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)