It's Been a While

Bonjour (or Bon Soir, or Bon Matin),

Wine vats

I haven't written a word in three weeks now. And, fortunately, it's not because I don't have anything to say. It's because, unfortunately, I have no time to say it.

So where was I? I just got back from Denmark and Germany?? That's a lifetime ago. This blog post will most certainly not be catching you up to today. No sir. Consider it part of a series. That said:

Wine, Nice, and Monaco

Wine shop

Wine - No, wine is not a place. It's a wine tasting. I just figured that I should mention that I went on not one, but two. I wish I could claim to be an expert on wine, but I'm not. But I know how to look like one now, and I know some various tidbits on wine. Or knew, they're fading fast. Something about viscosity and sugar and glucose and shelf life.

Nice

Nice - The day after the first wine tasting (4 March), we headed West. By bus. For those who do not know, Nice is the reason I decided to study in Southern France. Well, as it turns out, the Côte d'Azur really does have a different climate than Aix. It was warm in Nice. It was walk-around-in-a-tee-shirt-and-eat-ice-cream-and-chill-on-the-beach-but-don't-go-in-the-water-because-the-Mediterranean's-still-cold warm. So, I decided to take off my sweater. Then, while wandering around the backstreets of Vielle Nice (Old Nice), I bought some delicious ice cream (Rosemary and Lavender, surprisingly good). We wandered up to the modern art museum because it was free and recommended, but aside from the wonderful view of the city, it was fairly boring, so we trekked back down to sea level. Then, because of the temperature, I decided to chill out on the beach. But I didn't go in the water; the Mediterranean was still cold.

Oldest intact tbone in the world

While I was in Nice, they held La Bataille des Fleurs as part of pre-Lent celebrations. That means I went and watched a parade wherein the women dressed in flowers on floats wrapped in flowers threw flowers to spectators holding flowers. Everyone was so happy. People caught flowers and gave them away. Little kids ran around silly-stringing anyone less than 6 feet tall (it's no fun if they don't hit people in the face), and no one reacted negatively. Well, almost. Apparently, passive-aggressive old ladies take offense to silly string, because when the people on the floats tried to throw flowers to six-year-olds, the selfish women would cacklingly steal their bouquets and strut triumphantly away.  

I only caught green flowers. I mean, green is my favorite color and all, but when the flower matches the stem, hey, kinda boring, you know? 

Monaco -  We arrived in Monaco later that day (too short Nice, too short). For those who don't know, Monaco is an independent principality. It operates by its own system which means: no taxes. I believe it's the richest country in the world. Oddly, Paris is still more expensive for basic necessities. Turns out, Monaco is also a police state, at least according to my definition. Our program told us that there was one police officer for every two people. That would be true, except there's 515 officers for 32,000 people. Still tops the world in popo per person.

Monte Carlo

That night (still 5 March, see why it's so difficult to write all this?) I went to Monte Carlo. Alas, I could not bring myself to bid, because I refused to play roulette, and black jack's minimum bet was 25 euros. Too rich for my blood. I'm saving up for my 2000 euro purple hat thanks.

The next day, we went up to the prince's palace and watched the changing of the guard and just looked at Monaco in general. Very pretty. But on the way there, we stumbled across a dog racing an obstacle course. I'd never seen one in person; I could get into it. It's a sport that draws you in. Goodbye Monaco. Returning to Aix, we stopped off in Eze, near Grasses, where perfume is manufactured. I don't think they successfully convinced any guys to buy perfume during the factory tour, despite their best efforts. Though my hands smelled quite good for the rest of the day.

SCHOLARLY INTERLUDE
I thought I had a presentation that Monday, so I spent an inordinate amount of time trying to figure out exactly what was going on in Libya, in French. Well, it turns out that someone who wasn't really supposed to be presenting the news stole my presentation, so I got shafted. Two presentations on consecutive days the next week.

The Mediterranean

Strasbourg, City of Storks and Swans

Stork

Swan

Waterfowl galore. But that meant rivers everywhere. It was very pretty.

Oh, wait, some background. Strasbourg was my first solo trip. I just took a train up to Strasbourg overnight using tickets I'd reserved with my Eurail pass, or at least that was the plan. When I went to get onto the train, I discovered my car was missing. Whoops.


So I asked the conductor what I should do. He groaned and sent me to talk to someone else.


I was finally told to get onto one of the other cars and just find a couchette. But more stress to come.

Remnants of Strasbourg's battlements

Strasbourg's Cathedral. Original.

As we (the 4 other people who shared my cabin and I) were sleeping, about 5/8 through the 7 hour ride, one of the conductors came in and asked us all our final destinations. One poor guy was heading to Dijon and discovered that for whatever reason, this particular train was not stopping there, so he sprinted off in a mad rush. A few stops later, two more people got off, having reached their destination I assume. That left me and one other man, who kept concernedly asking me whether or not I was getting off. He kept muttering because he was hovering in between sleep and wakefulness, and so was very hard to comprehend. I naturally assumed that he knew something I didn't, but I stayed on the train anyway. Eventually I figured out that he thought I was the Dijon-bound homme, but not before an unnecessary amount of 4 am worrying. Good trip so far. But I think it would have been worse if I'd had to comfort someone.

Walk by the Water

Strasbourg is located in Alsace, which is in Northeastern France, very near the German border. It has in fact changed hands between Germany in France very frequently, and a different style of architecture than our clay buildings of Southern France. I appreciate the difference, and like it better aesthetically, but less ambiantly (Yes Dad, I'm making up words throughout this post. Deal with it). 

Rhea

I wandered along side the rivers and up to Le Parc de L'Orangerie. However, I did not see any trees that I recognized as orange trees, although I found a bush that sort of smelled like one. I did, however, find more wild storks (cigognes) than I'd ever seen. There were a lot, and I'd never seen one before. There was also a free zoo. I was pleasantly surprised. It made up for me having to lug my backpack with me.

Wallaby

At this point, I sent my friend living in Strasbourg a text asking her when she wanted to meet up. While waiting for a response, I grew tired, and so checked into my hostel for a mid-afternoon nap. Refreshing. When I woke up, three hours after sending the text, she still hadn't responded, so I decided to call her. No answer. The call didn't go through. The text didn't go through. Apparently, she equally failed to get in contact with me. Our phones had a French Feud. Anyway, through the marvel of the purchase of an internet card and social networking (I suppose email would have worked as well), I was able to leave her a message with a time and a meeting place. And that worked out somehow. She showed me around town, but 'twas I who discovered the guy in the street playing speed chess. 


I lost.

Losing
I'm sorry Pitt lost guys. Since coming to Pitt, they're 0-4 in post-season games I don't watch, and 5-2 in games I do watch.