I'm running out of good subjects - Desole...

January 20, 2007 Cannes, France

Salut mes amies! Je suis tres bien… Life in france is going well – I actually placed higher on my placement test than I thought I would. We had our first test friday – and although it probably wasn’t the best I’ve ever done – I’m certainly learning a lot! I am really enjoying our class – it’s just three hours a day of intensive language study. This week we’ve covered everything from grammer to anorexia in America and to every French girl’s heartthrob, Johnny Depp. Mon prof actually started the conversation! Other than that, all is well. Mostly we’ve been exploring the city of Cannes. Yesterday I walked into town along the rivera and there were all these sweet, old (and probably wealthy) couples sitting on benches just watching the water, talking to their pets, or playing sudukuo! I even saw one old man on roller blades behind his wife who was using an electric wheelchair. My future I think… The only thing that has been less than terrific has been the food. Although it is very thoughtful of them to cater to vegetarians, today, no lie, we only got scalloped potatoes for dinner. And two clementines for dessert…Breakfast is always good though – cereal, bread, and coffee – what more could a girl want!?

Yesterday was probably the nicest day we’ve had so far – around 60 degrees. We took a ferry over to the island of St.Margurite. It’s actually the home to the prison of the Man in Iron Mask. We spent three hours just exploring and taking some great pictures as you can see…

Today we ventured over to the country of Monaco – which I suppose is actually a principality. Monaco has the highest income per capita in the world because its citizens don’t pay income tax. The country itself is less than 1 sq mile. From the top of the palace we could see France and Italy. In Monaco we walked the streets, visited the tomb of Grace Kelly – who married the Prince of Monaco, walked through an Aquarium (the best in Europe supposedly) which was once run by Jacques Cousteau, and then went to the Casino de Monte Carlo. Lifestyles of the rich and famous times 1,000. Monte Carlo is the stage for tons of movies including Ocean’s 12 and the new 007- Casino Royale. Apres-ca we voyaged over to the little town of Eze, which is a medieval town that you have to hike to get to – there are only 15 families that still live within it’s walls – very breathtaking. We also toured a perfume factory and tested our noses in the perfume capital of the world.

Tonight we dressed up a bit and went out for some wine and dessert. Cannes is also hosting a music festival this weekend (Cannes is supposed to be the city of festivals) and there were some pretty big names here this weekend. I was hoping to run into Justin Timberlake, but no such luck. We did stand outside the red carpet long enough to take a few photos (of ourselves) but alas – more to come I’m sure.

Tomorrow we’re heading to a food market in the middle of Old Cannes and then resting on the beach and preparing for class on Monday. Paris is less than a week away and croires-moi – we’re ready!

Addition – if you would like to make me very happy you can send me packages/letters/card at:

Catherine Hayes

10, rue du Dr.Blanche

75016 Paris, France

And if you just write “Air Mail” on the outside – it will get here a lot faster…

Photo Descriptions...
1 - A quick salute to Axel (and Steven...)
2 - Classy...
3 - Being attacked by a giant plant
4 - I'm changing my major to photography!
5 - Ferry to St.Marguarite
6 - The gorgeous french Rivera...