South France...about a strange dog and other things
The day that my trip will began I was very anxious, I never been in Europe, the most I have traveled has been Puerto Rico, so for me France made me excited. I didn't know what to expect, but ready or not I went..
The flight was at 9:55 pm and try as I may I couldn't sleep, so I watched movies, play games, keep going back to the screen with my flight info-it's kind of weird seen the plane in the map in midair the ocean above it and me asking myself well if it falls here....-more the reason to watch more movies. In the morning I try to sleep again, I managed to have 20 min. of sleep...breakfast time!
I arrived in one piece and Alonso was there to pick me up. We went from Nice to a small village name St. Cezare, is really straight out of a Fellini movie. Small, cozy, two cafe's, one bistro, a newspaper store, a flower shop, an antiques store, the city hall's office all this smack in the middle. The streets are narrow, old fashioned but lovely streets. There are gardens everywhere, beautiful flowers. The houses are big, with the old style windows that open forward. I find the windows to be so romantic, like everyday you have the chance to welcome the day into your living room. The family I stayed with, the Rouquiers, are very welcoming. They have a big dog, name Te Amo, who gets too excited at times. We are accomodated in the guest house, which is of course smaller than the house but bigger than any studio in Manhattan....or any one bedroom apt. It had a small kitchen and two floors, one twin bed in the first floor, one queen size one in the other one. The view is amazing.
The village is situated close to the French Alps, so in my morning walks I could see the Alps, covered by a blue mist, that only adds to the majestic view of all. I went down to the plaza everyday, Alonso been busy teaching his students I just had time to wonder and discover little shops in this small, curving, old streets. I had a delicious sandwich for breakfast made with bread, stuffed with cheese and ham and a sunny side up egg on the top...delicious.
I arrived on Thursday ...but Friday jetlag hit me like a thousand rocks. I had to sleep longer, which I didn't like but I had to because my brain cells weren't working. As I aproached the plaza that day I noticed a french lady trying to pet what it a big dog, but there was something odd about that dog...he look so grey and his hair was so unkempt..so wild...he made a howling sound. And an american voice, my friend Mercer-screams: "That's not a dog...that's a wolf!" At the same time the wolf turns around and starts running opposite direction, while my friend is so excited he wants to run towards the wolf!! Later that same night Mercer explain over dinner he and his wife Ellen were caretakers for wolves for almost two years. He says that wolves are better humans being than most and that they are mostly terrified of us. He kept wondering all night were the wolf have gone.
A big crowd gather for dinner, the students are about 25 plus their wives, some adult children and some other were invited...It was a blessing to have Ellen there, looking for me and staying by my side all night...I also made new friends, Laura and Steve from Boston, nice, cute couple, very much in love but not too showy about it. Alonso was everywhere, he is well known in this part of France so it takes him longer to actually seat down to eat. After all the double cheek kisses were done, we ate dinner, buffet style, the first thing I try was this triangular red and black covered with what I tought was some kind of pastry-it turns out it was caviar. The main course was Paella, full of shrimps-not peeled-,sausages and chicken....very tasty!! Wine, champagne and even cognac was everywhere, I politely tried some champagne...but drank water instead...I don't really drink, but I started to noticed the french looked at me a little perplexed about this. Cheese, fromage, was served, goat cheese all kinds of cheese that I can't pronounce the names of!
The evening ended with a big toast for all the american students and their families. The weather was great-air conditioner in low outdoors kind of great. Among all the laughter, the new friends and this beautiful country I wanted to scream outloud-:"My God I am in France!"
I will write more about the concert, the tango, Antibes, The French Riviera...tomorrow.
The flight was at 9:55 pm and try as I may I couldn't sleep, so I watched movies, play games, keep going back to the screen with my flight info-it's kind of weird seen the plane in the map in midair the ocean above it and me asking myself well if it falls here....-more the reason to watch more movies. In the morning I try to sleep again, I managed to have 20 min. of sleep...breakfast time!
I arrived in one piece and Alonso was there to pick me up. We went from Nice to a small village name St. Cezare, is really straight out of a Fellini movie. Small, cozy, two cafe's, one bistro, a newspaper store, a flower shop, an antiques store, the city hall's office all this smack in the middle. The streets are narrow, old fashioned but lovely streets. There are gardens everywhere, beautiful flowers. The houses are big, with the old style windows that open forward. I find the windows to be so romantic, like everyday you have the chance to welcome the day into your living room. The family I stayed with, the Rouquiers, are very welcoming. They have a big dog, name Te Amo, who gets too excited at times. We are accomodated in the guest house, which is of course smaller than the house but bigger than any studio in Manhattan....or any one bedroom apt. It had a small kitchen and two floors, one twin bed in the first floor, one queen size one in the other one. The view is amazing.
The village is situated close to the French Alps, so in my morning walks I could see the Alps, covered by a blue mist, that only adds to the majestic view of all. I went down to the plaza everyday, Alonso been busy teaching his students I just had time to wonder and discover little shops in this small, curving, old streets. I had a delicious sandwich for breakfast made with bread, stuffed with cheese and ham and a sunny side up egg on the top...delicious.
I arrived on Thursday ...but Friday jetlag hit me like a thousand rocks. I had to sleep longer, which I didn't like but I had to because my brain cells weren't working. As I aproached the plaza that day I noticed a french lady trying to pet what it a big dog, but there was something odd about that dog...he look so grey and his hair was so unkempt..so wild...he made a howling sound. And an american voice, my friend Mercer-screams: "That's not a dog...that's a wolf!" At the same time the wolf turns around and starts running opposite direction, while my friend is so excited he wants to run towards the wolf!! Later that same night Mercer explain over dinner he and his wife Ellen were caretakers for wolves for almost two years. He says that wolves are better humans being than most and that they are mostly terrified of us. He kept wondering all night were the wolf have gone.
A big crowd gather for dinner, the students are about 25 plus their wives, some adult children and some other were invited...It was a blessing to have Ellen there, looking for me and staying by my side all night...I also made new friends, Laura and Steve from Boston, nice, cute couple, very much in love but not too showy about it. Alonso was everywhere, he is well known in this part of France so it takes him longer to actually seat down to eat. After all the double cheek kisses were done, we ate dinner, buffet style, the first thing I try was this triangular red and black covered with what I tought was some kind of pastry-it turns out it was caviar. The main course was Paella, full of shrimps-not peeled-,sausages and chicken....very tasty!! Wine, champagne and even cognac was everywhere, I politely tried some champagne...but drank water instead...I don't really drink, but I started to noticed the french looked at me a little perplexed about this. Cheese, fromage, was served, goat cheese all kinds of cheese that I can't pronounce the names of!
The evening ended with a big toast for all the american students and their families. The weather was great-air conditioner in low outdoors kind of great. Among all the laughter, the new friends and this beautiful country I wanted to scream outloud-:"My God I am in France!"
I will write more about the concert, the tango, Antibes, The French Riviera...tomorrow.
Replies
I didn\'t know or forgot that you were taking a trip. How exciting for you. I\'m so glad I didn\'t miss this today
I had three days in London once and yes I travelled at night. It was interesting seeing where the plane was on the big screen.
I look forward to hearing about the tango,Antibes and the Frech Riviera. I can read your excitement about being there. What a wonderful trip you are having. I\'m happy that you can do this.