"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 :)

Greetings from Antibes-Juan les Pins (Adventures with MooReece con't)

Salut la visite!

As I write this we have arrived safe and soundly and moved into our home away from home (aka the Bedrock) for the next month. This lovely little hole in the wall is located at 26 rue du Haut Castelet and is apparently one of the most picturesque streets in all of the French Riviera. We are located right in the middle of the OLD town of Antibes, only a few hundred meters away from the Remparts (old city wall which is well over a few centuries old) and only a few more hundred meters away from the nearest beach. SHOCK - Mooreece and I have not had the opportunity to step foot on one yet... but that shall come soon. Been too busy exploring and getting our bearings. This town is a MAZE of alleyways and backways and sideways that all lead to either the town square or the water. It's so easy to get lost, you can't get lost, just keep walking and you'll always end up at either end somehow.

There are more restaurants in this little itty bitty town than there is in all of Sudbury! No JOKE! Although 90% are French cuisine, there are random SUSHI bars, Indian and Thai restaurants and my personal favourite a FALAFEL shop! I can't believe how everything I've read about French culture is right down to a T! Wine is sold EVERYWHERE! In fact on the corner of our street (or what goes for a street corner in this town) is CAVE A VIN... SO much better than Jem Mart! And if it's not a wine shop, it's a boulangerie! Good thing I've put about 20 miles on my legs since I've been here because I WILL get fat! (And for those of you who I told that an LMI gym was around the corner... not so - it's closed :( But I'm a 10 minute train ride :) I miss my classes already - it's on the menu for Thursdays and Mondays)

We sprung a leak in the bathroom but otherwise the apartment is too cute for words. It's fully stocked (we even have a spice rack) but we have to buy food and toilet paper. NECESSITIES! MooReece and I could really grow to like this place. The weather is PERFECT (not too hot, not too cold) and there are Yachts as far as the eye can see. Maybe I just might get on one - you only live once right? HAHAHA...

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!