2 months already?!?

Time Flies!!
I can't believe i've been over in Europe for 2 months already! Feels like just yesterday I was cramming things into my rucksack and saying my goodbyes.

It's been a bit of a crazy week for me in France. I left Barcelona on the 31st and headed for Marseille. It was an incredibly long, hot and uncomfortable 10 hour bus ride! But I met 3 really nice brothers from NYC though and while we kept in touch, we didn't get a chance to meet up again.
I had a busy 4 days trying to squeeze in all the sights - theres lots to do in Marseille!  FACT: it is the 2nd most populated city in France.
The bus finally arrived in Marseille at 7pm. I was due to meet my host Christophe at his house at 8 so once finding the metro, I was again on my way. After finding his flat and meeting, he suggested a tour to the sea and I stupidly agreed. He lent me his broken bike for a not-so great tour down some really steep hilly path to the cold and windy beach. The mountains were beautiful, but I almost died on the way back home.  FACT: The wind in Marseille has its own name - Le Mistral.  If the wind has to have its own name.. thats a bad sign.

Day 2: Drive through Les Calanques! Beautiful mountains that fall into the sea. We got to take a windy drive through them to see the city Cassis.

That afternoon Christophe told me I had to stay somewhere else because he had to ""work"" the next day, so luckily I found a second host! I met Benjamin that evening and he turned out to be a very nice author who allowed me to stay with him for a few days. (Unfortunately his books were in French!)

Day 3; Visit Chateau D'If!  I thoroughly enjoyed this trip, as Im currently reading the Count of Monte Cristo!

I also visited the beautiful Cathedral and the Notre Dame. FACT: If it's beautiful and really old and something you HAVE to see, its going to be up a hill. ALL THE TIME. There is no exception to this rule. I have thighs of steel to prove it.
That evening I got to enjoy the BEST meal since I arrived in Europe. There was a tiny little cafe called The Tea House that I found with the most amazing quiche and tapenade Ive EVER had! I got lucky and was given the tapenade recipe and can't wait to make it!!

The fourth day was my last day in Marseille. Benjamin and I stayed in to watched the Kindom of Heaven and have yummy chocolate croissants for breakfast. There was a horrible storm, so going out to tour was out of the question. I was also due to leave that evening to go to Monaco anyways; a girl I met at camp a few summers ago was living here and invited me to stay with her family.


Gwen and her parents live in a lovely appartment right on the sea! Every morning I get to wake up and have my tea while watching the yatchs go by. And the helicopters land! The Heliport is right next door. FACT: there are many many rich people in Monaco. I think we saw a french football player drive by in his porche yesterday.

 

Like home away from home

I'm very grateful to have been able to spend a few days here relaxing and re-energizing. I needed a bit of a break from all the sights before I head into Italy. I enjoyed my time in Monaco walking through the rose gardens and sitting by the pool. Tonight Gwens mom and I will be going to a champagne tasting and then having dinner at home. I'm repaying their kindness by cooking!

Tomorrow I leave for Italy. Im hoping that in the next few hours I'll get some more replys from couchsurfers and head to La Spezia. I would really like to see Cinque Terre, I've heard its beautifull. If not, I'll be headed to Florence. Hopefully Italy goes as smoothly as France and Spain. I met some really amazing people and found traveling city to city very easy and inexpensive. I'd really love to spend a week in a little house in the country with an Italian grandmother, cooking pasta all day! Heres hoping!!

K