Eat, Live, Love (The Much Anticipated Sequal) - The Bittersweet End to a Long List of Adventures with MooReece

As I sit at my desk in my bedroom in my house in my hometown I can't help but feel a little sad that our journey (mine and Moo's) has come to an end. 10 weeks together, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week can really bring a girl and her miniature stuffed cow close together. Undoubtedly the most exciting, entertaining, scary, stressful and amazing 10 weeks of my life.

I left Canada on the morning of Friday May 28th, 2010 with a suitcase, a carry-on and a series of goodluck charms from many of my friends and family. Some were gifts intended for the trip or lent out (and due to be returned), others from days gone by but all of which I hold dear to my heart and remind me of the people I love back home. For those of you who don't know - Moo was a gift from my best friend many many moons ago - he was attached to a keyring that eventually wore out and has been a permanent passenger in my Jetta ever since. It was only a propos that I bring him along for this extended journey of self-discovery. I would almost break into a fit of tears everytime he got lost in the bottom of my purse. When you travel alone - you need your best buddy with you at all times to keep you sane. But enough about that... what did I learn?

I learned so much about the world, cultures, politics, human kindness (and human irritability), food, language, food, the wonders of walking EVERYWHERE, food and most importantly MYSELF. As cliche as it may be, these trips, whether intended as periods of soul searching or not always amount to that. I left at the best of times and also the worst of times. Everything fell perfectly into place so that I could go on this trip, I had the money, time and opportunity to pursue this and like my friends all said "YOU HAVE TO GO!" It was something I had ALWAYS wanted to do and it was the chance to realize my biggest dream (marrying Adam vanKoeverden aside haha). Nevertheless, nothing I ever do can be that simple. I had to stir the pot and throw some fuel (ok more like gunpowder) on the fire that had been becoming my life just before leaving. And by just before - I mean like 20 minutes before my friend picked me up to drive me to the airport. But hey - that's how I roll afterall right? Not to mention I'd be 6000+ km away and wouldn't have to worry about being burned by the explosion. Needless to say it wasn't the best idea but it had to be done and it surely could not wait, or worst, not be dealt with at all. Then fear, jet lag and homesickness set in and sent me on this emotional roller-coaster that I thought would have me coming home within the first week. Will power and self-determination are incredible motivators - and as hard as I am on myself sometimes, one thing I am is determined and stong willed. I just never realized how deeply those traits were ingrained into my being. I forced myself through the hell of that first week and little by little it got easier. Or at least I tried to convince myself that it was. Things back home were still unresolved and I was losing my mind with worry. I know, I know... ME WORRY??? NEVERRRRRR.... HAHAHA Thankfully I made some of the best friends I could ever ask for and I was living in PARADISE! I could not have been more blessed and I kept reminding myself of the dream I was living and each day kept getting easier...

I had a little slip up in between Antibes and Paris when it was soooooo HOT and I was teething and suffering from massive migraines. Travelling+sick = BAD COMBINATION. My sanity started to slip and I couldn't wait to come home. I hated my first days in Paris. It was dirty, smelly, crowded and just plain UGH! I would have traded my BonJovi collection to come home. But then the ickiness faded, I made a new best friend whom I will cherish FOREVER and started falling in love with my life all over again. For Pete's Sakes I was living IN PARIS!!! Suck it up Princess and start having a good time! So I did. So much so that coming home was somehow worst than leaving in the first place. I worked so hard to get through the challenges that brought me to this Zen and now I had to leave it. Heck, I could navigate line 4 of the Paris metro without flinching - that's Zen baby! Just like every good book though, it eventually has to come to an end. And although my adventures might be temporarily suspended, my journey of self-discovery has just begun and I look forward to the many MANY adventures that are sure to be just up ahead.

I left Canada with a broken heart and a need for change and I came back with that change and the realization that a broken heart is only an illusion, what is real are the things, places and PEOPLE that you love and who love you regardless of where you are on the planet. So to all of you who have followed and kept in touch via email/facebook/skype thank you for caring so much. You have all played an integral roll in this journey and proved to me once and for all that "Love knows no borders"


J'vous aime TOUS and it's good to be HOME! xoxo

Never Judge a Book By Its Cover - unless it's a picture book that is... (Adventures with MooReece and Hippoppotame)

My shuttle picks me up in 6 hours, I'm packed, the apartment is clean and I've said goodbye to my loved ones (or rather "see you later, alligator"). Despite doing all of that, and enjoying a wonderful farewell meal of Falafel and Pantheon Ice Cream and knocking back the last of my Kronenbourg, I'm still not believing that this fairytale is coming to an end.

Paris has been a hard sell but she's quite the saleswoman! I came here in the mother of all heat waves, starting a cold and my wisdom teeth piercing through and I all but threw in the towel before even giving the city a chance to prove herself. Luckily I had my beautiful friends (old and new) to keep me afloat until I sucked it up princess and started having fun. The old adage "you never know what you have until it's gone" is so very TRUE! I just spent the last 4.5 weeks LIVING IN PARIS! I mean I walk by Notre Dame everyday, the Louvre like it's no big deal. The Eiffel is a bore... heck I don't even bother going to see the Arc de Triomphe until my last day! And so now that I'm leaving I just want to chain myself to one of those palm trees at Paris Plage and stay here forever! I just needed to cut Paris some slack, it can't be easy being the most tourist infested city on EARTH! I blamed the city, but it's not Paris' fault. Paris is perfect and charming and beautiful (minus the ickiness...) and just wants to be loved like everyone else.

Et bien Paris, je t'aime de tout mon coeur et on se reverra bientot!

Tu me manqueras!

xoxo Amy et MooReece (et maintenant Hippoppotame :))

OUI c'est NORMAL! Happiness like only a laugh on the Seine can bring (Adventures with MooReece con't)

I've officially decided to name my next cyber project "FMAVIEdotcom" (please note that "dot" has to be pronounced with a french accent because HERE they don't say "pointcom" like we do in "quebecois", they say "dot" with their charming accent - but wait, we've been through this - the French don't have the accent - I do!!! Oy this is complicated!)

You see I will be leaving France in well under 48 hours now and I just spent the most lovely evening with my bestie just doing the "Paris" thang. We enjoyed a lovely dinner (note that we were seated next to Canadian tourists and HOLY COW we DOOOOO sound soooo funny!! I knew they were Canadian right away!!! I've heard enough different French to know my people when I hear them - AWESOME!!! I never would have noticed the difference 2 months ago). We had "Pantheon" Ice Cream (photos to come) and sat on the Pompidou pavillion where we were entertained by an asian man with an accoustic guitar singing pop/folk classics. LaBamba, Twist and Shout, Mrs Robinson, You're the one that I want, Unchained Melody (but I didn't hear that one...Jill caught it though LOL) and after asking me where we were from he sang some Bryan Adams "Everything I Do" and some Joni Mitchell! He was a riot and it was such a awesome way to spend an hour chillaxing with all sorts of people and catching some live entertainment. Jill and I are lucky that way - strolling into free and AWESOME entertainment! GO US! We said our goodbyes after our posteriors were beginning to be permanently imprinted with cobblestone outlines and headed towards the Seine.

Other than the Seine River (which is GROSS, to put it lightly) there are no bodies of water for public enjoyment anywhere near Paris. So every summer the city of Paris opens up "Paris Plage" where they literally turn the banks of the Seine into a beach area (they even truckload in the sand!) There are beach stands, beach chairs, water fountains and sprinklers to keep yourself cool - the only thing you can't do is swim! We decided to check it out and I must say I was quite impressed with the entire outfit. Very well patroled, no vehicles (but bikes unfortunately), mostly locals, street acts and entertainment all over the place and even "petit foot" tables (that's FOOZE for you non-frenchies). I think it's great that the city pulls this together because this city is so stressful and hot and icky - it's amazing to just go out to the river and relax as you would at the beach anywhere. It's no French Riviera or Deauville - but when you're in a pinch - and you're always in a pinch in Paris - it's a great substitute. We parked ourselves back down on the side of the Seine (I carefully removed my sandals as to not have them fall in the river) and laughed laughed laughed for the next 2 hours. It's been a long time since I laughed that hard for that long - people had to think we were drunk! Unfortunately for all of you it's all inside-joke stuff that just wouldn't translate well and the effect would be lost so I won't bore you with the details. Suffice to say that we had quite possibly the BEST evening of our entire stay in Paris and there isn't another soul I would rather have shared "CE SOIR" with. Jill looked over at me at one point and asked "What are you thinking about?" and I thought about it and looked back and said "nothing" and for the first time ever I actually meant that. I had really been thinking about NOTHING - I was fully present and loving the moment that I was in - perfect in every aspect. I was 100% happy and there wasn't a single thought going through my mind. AMAZING!

Paris has been loud, pushy, annoying, smelly, frustrating, angry and just a royal pain in the you-know-where but after fighting against all of that I've finally realized that at the end of the day - that's PARIS! I'm living IN PARIS! I can walk by the Louvre and Notre-Dame and think it's no big deal...whatever. I can enjoy picnics and impromptu displays of hillarity on the Seine - just because... I can choose to be pushed, annoyed, frustrated, angry and bothered by the madness of this city or I can embrace it and love it like it was my home all along. This city IS beautiful, you just have to look a little deeper to see it. I am so grateful to have had this opportunity and I can finally say with confidence that it hasn't been wasted because after 4 weeks I can definitely say that Paris has been my HOME!

Ouistiti!!

SeNsOrY oVeRlOaD!!! mY hEaD iS aBoUt To ImPlOdE!!! (Adventures with MooReece and Jill)

For those of you who are interested to know what the heck my newest album is about let me first tell you that I have no idea myself. I'm of course referring to my photo album called "Twilight zone meets MJ sick dream" which is a collection of photos my Paris bestie Jill and I took on an evening expedition of Parc de la Vilette.

Why Parc de la Vilette you ask? I mean there are so many things to see and do in Paris, why go to some random park no one has really ever heard of? Well my friends, that's exactly WHY I suggested to go there. You see, Jill and I are SICK of SIGHT-SEEING! She's been to Paris several times already and seen everything SEVERAL times already and well I've been here almost 2 months (but it feels like 2 years) and I'm done with the museums and the expositions and lineups and the TOURISTS! In all honesty I wasn't much into that in the first place. Luckily for me I get to see most of the cool monuments and sites through my class and so that frees up my time to do things that I WANT to do. Like?? Explore the parks around the city. I had read in one of my travel books (books I've rarely ever used other than to check off things that I've seen) about this Parc de la Vilette and the unique scultures that can be found there. Not much else was explained. Furthermore, in class that day the professor mentionned the park and the science centre that is adjacent and said if we had time it's worth the trip up line 7 to go check it out. Again, not much detail given so I just assumed (NEVER ASSUME FOLKS!) that it was a park, just like every other park, with statues etc in it, only that these would be modern as opposed to classical etc etc...

So after scoring 10 points for my excellent flirting with my favourite "perfect parisian specimen" I throw out the suggestion to Jill that we go chillax in this parc de la Vilette as we were both on the border of falling asleep standing up. The photo album of randomness is the result of our impromptu "chillaxing" in the park.

Needless to say from the second I seen the giant reflective sphere behind this George Pompidou-like centre I was in LOVE! I mean it's the SPHERE!!! It has the capability of manifesting all your dreams and desires (and also your worst nightmares - so tread carefully). With great power comes great responsibility! (Couldn't help myself, sorry). For those of you who haven't seen SPHERE - Movie night CHEZ MOI when I get home! Warning now - I know almost every line! Anyways... if that wasn't cool enough we see directional signs pointing to various things (that we have no idea what they are) and we see one pointing to *Zenith*. You all know you would head in that direction ASAP! So we did... only to be mesmerized, magnitized, confuzzled and befuddled around every corner. NOTHING in this park is normal. NOTHING is this park makes sense. NOTHING in this park is logical. It is a pure mish-mash or randomness thrown onto something like 55 hectars of land. There is a giant water mill. A giant bicycle that is 2/3 burried in the ground. Oodles of red climbing structure thingies (one with cows on it). Spinney chairs! WEEEEEEEE!!!! A field to watch outdoor movies. What else... oh gosh our brains were on sensory overload! But we continued on in search of this "Zenith" following the signs as instructed until we ended up back where we started with a sign pointing back to where we had just come from. WHAT THE?!?!?!?!?! How do you miss something called the "Zenith"? It's got to be pretty impressive to be called that "n'est-ce-pas?" Well apparently not... or maybe we just weren't endowed with the magical powers necessary to experience it?

We walked into an exhibit called "Le reve americain" which was a series of lifelike statues of people in different ages and professions all "living the american dream" but not as "dreamy" as the rest of the world makes it out to be. It was quite a depressing exhibit. Fascinating and fantastic but sombre. We left Vilette scratching our heads and we still laugh about it. We will never forget our impromptu promenade through one of the strangest and most RANDOM places ever! T'was a GREAT adventure for sure!

p.s. Why would you need to strap a lawn chair to the back of your bicycle?

Can I Buy a Vowel? Or Maybe a New Pair of Feet? (Adventures with MooReece)

My professor told me today that I write really well. YAY! I guess I can thank all my "unnecessarily long emails" for all the practice that I get. And NO I never get sick of being complimented on my writing (especially because I don't consider it to be all that good myself). Nevertheless I obviously have a passion for words - and LOTS of them :)

My feet are in every kind of pain. Those little pins and needles you get from standing too long, heel spurs from walking too much in shoes that I'm literally wearing down, blisters on top of blisters on top of blisters, in-grown toenails and dry cracked heels. Sad thing is, I'm FINALLY starting to like this place - it's growing on me afterall. I still don't want to live here in Paris, but hand it to me to fall in love just before I leave - HA! (with the city people - with the CITY - don't get your hopes up.... although my perfect parisian specimen flashes me smiles all the time and comes to chat me up randomly so I try to control the urge to become a total fool around him *insert silly girlish giggle here* - oh yes he is THAT beautiful and FRENCH! - I tried to get a picture... but I'm not so stealthy - next week for sure during our farewell dinner!) Anyways...FOCUS AMY! Yeah, Paris isn't SO bad... and if it wasn't 500 degrees everyday it would probably be quite enjoyable. Not to mention watching the sunset at the top of the Eiffel Tower (after climbing it with my schoolbag, purse, sandals and a white dress in 30 degree weather) is definitely worth the 8.50E. Climbing it with friends is that much better. That's right FRIENDS! Can you believe it? I mean don't get me wrong, Moo is GREAT company but he's not much of a talker...

Everyday I seem to change my mind. I was so disheartened when I got to Paris because I missed Antibes so much that I wasn't open to enjoying everything Paris has to offer, then I was tired all the time and just wanted to come home and now I'm FINALLY loving it here and dare I say it - not want to go home? I mean this lifestyle is ridiculous and unsustainable and I love routine way too much to ever become a professional globetrotter but if I could be sedentary for an extended period of time, I would have no problems making the transatlantic move.

That being said - as AWESOME as Europe is - it's NO CANADA! I miss my big beautiful and EMPTY country - and days that aren't 4 weeks long. NO JOKE - it feels like I went to Normandy last month, not 2 days ago - time STANDS STILL!

And No We Haven't Been Drinking... (Adventures with MooReece con't)

Ok so I just had this wonderful blog all typed up and my sticky fingers must have hit something (that wasn’t SAVE) and well I lost it all. GAH!!!

Do I really need to redescribe my trip to Chateau de Versailles for ya’ll? Nah..if you care you can just ask me when I get home and I will tell you all about it. I will just say however that it really IS as incredible to see as they say it is, it is the most visited Chateau in France for a reason. It is UNBELIEVABLE! But, like Venice, it’s something you only need to see once. You WANT to see it, I can promise you that – but once you’ve seen it – you’ve seen it. I loved it and I’m glad I made time to go – Louis XIV was definitely an ambitious King.

I spent the weekend in Normandy. A pre-planned trip organized through my study abroad agency. We left bright and EARLY on Saturday and got back around 19h30 this afternoon (Sunday for those of you keeping track). A busy and jam packed weekend with not nearly enough time in any of the places to really truly appreciate them. What a TREAT to get the heck out of Paris! What a beautiful country side with farmland and trees and fresh air and sunshine and HAPPINESS! Quiet, calm, relaxed and wonderful. I LOVE NORMANDY – land of Camembert and Calvados! We visited Bayeux to see this giant tapestry (which sounds lame but is actually REALLY REALLY COOL – again won’t bore you with details unless you want to know) then headed off to the Pointe du Hoc and Omaha Beach to see the D-Day landing sites. We finished by visiting the US military cemetery is St-Laurent and I have to say, you haven’t been to a cemetery until you’ve been to a military cemetery like that. It is breathtaking and heartwrenching at the same time. It is so beautifully kept and respectful and extraordinary – white marble crosses (and stars of David) spread out in perfectly symmetrical rows. Each one was a person once upon a time who died in a horrific scene so that we can live the way we do today. I majored in the Holocauste and the events of the 2nd World War and so this was a real experience for me – one that I will keep with me forever. Never take anything for granted... and never forget to tell the people you love how much they mean to you – so many DIED so that we can do just that.

We stayed in the cutest little hotel (see pictures) and were treated to a really FRENCH 3 course dinner. It was very good as long as you don’t ask what you are being served. Pooched from late nights and long drives and treated to my own TV I plopped myself on my bed and watched some French tele and fell asleep with it on.

Today we had some free time (but not nearly enough) to explore Deauville – my new FAVOURITE town! This place is quite possibly the cutest, most beautiful, awesomest place on EARTH! It has the biggest, most amazing beach I’ve ever seen, high end boutiques for those of us with a retail habit and the cutest architecture I’ve ever seen – right out of a fairly tale. I picked up a real estate magazine – scoping out my new digs. I can instruct at the Health Club by the beach – no worries. BodyPUMP sur la PLAGE  After rushing out of Deauville we headed to the Calvados (Apple Liqueur) distillery for a quick tour, sampling and apple pie. WOOT WOOT! Let’s just say the Calvados will definitely wake you up! Another BEAUTIFUL spot as well – actually it was quite depressing to think we had to go back to Paris – most of us were definitely ready to pitch a tent in the Calvados yard and just hang out there forever. We’ll pitch in and work at the distillery – no problemo! Tell us what to do. We finished our tour of Normandy with a visit to the Caen War Memorial Museum. Again, not nearly enough time – had to rush through it – but at least we had audioguides making it easier to go through the exhibit. Lots had to be skipped – but I bought books. 1 got damaged by my water bottle though  NOT IMPRESSED!

All that to say that Normandy was AMAZING and just another highlight to the neverending AWESOME times I’ve had in Europe thus far. Paris has not won my heart – but if Normandy proposed I would say OUI OUI without thinking twice.

In the middle of a torrential downpour and you're watering your roses? - Only in Paris (Adventures with MooReece con't)

I've been in Paris for exactly 2 weeks now and let me tell you, it's been an INTERESTING 2 weeks. It feels like Antibes and the Riviera are years behind me now as I fight against the organized (ok well maybe not organized) chaos that is the Parisian way of life. Frankly I don't know how people live like this, it's not just a big city thing - it's a PARIS thing. Although I haven't travelled extensively, I am convinced there is nowhere else on Earth quite like this insanely condensed and manic capital. Only in Paris can you be in a constant rush and yet never be in a hurry to get there. Patience is a virtue in this place - it is teaching me great restraint.

I don't consider myself a tourist (except for when I whip out my camera and start clicking frantically) and everyday is an experiment in parisian life and trying to understand how and WHY they do it. Only in Paris can you cross at a green walking light and still get run over. Only in Paris can you walk further inside a metro station than it would take to walk there directly. Only in Paris will a bird poop on your computer as you sit in the park to type your blog (yep.. just happened - TERRIFIC!) Only in Paris can you walk home in a torrential downpour to witness a man "watering" the flowers outside his appartment block. And by "watering" I don't mean with a hose. Only in Paris can you meet more non-parisians than parisians. In fact, I have met more anglophones than francophones (and yes I realize these are Canadian terms, but you are mostly all Canadian and won't judge me or look at me like I'm from Mars for using such vocab.)

I finally understand why the French have no concept of personal boundaries or the space bubble. If you've ever ridden the Paris metro, you won't anymore either. Try being sandwiched daily between strangers of every shape, size and smell in 45 degree heat while couples take the opportunity to express the most intense forms of PDA I've ever had the non-pleasure of practically being involved in due to my uncomfortably close proximity. Have I ever mentionned my general anti-PDA rule? UGH! But this is the city of Love right? Well I have yet to feel the romance or anything resembling anything other than annoyance in my bried stay thus far. In fact, I was quietly enjoying my sit here in this lovely park all alone by a pretty tree and am now surrounded by an entire class of 4 year olds prancing around and SCREAMING! And we all know how much I LOVE CHILDREN! The parks ARE beautiful and they are where I spend most of my time. It's as close to nature as it gets here and for the most part they are quiet and peaceful.

In conclusion, I still have NO IDEA why anyone would ever want to LIVE here permanently. I suppose if you've always lived here, you don't know anything else...but why would anyone want to MOVE here PERMANENTLY! It's a 24/7 madhouse of cranky and creepy people who will either stalk you or not give you the time of day if you aren't a perfect parisian yourself. Don't get me wrong, Paris has it's MANY charms but would ultimately be more enjoyable without being pushed and shoved and stepped on while trying to get a glimpse of the Mona Lisa.

This must be just like living in PARADISE (and I don't wanna go hoooome!) (Adventures with MooReece con't)

Ok so here is my attempt at a video blog. Camera shy of course and you might hear me whisper things here and there but this is the route I take from the corner of Rue de la République (main street) to home (aka 26 rue du Haut Castelet). I wanted you all to see it because as good as I am with words (hahaha) I could never do this justice. If this video blog is successful I might try a few more to show you the Mediterranean (and how close I am to it) and a few things around town :) Stay tuned...

"WOOHOO!" en français = "ALLER!" (Adventures with MooReece con't)

My search for a gym that has real LMI programs has finally come to an end. Last night MooReece and I took the Bus #10 upto Sophia Antipolis to go find Fitlane. I was informed that it was only a 2 minute walk from the bus depot up there (but I was not told in which direction). Of course I had 3 to pick from. So I "eenie meenie miney" it and start walkin'. In no time I'm in a town square but no gym in site and of course no map. AWESOME! So I keep going until I see someone coming towards me and ask for directions. Low and behold I was going in the right direction and Fitlane was literally around the next bend. More like 5 minutes from the bus depot.

I walk in and ask for the lady I had been in contact with but she was teaching. So I waited. I sat and read LMI pamphlets in French and learned the names of the tracks and moves en français. The colours of Fitlane are Red and White (sound familiar?) Very nice place actually - quite new I would think. So I finally meet with Magali and I get signed up for a much reduced price with the "ok" to get on stage when if I want to. WOOHOO!! PUMP wasn't until 630 so I hung around town and made my way back. They have the cool plates with handles which are SO MUCH easier to handle (except the DONS... the DONS still SUCK LOL!) The instructor taught 73 so I knew it all and it was just so nice to be back on familiar ground (even if he was calling everything out in French). Note a "single" is a "siingel" hahaha and "WOOHOO!" is "ALLER!!!" (for those of you dying to know). I followed it up with RPM! Like Sudbury PUMP and RPM seem to rule the schedule so I have LOTS to pick from...but only 2 ATTACK. I did RPM and PUMP tonight again but in reverse order. It's good to be back!!

Tomorrow I'm ATTACKING - I can't wait to hear/learn all the french lingo. Too much FUN!!! The instructors seem to look at me like I'm from a different planet though (maybe it's my Celine Dion accent.... yes they keep telling me I talk like Celine! Too bad I don't sing like her too. EESH!) The instructing is really strong, cuing and technique dominate here whereas fitness magic (fellow instructors know what I'm talking about) is seriously lacking. I will cut them some slack for now, I've only done 4 classes... stay tuned for an update!

Going back to Monaco tomorrow. Where the streets are paved with Rolls Royces and Ferraris :)

À la prochaine!

p.s. Today's cooking "class" was Ratatouille and "fleurs de courgettes". Although the flowers can only be purchased at this time of year, Ratatouille is FANTASTIC and I will definitely be making is often at home :) WOOT WOOT!

Hey Michael, aren't you supposed to be in Genoa City? (Adventures with MooReece con't)

As previously mentionned St Tropez, Ventimiglia Italy and Monaco Monte Carlo were on the menu this weekend - and what a weekend it has been. MooReece and I have been trekking all over the Cote d'Azur and now we're tired. Here are the highlights of the last few days:

For those of you who know me, most of you know I've been following the Young and the Restless for my entire life (and I mean that very LITERALLY). For those of you who know me WELL or follow Y&R yourselves you will be totally JACKED to learn that Michael Baldwin was ON MY FERRY to St Tropez :D (his real name Christian Leblanc). Michael has always been my FAVOURITE character on Y&R and I was totally taken by surprise when I realized it was him.

I was taking picutres of the scenery on the boat when this man came up from the lower deck to do the same. He politely stopped as to not get in the way of my picture, I smiled, said thank you and told him to go ahead. I then thought to myself "man, he looks just like Michael..." and never thought too much about it after that UNTIL this lady walks up to him and he takes off his shades and shakes her hand. HOLY CATFISH IT IS HIM!!!! I started freaking out (in a very subtle way of course, I surely am not about to show my geek side when my favourite actor is like 2 feet away). So I try and get a picture (the paparazzi that I am) but his back is always turned. DARN! So I tell the girls and they all encourage me to go say hi (which I don't cause I'm a CHICKEN SHIT!) He goes back down and later as we're approaching I go down to go take pictures from the lower deck (and hopefully get a picture or 2 of him to PROVE he was there and I'm not making it up) So here you have it peeps- MICHAEL BALDWIN on MY boat (to and from St Tropez - he's staying in Cannes and doing the tourist thing just like me :))

So if that wasn't excitment enough (although it really WAS the highlight of my weekend and possibly my trip) St Tropez was great too! A HUGE market that we got lost in and this "tarte tropezienne" that puts Krispy Kreme to shame! (YES I'm in France and so I'm INDULGING and I DON'T CARE! Besides I put at least 10 miles/day on these legs...) I DID step in Trozienne waters but with my blisters I didn't swim and had to "operate" when I really I got all this sand in it. GAH! The day started off overcast but when that sun comes out she's intense. All that sunshine, excitement and fresh air had me literally passed out, fully clothed on my bed by 9:30. I had intentions of going out...oh well...

Today: Ventimiglia and Monaco Monte-Carlo!

Up bright and early again to head off to the train station to meet Joanna. Off to Italia we go. At first sight we were worried (didn't look too impressive from the train station...) Luckily making our way to the water front lifted our spirits. Stores here are still closed on Sundays for the most part, so there is very little to do if you don't have a gameplan (which we didn't). The beach there is unbelievable. Rock beach with jumping fish. We stopped to watch what the people on the beach were looking at (sparkling things in the water). Fish were jumping everywhere. TOO COOL! We also decided that if in Italy, we should eat italian. So after pacing and running into some technical difficulties finding FOOD (despite the countless restaurantes along the shore) we settled for some Ravioli and eventually (after more walking) some Gelatto (in Italy = Gelatti... so MooReece asks me why the heck did WE change it to an "o"? Je n'ai aucure idée!) So now when someone asks "what did you do last Sunday?" I can say "I took the train down to Italy and had myself some Ravioli and Gelatto!" Life is GOOD!

Did I mention I set off an alarm in the italian supermarket? Like Mother, like Daughter hahahaha

Monaco Monte-Carlo (in search of some millionaires)

CARS, CARS and EXPENSIVE CARS!! Ferraris left, right and centre and Rolls Royces to drool over. $$$$$$$ Very touristy up by the palace but definitely worth the HIKE (like anything good around here it involves a very long hike UP and then back down...) We didn't pay the 8E to get in though. We made our way to the Cathedral which is hosting an exhibit of Iconographs. BEAUTIFUL! I will go back - my camera died and so I have no pictures. I'd love to go to mass there one day... the Cathedral was only built in 1853 but it's beyond words! My favourite site so far.

Of course to get to the casino we have to walk all the way back down, across town and back UP the other side of the port to get to there. At the top of the hill we are greeted by Valentino and Prada and cars that are worth more than the most expensive house in all of Sudbury. I suddendly feel like I'm in Casino Royale (and only slightly underdressed...) We poke our heads in to check out the Casino only to get as far as the grand entrance and the mini slot room. It's 10E to go in to LOSE your money in Monte Carlo. Neither of us gambles so we passed it up. The millionaires are probably in there but we gambled our chances were slim to none of actually nabbing one. Oh well...next time

Ciao ciao!

Travellin' Han SOLO style! (Adventures with MooReece con't)

Just call me the Lone Ranger (or at least that's what my roomate calls me). I've never had patience for large groups and although I feel like I'm on an alien planet over here sometimes, I still prefer to explore it toute seule (well of course Chewy..uh I mean Moo.. is always with me ;))

Maybe I'm just getting old, but I'm over the whole staying up until all hours drinking/partying only to suffer all through the next day (or 2) ESPECIALLY when there is so much to do. Yes, I have been to the beach, but with this disgusting blister that shows no sign of going away, I'm avoiding the water/sand for fear of infection. Not to worry though, there is more than enough water here for me to stare out at and contemplate philosophical theorems. WOAH - that must be why so many famous philosophers came from around here...they spent all their time staring out at the water. Hmmmm....



Yesterday we hung around town. An american friend (not from the CEA group) and I went shopping and I spent the rest of the evening at home (yes HOME) doing HOME-LY things (like cooking, cleaning and laundry). Une semaine ici and already I'm a local. Little by little I'm giving into the French accent (or should I say pronunciation). My professor keeps picking on me because she thinks I sound funny (in an endearing way) and she makes me re-say words like I was in phonetics class and I sound REDICULOUS! You all know me, I can't fake an accent to save my life - I usually just bust out laughing. Class isn't too torturous though and that's a relief. I'm REALLY rusty (and learning NEW words).

Today, when my CEA people decided to stick around instead of going to Grasse - I said "go NUTS" and packed up Moo and went on my way. No idea where I'm going - just got on a train in the right direction. Grasse isn't like the other places I've been thus far (Golfe Juan, Nice, here in Antibes) where the train station is in the centre of everything. Grasse is not a coast town either - it's in the mountains...(arrière-pays) and so it's built UPwards with the train station at the bottom. After roaming around the station for a while I figured I better take a bus in the direction of Grasse Centre-ville. Good thing because it was like 3-4 miles UPhill...and I mean WAY up.

We got dropped off at museum central where I got to visit (free entry) the perfume museum (not as cheezy as it sounds actually) they had artifacts dating back to 200+ years B.C. It was pretty cool (although the smell was making me a little high). I then went to the Museum of Art and History of Provence which also had some really cool, really old furniture, paintings and artifacts from Louis XV among others. Still having no idea where to go or what there is left to see Moo and I stop for a bite to eat and this cute little roof-top cafe and rest a while. (Side note: does anyone know how to order a bloody coffee in France? They keep giving me Espresso!!! Not that I care - it's hot out so I guess I don't need the 50oz of coffee/day that I normally gulp down). We then ventured off again wandering aimlessly for several hours taking loads of pictures and getting to see some pretty cool sites including a XI century cathedral and a look out point showing me how REALLY high up we actually were. Glad I conquered my fear of heights :)

There is a CASINO is Grasse, but I'm going to Monaco - so why waste my luck here. I did peak inside though. Grasse was interesting and I'm glad I tackled it alone because I could stop and snoop and read and explore everything I wanted to see. Getting back to the train station was a little stressful as I could not find a bus stop to save my soul. When I finally found one I thought I missed the bus - pheww...nope.

I've always been the Lone Ranger type but I wasn't too sure how I would like travelling solo. I LOVE IT! It builds confidence and you have no one else to depend on but yourself to get you out of situations (i.e. getting lost). You have to make your own fun and that's not too hard if you know where to look - and most of the time getting there is 99% of the fun.

Word to the wise though... dont pack a bottle of wine if you plan of trekking for several hours - it gets HEAVY!

St Tropez tomorrow, Monaco and Ventimiglia on Sunday! Yes you read that correctly.

À bientôt!

Move over TUTTI FRUTTI this girl can make CRÈPES :) (Adventures with MooReece con't)

French cuisine is quite something. It is all over the map, from raw seafood to super thin pancakes covered in nutella. The Rivièra has a really strong Italian presence (being so close to the border and all - like Sudbury to Verner close) and that comes through in alot of the menu options found here in Antibes and the surrounding areas.

As a part of my program we have weekly cooking sessions with Kristin (our program director) who introduces us to a famous French dish and teaches us how to make it and allows us to cook it ourselves. This week was CRÈPES and GALETTES! I could hear MooReece cheering from inside my purse. So after class we made our way over the the CEA office where we spent the afternoon making galettes (buckwheat crèpes filled with anything savory - we had ham, eggs, tomatoes and cheese at our disposal) and crèpes (typical sweet pancake-like treat filled with anything sweet at your disposal - we had bananas, strawberries, nutella and ice cream (or glace en français)). It should be noted that galettes and crèpes are about the only things that aren't automatically served with wine here in France. They are served with Cider which still has some alcohol in it, but very little. Did I mention you can drink ANYWHERE here? Public intoxication is frowned upon and yet you can walk down the street with a beer in your hand? Do I really have to come home?

There WAS a twist to Kristin's treat however. In order for us to get to make and eat our yummy French concoctions, we had to try ESCARGOT! *GASP* Now of course MooReece is laughing and obviously grateful he doesn't actually have to eat. I put up a fight (sort of) but Kristin said NO CRÈPES sans qu'on essaye l'escargot. So I sucked it up Princess and went for it. Then I had 2 or 3 more. THAT'S RIGHT!!! If you don't think about it - they are really quite good. And NOT slimey which is what I was most afraid of.

Today we ventured with Kristin to Nice and were treated to Socca a specialitè niçoise. It's another pancake, this time made with chickpea flour. Quite delicious at first but very oily and heavy. In other words - good at first, not so much after the fact. But definitely worth trying. Must be high in protein right?

One thing is certain, you can't get sick of eating the 'same' thing here in France. There are so many restaurants it's impossible to know where to start. Of course there are many different international cuisines around as well. Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Lebanese, British to name a few... And yet I still can't find a coffee à emporter. Can I get a large black to go ANYWHERE? I should have stopped at McDonalds today when we walked by....hahaha NOT! Maybe I'll kick my habit while I'm here. Unlikely...

À la prochaine...

Apparently I'm the one with the funny accent? (Adventures with MooReece con't)

First day of school officially starts tomorrow but today we got our orientation and were given another guided tour of Antibes, Cap d'Antibes and Juan-les-Pins (by bus thank GOD - my feet are soooo blistered it's making it miserable to walk around). We then had our placement test to see which France level French we are at. They consider my accent "très jolie" - I didn't even know I had an accent! Little do they know - THEY are the ones with the adorable speech, it really is quite charming. (Also I learned that "tomber en amour" is a phrase that the French find absolutely adorable - apparently they don't say that here - I have yet to find the equivalent - will keep you posted on that one)

We toured the Cap d'Antibes which is like the Beverly Hills of the area and the road goes all the way around the peninsula. I figure 10-12 km - guess who's going for a run?! MooReece might stay back for that one though. He did very much enjoy the journey up to the lighthouse and Garoupe a chapel up on the mountain which provides us with an amazing view of the entire region. Not to mention we all know how much I love ancient architecture - the chapel was fascinating.

MooReece and I spent the remainder of the afternoon gathering supplies for the apartment and doing some grocery shopping (yes it's still my favourite thing to do even in France!) And you really can buy ANYTHING in a "marché" here. There is a daily "marché" that we have yet to explore but is apparently "the place" to shop in Antibes. The only thing that I can't seem to get here is a COFFEE! Our coffee pot is cracked (which I found out today as I was happily making my first pot and it leaked EVERYWHERE!) and it's not like I can just pop into a Starbucks for a Venti non-fat no-foam dark cherry mocha or even a MickeyDs for a large black! Cups here are literally CUPS like 250 ml... and just as expensive as an XL back home. I think I might just kick my coffee addiction yet seen as it's been 48 hours sans caffeine. Doubt it.

School starts tomorrow and we need to get up extra early to find out which building our classes will be in (fingers crossed mine is in one of the building in the old town...SO CLOSE!) So better wrap it up for the night.

Signing off! A la prochaine :)

Adventures with MooReece - Bags are packed, off we go!

Well to put it simply the last few days have been nothing short of 'stressful'. Leave it to me to wait until the very LAST minute to get everything done and make sure I have everything I need. Aside from my minor meltdown on Thursday night I think I did quite well considering and so far I've only forgotten 1 thing. My camera connector cord to transfer my pictures to my netbook. Luckily though I picked up a card reader in Brussels (well the Brussels Airport) aka largest chocolate store in the WORLD! AHHHHHHMAZING! I'm not even hungry and my mouth is salivating at the endless array of truffles and other delicacies. I am in GODIVA heaven.

It's 9:03 am here and 3:03am back in Sudbury and I've almost been up 24 hours (although I did get a light nap on the plane). A most enjoyable experience so far. Neither Pearson nor Brussels is busy and I found my way around like a pro. One thing I notice as I sit at gate A46 awaiting my boarding call to Nice is that it is VERY QUIET here. There are hundreds of people around and I've been in libraries louder than this. I'm going to fit in GREAT with all these low speaking people. GAH!

Mooreece has already made it into a few pictures (Pearson gate, plane, Brussels...and my personal favourite: STARBUCKS in this beautiful Belgian airport!) I WILL NOT BE STARBUCKS DEPRIVED TODAY! In fact, I've added this mission to my list. To take a picture of every STARBUCKS I see. All for you J! :)

I will be boarding my flight to Nice shortly and by the time you all wake up I will be in the French Riviera. I miss you all already and I'm glad I have Mooreece with me to keep me company until I make some friends in France. This is surreal. I know I'm in a different world now and it's amazing and frightening all at the same time.

J'vous aime bien gros! xoxo Amy

p.s. ALOT of GOOD LOOKING European Men and I haven't even left the airport yet!