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bon soir from Juan Les Pins…thankfully the airline gods were kind and I arrived safely in Nice on Tuesday morning. Marien graciously took the morning off

from work and was at the airport upon my arrival. The final approach to the runway was truly stunning…the coastline along the Cote D’ Azur is more mountainous than you may anticipate allowing for breathtaking backdrops and vistas along the seafront. There are numerous towns that dot the area running from Cannes to Monaco and for a reasonable price you can hop on a train and stop at each city centre. I hope to begin taking advantage of this soon…from what I have read and heard each town has its own uniqueness and flavor. I have so far only traveled from Juan Les Pins to Antibes (the neighboring town and home to Marien’s office) but the differences certainly proved true. Juan Les Pins is the hip and happening glamour spot for all walks of life while Antibes offers old town charm and is home to all of the yachties for which this area is so well known…and I must say the yachts are here in droves. Seeing these “toys” of the mega-rich anchored along the coast certainly adds to the lure and beauty of this area. The French people who live here are, lets just say…French…with some, the typical stereotypes that have been labeled upon them prove true but there are certainly those that are friendly and helpful (most can be found in stores as you walk up to the register with money in hand…hah). I have found that simply saying bonjour and bonsoir goes a long way…we are in a resort town, it is very international so most people speak English to some extent. I must admit at first it was a little intimidating…but with all new things in life, you observe, learn, give a little effort, leave your ego at home, go out and enjoy being immersed in a wonderfully different culture. Tonight we are flying to Paris for the weekend and I am curious to see the differences, if any, between the Parisians and those living in the southern regions.

The wine so far has certainly been magnifique…the house wines in the cafes have been on par with a high dollar bottle found in the states…but don’t be fooled…unless enjoyed in moderation, a headache will await you in the morning. The whole idea of moderation seems so relative at the time…if one bottle was good, two must be better…ahhh France…the cafes are wonderfully addictive, the people watching is at its best and simply walking the day away along the streets and allies has proved to be good so far…for now, au revoir

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