Monday rolls around, and it is my birthday. I am on my way to Monaco and Monte Carlo, but first we made a couple of stops.

Eze….a small medieval village from around 1400, and it is 400 meters high. And climb we did. Up those cobble stone steps, down the winding walkways. We only had an hour, so I did never make it to the top where the church was. I stopped to many times to admire the view, and we only had an hour.

Outside of the village was the perfume factory of Fragonard, where we took a tour of the fragrance factory. Takes at least 2 years to study to become a perfumer, and 10 years to hone their craft. They cannot smoke, drink alcohol, or eat spicy foods, because it will dull their sense of smell. One interesting fact about Chanel. When they were finalizing their signature scent, they smelled about 10 of them. The consensus was the 5th one. That became Chanel #5.

Onto Monaco. What a beautiful place. And full of millionaires and yachts. There is 1 police person for every 5 people because of the wealth of the people who live there. It is the second smallest city next to the Vatican. Their commerce is banking. We saw the Castle of Prince Rainier and Princess Caroline, where their son Albert now resides. The church, The Monaco Cathedral, is where they were married, and both are buried there now. At the time we were there, the organist was practicing, it really gave the place a sacred feeling.

On the way to Monte Carlo we drove on the street that is the Grand Prix, including the famous hair pin turn in front of the Fairmont Hotel. And then there was the famous city before my eyes. Fancy cars, fancy stores, bigger yachts, etc. I did go into about 4 stores. Only because I could say that I did. I was only greeted in one of them. I walked out of one store and said, “Even at Walmart they say hello.” I miss Target. I would not have missed being there at all. Been there, done that, all with a smile on my face.

What an adventure this was. We don’t do presents to each other, we don’t give each other parties, but what the big guy gave me was another wonderful memory.

Again, 2 broke kids.

For some reason I have always wanted to visit the South of France. Not sure why, maybe because I saw pictures of it and wanted to see the beauty of this particular part of the country. So, the big guy took me to this area for my birthday.

We went to Nice first. When we were driving from the airport, it reminded us of San Diego, the drive from Lindbergh Field. I felt I was on Sassafras on my way to Laurel Drive. We stayed at a place right on the Promenade des Anglais. It was named for Los Angeles, because of all the stars that visited the area back in the day. Was such a bustling during the day, and lit up at night. One of the things we loved to do was go to one of the local cafes and sit outside to eat. Could have sat there for hours. We walked to the older part of the city that was filled with food Marts and flower markets. Nice was part of Italy until around 1860 when it is now a part of France. The population is 350,000, but in the summer it grows to over a million because of the tourists.

One of our stops was at the Church of Saint Francis of Paola. Like I have stated before, I am all about the churches. Approved by Rome in 1493 and settled in Nice in 1633. It is run by the Dominicans. And the church itself is of baroque designed. Beautiful, and ornate with side altars all along each of the walls leading up to the main altar. Another place I could have sat for hours. Peaceful, quiet, with familiar smells. And lots, and lots of candles.

Now onto Monaco, and Monte Carlo…..again two broke kids. #MondayBlogs #Nice #SouthofFrance #Withthebigguy #Celebratoryweekend

#MondayBlogs. Iceland is quite beautiful. A country that is the youngest one in Europe. People visit this place because of their Mother Nature. I can see why. It is run on giothermal energy. 50% of the people live in Reykjavik. In the 1940’s a lot of the people lived in caves, some you can still see. Timber was very scarce. If you did have a house, it was built with grass and driftwood.

We passed a place that was called Friendship Forest. The president invites visiting dignitaries to plant a tree. This tradition began with Vigdis Funnbogadottir, the first woman president of Iceland, or anywhere, really, in 1987. It is beautiful to see and quite full. I wondered how it would look all lit up with Christmas lights. A sight to behold, I am sure. And can see for miles, and miles. From the sea to the sky.

This is a land of farmers. Many were Vikings. And after they came back from the sea, and doing what Vikings do, they raised sheep and dairy. Today you see greenhouses dotted along the farmlands. They grow flowers, roses especially, fruits and all kinds of vegetables. Their sheep are along the countryside just grazing in the fields. In September the farmers go out and collect the sheep and place them in a big pen. During a fall festival where everyone gathers for the celebration.they collect their sheep (they have their personal markings on them) and take them back to the farm for the winter. In spring it starts all over again.

There are 120 volcanoes in Iceland, 60 are active. I already talked about Kerid, the explosion crater, formed by explosive eruptions that leave deep craters, in my last blog. I was talking with a local, which is something I always do, because you learn a lot, and he swears they are due to have another eruption……soon…..like this winter. When I asked him why, he told me they have been having little seismic earthquakes.

So much more….so much more…..well maybe not that much. But I will continue next time. And as always…….2 broke kids.