Favourite movies

I recently wrote about movies I've seen countless times and not-so-delicately hinted that I would write a list about my favourite movies. However, while I contemplated this, I realized that a lot of movies I've seen have been in weird circumstances. And that a lot of movies I consider to be my "favourites" I've only seen once.
Back to the weird circumstances, because when I say "weird" people always want to know more about what I mean. So I shall explain.

First off, a few examples of said circumstances:

• The first time I saw my favourite movie was alone, in my room, on my laptop, having rented it from Blockbuster (woah, remember when that still existed?), but I still knew it was my favourite as soon as I finished watching it.
• Watching favourite #2 happened, naturally, when I was in its country of origin, and didn't understand what I was getting myself into by watching a movie with three other random girls - whom I'd just met - crowding around a computer, but am certainly glad that I did see it.
• The first time I saw Mean Girls was in the theaters with my grandma, who was subsequently horrified and demanded to know if people were really like that at my school, to which I insisted there were not (even though there kinda were) to keep her in happy-grandma land.
• I would tell people I had "seen" Star Wars even though I had really only seen the same middle part of it on TV about thirty times, but I knew enough about it that people believed me, which was really cool at the time (a.k.a. in middle school).

And those are just a few examples! I guess watching movies on your computer is not as weird now as it was about six years ago, because of Netflix. But I find it to be a crappy way to experience something as awesome as your favourite film. Except... if it is your favourite already, then you don't really care... and if it's destined to become your favourite, then nothing else really matters. I'M JUST SAYING that movies were not meant to be watched on 15" screens!

Where were we? Oh, right, a list of my favorite movies. Well, here you go! Remember, no judging, but yes a few of them are silly.

26) Inglorious Basterds
25) It's A Wonderful Life (mostly because I've seen it so many times)
24) Citizen Kane
23) Paper Moon
22) Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
21) The Wizard of Oz
20) The Notebook
19) Casino Royale/ Dr. No (tie)
18) The King's Speech
17) Little Miss Sunshine
16) 2001: A Space Odyssey (which I watched on the last day of the year 2001!)
15) Finding Nemo/Wall-E (tie)
14) The Incredibles
13) The Devil Wears Prada
12) Bridesmaids
11) Monty Python and the Holy Grail
10) Pirates of the Caribbean (I do love me some Johnny Depp)
9) 27 Dresses
8) Star Wars IV: A New Hope (but it was originally just Star Wars so can't we just call it that?) 
7) The Departed
6) The Ghost Writer (go watch it)
5) The Hangover
4) Ferris Bueller's Day Off 
3) Forrest Gump (^^because who doesn't love these two movies?!)
2) Jeux d'Enfants
1) Catch Me If You Can

Ta da! The top twenty six. If you haven't seen one (or more, but I can't even fathom that!) then that is what Netflix is for! Unfortunately, you'll probably have to watch it on your computer which brings us back to that whole thing again... but really, isn't that just where cinema is headed anyway? Unless you're watching old movies fo' free somewhere (a-hem, Bryant Park, Mondays, in the summer). Really, I just encourage people to watch more movies because they are so cool.

xxo, S

Vamos!

Hey blog buddies!

I'm heading out to Barcelona for the weekend! Should be a good time :)
See below for example of "good time" and my current excitement-level:

And slightly more vintage, yet equally awesome (Doug's favorite song!):

Barcelona is going to officially mark my second time to Spain, and I've got the passport stamps to prove it (remember when I stopped in Madrid on my way here?!). Sorry, Dad, I won't be using much espagnol on this trip, since Barcelonians technically speak Catalan. But I'll be trying, I will! 

Today on the Internet I learned si us plau which is "please." When I went to Monaco, one girl remarked that it would be super useful to know how to say "please," "thank you," and "hello" in every language. I agree! Because at least you can show some respect to people, and show that you care a little.

Pictures when I get back, promise! Also, last Saturday I went to Cassis but never updated you all. Oops! Okay well it was just a day trip but really freakin' cool! Maybe I'll go back again before it gets too cold. Probably will be dragging the same people from this Barcelona trip ;)

xxo, S

Letter to Rho for Recruitment 2012

Monday was Bid Day back at DU. Although I wasn't there to experience it, I've heard only good things! Recruitment was tough last year - I personally felt very disappointed with my own performance and had to learn the hard way that even if you expect the best from people, you don't know what you're going to get.

Anyway, we welcomed fifty (!!) new members to ∆Z on Monday and I couldn't be happier!!! I'm so proud of all my sisters back in Denver and proud to call myself a Delta Zeta girl. Before Recruitment began this year, I wrote a short letter to my chapter (Rho) pumping them up with a little encouragement. I want to share it here with you all because a few girls said it was touching to them. And also I miss everyone back at DU! Here it is:

Bonjour à toutes mes soeurs!

As recruitment approaches, I know you are all getting very excited. After all, I'm 4,000 miles away and super excited! For many of you, this is your first recruitment and you are very lucky to have such a determined, driven, passionate, lovable, friendly, and smart woman like Été to lead you through this. All of E-board, all the chairmen, our new and already-loved CCD, all the alumnae, all your sisters worldwide, and all of us who are abroad want you to succeed and we know you can. So don't be scared - it's going to be one of the greatest and most fun things you will ever, ever do!

While I haven't been with you all throughout Perfection Week and the workshops, I still feel that you have all been working your very hardest (it's that sisterly bond we've got, i can literally SENSE it). If I could give one piece of advice to every Rho woman who is recruiting this Fall, it would be this: Have courage. To quote John Wayne, "Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway." Courage will make you stand out to every single PNM who walks through that door (and sincerity, and smiles, and sisterhood - all that good stuff too of course). It's not just bungee jumping or public speaking that takes courage, so much as being outside of your comfort zone and succeeding at it.

Anyway, thanks girlies for letting me pep-talk you all a little bit. I really and truly miss everyone so much and can't wait to see you all when I get back. Bises (that's 'kisses') from France!

In the Flame,

Stephanie

Congratulations to Rho on our best Recruitment ever! See you guys in January,

xxo, S

Laundry land - UPDATE

Laundry Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Steph

After my frustration with not being allowed to hang my clothes to dry, I resorted to putting my still-wet clothes in my closet.

Needless to say, they didn't really get dry in there.

So at night, when I went to bed, I took all my damp clothes out and hung them back around my room again!
(Oooooo, what a rebel. It's okay. Relax.)
Then when I woke up the next morning, I took them all down. And they were dry! Imagine that...

So, dear readers, I did get my "revenge" in the end. But it was justified, right? I only wanted clean, dry clothes after all!

For next time, I've gotta find a better way to accomplish the whole "dry clothes" part of laundry. I sense  Episode IV coming on. Stay tuned...

xxo, S

5 examples of how France is not THAT eco-friendly

1) There is no recycling!
2) They don't use reusable water bottles
3) High-power water sprayers to clean the street every day?! Not eco
4) Their dryers don't work well at all
5) They have fountains that just run all day long. And I doubt all of that water comes from magical, endless underground springs. Or if it does - um, so wasteful!

5 examples of how France is still MORE eco-friendly than the U.S.

1) Their refrigerators, cars, homes, and TVs are all much smaller
2) They don't take long, twenty minute showers
3) Stores charge you for plastic shopping bags, so it's better to BYOB (bring your own bag)
4) They drink a lot of beer and wine. Hey, just saving some water for the fish ;)
5) Laundry lines are used to dry clothes in the open air. Well, for most people (ahem).

Spotted in Aix

At the end of last week, I noticed these two musicians who started to play in the square down the street from my homestay. They get dressed up in this traditional Arab-looking garb and play drum-and-pipe-y music and a lot of people take pictures of them.
Also on my walk to school is a growing colony of homeless young French bohemian musicians. They bring out the acoustic guitars, sit on the side of the street with their dreadlocks and dogs, sing some tunes (in both French and English), and no one takes pictures of them.

Yesterday I saw these two groups talking in a cluster, together, near Place de l'Hotel de Ville (Town Hall Square). HAVE THEY COMBINED FORCES?!

Stay tuned, amigos. This could get interesting...

xxo, S

Academia

Dear all DU students/alumni; all Bronxville H.S. students/alumni; and my family,

YOU DON'T KNOW HOW LUCKY WE ARE!
By the good graces of God and the Universe, we are smart.

Why am I so thankful all of a sudden? And why did it take me so long to realize this? The second, I'm not sure. But the first one is why I am writing to you.

Studying abroad, I have come across more than just French culture; also Spanish, Italian, and other European cultures; plus American culture outside of where I live.
One of the things I've noticed about American culture is that not everyone is as smart as the people I've been surrounded by my whole life.

I'm not trying to be rude or insensitive here! No, no! And I've discussed this with other DU classmates of mine who are studying abroad right now, too. We've been smacked in the face in our encounters with students from other colleges who are having difficulty with the curriculum. Meanwhile, us DU kids are breezing by; working hard, yet barely working; playing hard (and hard to get).

Back to academia.
Today's lesson: accept the things you cannot change, and learn to accept such things early in life, because it will save you much frustration later on.

We won't always be surrounded by such great minds, as evidenced, by our abroad experiences. Now is the time to thrive amongst our like-minded peers and take pride in the fact that we can all intelligently discuss current events, literature, economics, history, chemistry, and culture.
Even when we go off to our eventual careers and settle in new towns with our families, our coworkers and neighbors may not fulfill our ever-inquiring minds. Thanks to our privileged education and upbringing, we are not ignorant; we are not easily placated; and we are not unintelligent. We are a small, but important group of people.

Don't let the pressure or pride of this gift go to your heads, though! Modesty is as important as ever, as I've learned. Bragging about how easy that quiz was; how little you studied; or how much you don't care won't earn you any friends. You can't alienate people, but you can offer to help as much as possible, and be especially understanding. Especially now that you are aware of your own brain power.

So cheers to us! Cheers to our futures and our fortunes, not just monetary! Cheers to the friends we've made, and the ones we'll meet, and let their range of knowledge not barricade the doors to friendship! And cheers to our ability to give thanks for all that we take for granted!

xxo, S

Adventures in laundry land

linge (n.) laundry

As some of you may or may not know, my laundry record is rather spotty.

Wait that sounds weird.

My dirty laundry builds up quickly.

That also sounds weird.

WHATEVER. THE POINT IS, my laundry skills are a little bit lacking. Suffice it to say that I haven't done laundry since I've been here (yes, really). I've had (relatively) clean clothes to wear everyday, but approaching week three, it was time to get serious. So today was the day!

My homestay is an apartment, and there isn't a washer/dryer. I had been notified since day one of living here that when the situation arrose, I would simply say, "I need to do laundry" and then I would receive some money to go do so at a laundromat (laverie) around the corner. No prob, right?

WRONG! I hadn't seen my host mom since Friday (when she ran out of the house to an appointment, reminding me as she went that I must only take showers before dinner, never after) and hadn't had the opportunity to ask for laundry instructions. Fortunately, my housemate was up and about earlier this Sunday morning than I was, had managed to receive said laundry instructions, and could walk me through the process.

Ok, so this isn't awful. I just have to gather up my dirty clothes and walk over to the laundromat.

But this girl did not bring a laundry bag with her to France (and that would probably be one of the last things, besides a hairdryer, that I would ever travel with, by the way).

Thankfully, Housemate has a spare XL Ziploc bag for me. All the clothes fit, but I'm worried that the bag will rip. So I stick it all in my one suitcase (with wheels, kinda) and we head out to la laverie.

BUT THE MACHINES ARE VERY CONFUSING!

In France, you don't pick your load size based on "small" or "medium" or even "super." No. Here you do it by kilograms.

DAMN YOU METRIC SYSTEM! YOU HAVE FOILED MY PLAN ONCE MORE!

Each machine is labeled either "10 kg," "6 kg," or "8 kg" based on how much your clothes weigh. Because everyone automatically weighs their laundry. Yes, of course. What a natural thing to do.

Let me tell you that the 6 kilo machine is very, very small or très, très petite. One of these tiny loads costs 3€20 to run, and that doesn't even include detergent and drying!

Since I have darks and lights, I decide to do two loads in two 6 kilo machines. So I load up the washers and stare at it. I am completely lost and don't know what to do. Thank goodness again for Housemate! She takes me through the process - which contains many more confusing steps.

1) Fork over 40 Eurocents (centimes) into shiny wall-mounted control panel

2) Press one shiny button (yes, only one) and receive laundry detergent from second wall-mounted unit

3) Remove small plastic Solo cup that contains your laundry detergent and deposit detergent into washing machine

4) Fork over more money into blinking wall-mounted laundry robot

5) Press one shiny button (just one at a time, now) corresponding to your correct washing machine

6) TOUCH NOTHING ELSE and the machine begins on its own

7) Repeat steps 4-6 for second washing machine

Then me, housemate, and my annoying suitcase walk back home to wait for laundry being done. End of Laundry Wars Episode I: The Laverie Menace.

When we return, there are people inside who are also doing their laundry. At first I panic because we were gone longer than the time it takes to do one (two) loads of wash and this huge sign hangs overhead:

It declares that "People waiting have the right to take out your laundry." And we thought Sundays at DU were bad.

Fortunately, no one had to resort to removing my laundry and was going about their own business. But they seemed equally confused about the process, which made me feel better. If French people can't figure out their own damn laundromats, then I am not obliged to either!

Apparently, the spin cycle does not exist in France. When I went to remove my clothes from the washer, they were all heavy and soaked. Not dripping wet, but still decidedly wet. Realizing that air dry will probably not work on such clothes, I go ahead and pay more money to dry my clothes.

THIS IS THE MOST INFURIATING PART!

For 70 Eurocents, you get a mere 10 minutes of dryer time! So I think to myself, "Ok France, you nuclear-power loving, energy-conscious, progressive, environmentalists, you. Your giant dryers will give me my precious 70 centimes' worth of dry clothes."

OH HOW WRONG I WAS.

As it sounds, 10 minutes is not enough time in the dryer. My clothes came out damp.

Well, we found the French equivalent of the spin cycle.

Having lived in France for a whopping three weeks now, I've walked some. Just some. And I've seen some clothes hanging out to dry. Just some. Out of some windows and on some clotheslines. Just some. So I think to myself again, "Ok France, you voyeuristic, money-saving, traditionalist, small town green movement freaks: Your provincial ways of drying clothes will work for me, too"

WRONG AGAIN! I MUST STOP THINKING TO MYSELF.

(Note to self: stop thinking to self. Wait - no! - stop it, stop it...)

Back at home I go to hang up my clothes around my room, since I have no clothesline. I thought I finally understood the overwhelming plethora of cheap hangers I found in my closet that first day! Here I am, feeling so Snow White about using the fresh air of a Sunday in the South of France to dry my clothes and being all eco when my host mom comes home.

She takes one look at my room (the doors are open so I can air dry even more clothes the French way) and says, "Oh no no. We don't do that. You can't have your clothes hanging around all over the place."

Well, she said that, but in French.

So I get all apologetic, insist that the dryer at the laundromat didn't work, but nope. Still gotta take down all my hard work. She gave me money that it cost to do my laundry (actually she gave me less than it cost, just 5€ because that's all I'm supposed to spend, apparently. Well not when you gotta dry your clothes for 5,987,120 bajillion Euros!!!!!) and that was it.

Very French in her way of just stating facts - what we do and don't do - and leaving it at that. If you don't understand, well, sucks to suck.

Yes. Yes it does suck to suck. Because my clothes will now never, ever, not in a million years get dry. See new method below:

1) Keep clothes on random, assorted, sketchy hangers

2) Stick in closet

3) Pray that they get dry somehow 

4) Save lots of money, earn lots of frustration

End of Laundry Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clothes

Sadly, I don't think that Laundry Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Steph will take place today. But when I do somehow figure out how to dry my goddamn clothes without spending approximately $9,278,074 trillion (not the so-rumored 5 bucks) do not doubt that I won't inform you!

If you remain uninformed, I have probably not discovered this magical mystery method. And it will be more like Laundry Wars Episode IV: No Hope.

Before I leave you, I'd just like to share some evidence that totally supports (read between the lines here, people) my host mom's claim that hanging your clothes to dry does not occur:

xxo, S

Things I never learned how to say in French

It's been nine years since my very first French class, and I've realized there are still many (simple!) things that I don't know how to say. Here are just a few:

"Helpful"
"What time would be best for you?"
"Looking forward to..."
"I feel like crap"
"It was nice to meet you"
"Bar" (turns out it's still "bar")
"I can't wait!"

More to come as I continue on this journey of self-discovery... more about my knowledge gaps, that is.

xxo, S

Quote me on this

I have seen all of these movies many, many, multiple times. Over and over. Again and again. Hundreds of times. Countless times. So many times, in fact, that I could very well quote them all the way to the end.
Gladiator was on recently and my host mom told us how she loves it and it's the only movie she's seen four or five times. Imagine that! Being able to count the movie you've seen the most! Inspired by her love for a movie I've never seen (sorry, Dad) I decided to make this list.

Give me any quote from any of these movies and I can go tip-for-tat on a quote-that-conversation marathon with you. Well, 99% sure I can.
Here are the movies, in no particular order, complete with (what I think is) the best quotes.


1) Mean Girls

Quote: And on the seventh day, God invented the Winchester rifle. So we could shoot the dinosaurs. And the homosexuals. 

Runner-up: Suck onnnnnn THAT!

2) It's A Wonderful Life

Quote: We serve hard drinks to men who wanna get drunk fast.

3) Wall-E

Quote: Diirrrrrrective. 

Runner-up: Wow, I didn't know we had a pool!

4) Up

Quote: "Please let me in Mr. Fredrikson." "No."

5) Finding Nemo

Quote: The EAC, duuuude. 

Runner-up: He touched the butt.

6) The Incredibles

Quote: You sly dog! You got me monologuing! 

Runner-up: ...because leading experts say, Mozart makes babies smarter...

7) Kung Fu Panda

Quote: Noodle, no noodle. Quit, don't quit. We do not know what will be.

8) Catch Me If You Can

Quote: No, no, no... yes, yes, yes!

Runner-up: Two mice fell into a bucket of cream...

9) The Hangover

Quote: It's not a man purse. It's a satchel. Indiana Jones has one.

Did I cheat a little by having five animated films? But aren't they some of the best animated films you've ever seen?!

Of course, I consider all of these to be great movies (although not the best ever made). My absolute favourite movies? We'll just have to wait for another blog post, now won't we?

xxo, S

Start of week two!

Today I learned a few interesting things…

1. Aix is the most expensive city to live in France, outside of Paris.
2. When you buy a TV in France, you must declare it, and pay a tax to have it in your house every year.
3. The French know a lot more about American political history than most Americans. For example, I had never heard of Pinochet until today (could just be my education, but no one else in the class had, either).
4. When someone wishes you “good day!” in France (or “bonne journée!”) you can reply “you too!” by saying “également!” which literally translates to “equally.”
5. The Marchutz School of Art here in Aix (and part of the IAU) is named after Léo Marchutz who was the first to purchase a Cézanne painting.
6. Photography comes from the Greek words phos and graph meaning “light” and “drawing.” As you can see, I had my first photographie class today.

My photo class is Intro to Black and White Photography, and we will be using all digital cameras. So my little Lumix guy will do! While it only meets once a week (on Mondays), we have weeklong assignments. First up, experiment with b&w photos by taking some around Aix. Sounds pretty simple, but even when I was walking around today during the “Golden Hours” of the late afternoon, it was difficult to spot scenes that had interesting lighting. My eyes will be more peeled than potatoes this week!

Also related to film (of a sort) is my cinéma français class. We began our first movie today, Les enfants du paradis (Carné, 1945) and – boy! – do these French actors speak quickly! As difficult as it is to watch old American films, old French films are even harder. But I am determined to understand it all! Having picked up some film criticism knowledge from my class at DU, I am excited to apply it to a new series of cinema masterpieces.

Monday is my most packed day of classes, but in addition, I had an introductory interview for an internship that will be part of my studies here in Aix. So at 5pm (17h) I walked to the top floor of the IAU to wait to get my internship assignment and submit my schedule of hours. Approved by the IAU but not yet by the company, I will be interning (hopefully!!!) for an art events specialist, who works a lot with Italian clients, apparently. No italiano, per favore – I don’t speak any! But no time like the present to learn some! With that checked off my list, I’m just waiting for a second, official interview with my potential-future boss and I will be back to intern-dom.

After such a busy weekend and long school day, I’m glad to have some time to chill and write. It sure doesn’t take long to get tired around here! And now that we’re officially on week two of IAU school, it’s only going to pack my schedule tighter. Fret not! For the weekends are my playtime and I’m researching places to go and things to do. Can anyone say Bordeaux?!

xxo, S

Coast trip to Nice and Monaco

We woke up early on Saturday get to the bus at 8:15am and began the drive to Nice. Stopped at a gas station along the way. If all gas stations were like that in the US, I wouldn't be as scared to pee during long car trips! Touch screen machines to get coffee from; fruit bread and veggies in the convenience store; clean bathrooms and showers available.

When we arrived in Nice we soon realized how crazy it must be to organize and orient over 100 excited American college students. Our generous chaperones were shouting directions to no one in particular, announcing times and meeting places as we scattered in all directions, and suggesting places to go after we had our minds made up. In short: there was a lot of commotion and confusion. BUT we still had a great time.

streets of Nice with the waterfall visible above

flower market

A bunch of us went straight to the beach after a casual and delicious lunch outside at a cafe in the farmers market. Unreal how cool it is to eat right next to the market. 

At the beach there was no sand; instead just many, many flat stones and pebbles. A bit tricky to walk on but unexpectedly comfortable. The water wasn't as cold as everyone said it would be. So salty though! We swam around for a while enjoying the feel of the water. I hadn't been to the beach all summer long! Had to go all the way to the south of France. Totally worth it.

la plage in Nice

After chilling on the beach for a while with a lot of the other kids a few of us trekked up to the waterfall. This was an incredible walk because it was up all these stairs that had been first built in the 1600s. They zig-zagged up the hill to the waterfall, which overlooked the town and beach of Nice.

stairs to the top of La Cascade du Château

view from the top

La Cascade du Château
and a rainbow!

We stopped at almost every landing and patio spot to take pictures and catch a breath. Because not only was the view breathtaking but all that walking was - whew! - quite tiring. I wanted to jump back in the ocean afterwards but we didn't have time. We did, however, see a gaggle of kids cliff jumping at the far end of the beach... Including as we later learned some of our friends! K-bird said it was some twenty feet down, super terrifying, but super exhilarating too. Some day....

view during our drive to Monaco

Then it was back on the buses to drive to Monaco and to our hostel. IAU kids have been staying at this place for many years and it is not far from the city center of Monaco. So amazing! It is set into a hill that slopes down to the sea and the entire place is overflowing with lush gardens.

our hostel location

We didn't spend much time here though because it was time to get ready for Monte Carlo - and not in much time!

Now I don’t know how they expected ninety girls to go from the beach to the casino with only an hour to get ready. In my room we had a crazy "car wash" style shower sesh during which we kept running in and out of the tiny shower trying to get clean in the shortest amount of time possible for five people. It worked! As crazy as it sounds we all showered, dried off, got dressed up, and were ready for dinner and the casino!

There was a "cocktail hour" in the cafeteria before dinner. With everyone standing around in their dress clothes at a hostel cafeteria, we were quite a sight to be seen. Dinner was good (and the company even better!) and then we ran off to the buses AGAIN (always running to these damn buses) for our ride into Monaco.

It felt a little bit like prom or formal since it was a bus full of kids all dressed up and going to have a good time. When we arrived it was 9:30pm (21h30). Before going into the grand casino, I walked around the back of it where there were some walking paths with views of the harbor. And there were a lot of big boats, which had dropped anchor for parties that night! You could see the flashing lights and hear the music from all the way across the harbor.

And that was as exciting as it got.

Inside, the Monte Carlo casino was huge, bright, and silent. Not the usual hangout for college kids. While all of us were dressed to the nines and looked the part completely, few people were actually gambling (not I certainly! I don't even know any of the games!) so there wasn't much to do or watch.

I ended up leaving to walk around and get ice cream with a few other girls. Haagen Dazs in Monaco is fancy!!! They had menus with fancy desserts described inside and brought everything to our table. Ok so I did get to be a little spoiled after having dressed up so nice :)

Eventually it was time to leave and go back to the buses and go to bed. Everyone was definitely ready to leave (like I said, Monte Carlo? Not that exciting when you're only 20). Once back, I just changed into PJs and fell asleep.

Le Grand Casino Monte Carlo

Sunday morning we woke up in time to catch the tail end of breakfast. After checking out of the hostel it was back on the buses (again!) and into Monaco (again!) for the morning. We saw the palace and the cathedral, where Princess Grace is buried.

Principality of Monaco

But the majority of time was spent walking around and having lunch. Almost everywhere in the city has a great view of the harbor and the sea. Such a pretty day and the water is so blue! I also got to see more of the funky vegetation that grows here in the South if France. Cacti, cyprus, fig, pine, olive, and other trees grew near many if the walkways.

streets of Monaco

After we left Monaco, we went for a tour at the Fragonard perfume factory, which is right next to the tiny, medieval town of Èze.

parfume smelling station. they go to one of three "nose schools" to become a parfumeur and there are only 500 "noses" in the world

along the Chemin de Nietzsche to get to Èze

I didn't know much about Eze and since it was 3pm (15h) on a Sunday when we went (for only 1 1/2 hours too!) I didn't learn much about it until I went home.

 

church bell tower

view from the town; cemetary in Èze 

carpe diem sundial

And then all that was left was the long drive back to Aix! I slept the entire way to Nice on Saturday so it was nice to be awake and see some more of the countryside. There is a decent mountain rage (Ligurian Alps) that you can see the entire drive. And the highway (l'autoroute) is very winding. Everyone else slept and I don’t blame them after such a late night and long day, but I wrote some postcards and got to see the southern French countryside illuminated in shades of gold bronze and green by the setting late summer sun. Tell me what's much better than that?

in Èze

Had a great trip and hope I get to come to the coast again soon!

xxo, S