Spring Break 2009

Well this Spring Break is definitely a unique one! Usually Mom and I go roadtrippin' somewhere...not possible this year. But I do have to say, spending mine in Nice, France and Monaco was amazing! The weather here is beyond specatular...sunshine everyday, stars by night to view, palm trees and tropical foliage everywhere! It is really beautiful.

Today, while Katy and Gina stayed in Nice to rollarblade, I ventured to a whole another country, Monaco!! About 45 minutes away by bus, and the ride only costs 1 Euro each way, what a steal! I went on this cute, tourist-y train ride where you look like a dork as you have your headphones on and taking pictures of everything. But that's alright, I had a ton of fun! I got to see the Monte Carlo Casino where James Bond played in Diamonds are Forever, the Formula 1 Racing route, the Palace, tons of pretty views of the Mediterrean and just take in my surroundings! It was well worth the visit. I ate my lunch and read a book from the gardens next to the aquarium and had the best view ever of the Mediterrean. It was utopia!

Our flight came in to Marseille, and we decided to take a train straight to Nice to start our break! We got here after dark and just decided to stay at a Best Western near by which was nice for once to be in an 'upscale' hotel for a change! Then the next day we came here, to the Villa Saint Exupery, a cute hostel on top of the hills of Nice. The staff here are beyond welcoming and friendly and they even have a shuttle van that brings us right to the tram stop.

The beach here is full of flat stones and pebbles, so keeping shoes on is a must, however, it is just fine to lie down and soak up the sun on! Just think of a do-it-yourself hot stone massage! :)

Definitly a fun spring break! Oh, and to make things even more exciting, France is having a transportation strike tomorrow. So when we thought we were going to be leaving on a train to Salzburg isn't possible....we had to resort to taking a plane to Venice and then a train from there to Salzburg. Not a big deal at all, just add it to our list of Amazing Race type activities that keep us on our toes!

Think that's it for now, I can't wait for our first night in Salzburg we are going to a Mozart Concert and are provided dinner (YAY for a free meal). Free food is a big deal, I've had spaghetti for the past three nights here at the hostel because there is a kitchen for us to cook in and I've spent literally only pennies to make my dinner! But once we get to no kitchen places and if food becomes more expensive..it all adds up! Free breakfasts' at hotels are a luxery for us, I stuff myself so I don't have to eat lunch! Crazy as it sounds, I really do!

So excited for Salzburg, Vienna and Prague. Even more excited for a possible trip to Lithuania with Arturas then seeing Katie in Dalkeith, Scotland again...and the grand finale if all goes as planned...a whale watching trip in Iceland that we both are going on!!!! So pumped for it!!!!!!

Time flies on this trip, we are more than half way, and I am right on schedule budget wise which is great....so far life just couldn't get any better!

Write more once in Salzburg.... :) Take care everyone!