Monday: time to relax

Monday, Sept. 10 2:00pm

Nicoise salad and chardonnay at the beach club—oh my. Anchovies and all. This is one of my favorite things. Have been lounging in the sun, reading, resting. Christine is studying back in the hotel lobby. I woke today at 8, then again at 9, and finally at 10—now that is vacation. Strolling down the promenade we stopped for cappuccino. What do these French women do with all these baguettes?? For real—its not a cliché. Baguettes are constantly sold in this country. Are they always just munching on bread? Do they keep it to serve with dinner? The French obviously do not have our fear of carbs. Hard to find an egg or some yogurt for breakfast—all pastries. But French women don’t get fat—there’s a book about it! Moderation, I suppose, but all this white flour! I just adore the pace here. I’ve thought of Harry very often and how he would do with it…he doesn’t much like to wait. Ahhh…next to finish my lunch then for a swim in that glorious blue water.

~~Oh, how I wish I could understand what this table of people sitting next to me is talking about. They’ve been sitting there for at least an hour. Looks like they’ve been smoking Marlboros and have done a couple shots.

~ Bon Jovi I’ll Be There For You at the Aeva Beach Club after a swim~

I bobbed around for a while and did a little more reading before Christine arrived and told me she was heading to Nice in the car. After enjoying an afternoon glass of bubbly as my room was being leaned I took advantage of the giant soaking tub and took a bath. None of our hotels have had washcloths—I guess the French don’t scrub. I’m going to have to visit the Korean spa when I get back to get the full body exfoliation. Christine returned a bit frustrated with driving in Nice so we decided to take the bus to dinner. I wanted to explore Cagnes Sur Mer-the village and castle atop the hill overlooking our resort town and the sea but I could tell Christine was craving the city and, feeling a bit like I jipped her out of Nice, I decided to let it go, imagining all of the wonderful architecture and treasures I would find in Paris. That’s the thing with these trips—you can’t do it all. I’ve just been really conscious to look around me and soak it in. It has been so nice to have a companion on this trip—someone to laugh with, but compromise is required and that’s okay.

After returning the rental car we just missed our train to Paris but we quickly rebooked, leaving time for a cappuccino. We’re not enroute to our final 3 nights in Paris. I’ve got to pick up one of those cheapy little suitcases to handle my overflow. My suitcase is getting a little out of control.

~Just passed Canne. Wow. Gorgeous. Truly the oceanfront estates on the cliff, the yacht anchored out front and 2 sailboats dotting the expanse of flat, blue sea. Just stunning.