Cinque Terre, Italy

Monte Carlo

Our last days in France

Beach Bummer International

I have been to a lot of beaches all over the U.S. and in the beautiful islands of the Philippines however I would like to say that this town is on a whole new level when it comes to my beach bummin' community experience. It ain't just a pretty beach with warm ocean water. It is unbelievably gorgeous with high cliff mountains as your panoramic backdrop and not to mention the seafood is so DAMN fresh that you can still taste the salty ocean water in it. It is that good. I've had mussels every night. The oysters are no joke. I feel like I am eating right of the fisherman's boat as they reel in their shellfish. I still have to go after the fried fish. That'll be for tomorrow. The architecture isn't anything like in Paris. I almost feel like we're already in Italy. It makes sense, we're close to the border. There are definitely Italian and Spanish influences here. It was so nice to sun bathe, swim, drink more wine and eat more gelato and not have to walk so much or take the subway. My husband knows me well. I can adjust to anything but if there is one thing that makes me truly satistifed it is the warm clear ocean water and the tropical climate, I am in heaven. Move over islands of Hawaii, Florida keys and perhaps Palawan in the Philippines, French Riviera is my thing now. I am kidding but really though this place is the bomb diggity. I am embracing every sunbeam and every moment that I am here with my family. The 6 hour grueling train ride while sitting backwards was well worth it. Mady enjoyed it! She loved looking out of the window. There were horses, cows and a whole bunch of animals as the train passed through the countryside. I got most excited when I started seeing the coastline. I have a special place in my heart for the water. It's insane how pretty it is out here and yet everything is so easily accessible even by public transportation. I guess that's Europe for you. Tomorrow we will be taking the bus to Monaco, the smallest country in the world. I'm curious to see how dressed up people will be especially in the bus. Once we get into town everyone will probably be in their Ferrari's and crazy expensive outfits so we got to fit in. I have to dress up my husband in 80 degree weather so we can access the Casino in Monte Carlo. His chucks and t-shirts aren't going to cut it. Mundo is straight up playing poker on his iPhone right now. Maybe he can win us some $$ tomorrow. He.He. Wish us luck! It's a good thing the beach is right across the street from our place because at the end of the day I feel most at home near the water. In the meantime, we might as well visit the surrounding cities. Nice, I will be waiting for your sun rise at the crack of dawn.

Au revoir à bientôt Paris

Today was our last full day in Paris. We'll be leaving in the morning for Nice. We slept in as we've been the last few days but we made today short because we wanted to get a head start for tomorrow. We didn't leave the house until about 2. It was really beautiful outside. The sun was shining and there was a slight breeze for most of the day. We started off by walking to the other close station by our house which happens to be a whole lot closer but just not have as many lines coming in and out of it. We were Americans and decided to have a quick bite at McD's just because we were on the go. We then headed out to Monmarte an area Mundo was really familiar with from his past visits to Paris. I wanted to see the Moulin Rouge and the windmills in the surrounding area. We went to this little pattiserie and had these really, really good cookies. They came at the right time because I was crashing hard from being on the go so much these last few days. We then walked our way up to the Sacre Couer (Sacred Heart) which is on a hill with a great view of the city. There were these people that were painted in silver and white like the people posed as statues at Union Square in SF. Only difference here is that they were statues of saints which was kind of creepy. We made our way into this little artist villages where artists where selling and making their art on the streets. There were a lot of them doing portraits of the tourists which was pretty neat. At the top by the church there were these two young boys break dancing in the street. Mady was dancing along as they got their groove on. It was pretty cool as even other tourists nearby were playing along with her. We finally made our way into a church as well. It was my first time in it so I got to make my three wishes but more than anything it was nice to sit down and collect my thoughts from the past few days. There has been so much to take in. Both with Mundo and Mady and then myself all together. It really has been an adventure these last few days. We then walked our way down the hill and back to the main street. I did a little window shopping in what I'd like to call the ghetto shopping area of Paris, it reminded me of Harlem in NY when I went for the first time with Ka. After that we made our way back home. I took special notice of the fact that this was our last time on the Metro so I chronicled these last moments walking the underground. We decided to stay in our last night so we went to the local market and decided to make some fusion French Filipino food. We had adobo with a baguette, eggs, brie, salted butter, and pate of course. As I waited for Mundo to finish up at the grocery store I went next door to the shoe store. I just think its so cool how each neighborhood is its own self functioning unit. At one corner you'll have a cheese store, a wine shop, and a bakery. Just down the way you'll see the boutique ladies clothes shop and shoe store. Pretty neat I think. We've had a bottle of wine each day here in Paris and as we wrap up our final day here we're sipping away our last glass as I type. I came to Paris not really thinking too much or expecting anything but I now understand why Paris leaves such an impression on people. There is something very magical yet realistic about how people go about their lives here. I mean it's a huge city , with a lot of hustle and bustle but just around the corner from that is a tiny square or collection of cafes where people can just sit down and waste the day away. Paris will chew you up and spit you out if you let it but at the same time it will extend its hand to you should you ever need any help. I really appreciate how Parisians have a way of not getting in your way. They'll let you be as much as they can at the point of avoiding you and then not turn away when the opportunity truly presents itself. In almost every trainstop as soon as we enter into a crowded train a chair is always offered to us as we hold Mady. It was nice running in to a Canadian couple with their 18 month old daughter and quickly sharing our journey as travelling parents. It was neat to see the connection shared by daughter and theirs all with 5 minutes of walking from one train to another. It's amazing what you'll find when you open your mind and spirit to it. I'm glad we started our journey in this huge and yet passively caring city. It truly has set us up for the rest of our days here in Europe. Paris I will miss you, never thought I'd say that but it's definitely true. Good bye and see you later.