the French know coffee (sorry Timmy's)
- need to rent the Da Vinci Code
- if you're coming to Paris download Rick Steves audioguide!

Until next time. Andy's alive and well, I haven't killed him yet, not to worry!

Is it just me or is the week before holidays painful?

Four sleeps to go before our vacation starts! My excitement level is only moderate right now. I know for sure it'll go through the roof the minute the plane lifts off. My heart usually starts beating really fast and I'm overwhelmed by the feeling of how fortunate I am in my life.

But before all the warm fuzzy feelings begin, I have to get through this week. Getting organized sucks! Packing sucks! Making sure all your bills get paid sucks! This is the part I hate the most...but only four more sleeps to go. Besides, it's not the end of the world if I forget to do a few things, right? I just hope I don't have to borrow Andy's man-panties!

Probably the worst of it right now is that my brain (and wallet) have already started the vacation without me. I've already burned a hole in my credit card and I haven't even started day 1...hehe. Oh well, I'll have a shiny new bike to come home to. Sweet!