The French Post: Part 1 (Nice is Nice!)

I can blog more than on the 10th of the month. I really can.
I'm here to prove it.

Back in late June I went to France. FRANCE!

It was all kinds of amazing.

Usually, when I travel, I'm all about going to countries I've never been to before, or may never get the opportunity to go to again (Hello, Estonia. Hello, Croatia. Hello, South Africa). But France, is you know, France. Everybody's been to France.

Okay, I realize not everybody, but it is just a hop skip and a jump from the East Coast. I've seen a million Eiffel Tower pics, haven't you? But I'm here to say, France far exceeded my expectations. Sixteen days across the pond was truly a dream. And I'm so incredibly grateful for the ability to do these crazy international adventures!

This year, we planned our vacation around my sister's vacation schedule, she's a tooth janitor dental hygienist, so we went when her office was closed.

The best part, it coincided with the the Tour de France. For our family who is all about all things cycling, this was a dream come true.  So, our itinerary was planned.

Nice. Aix en Provence. Paris. Le Touquet. London.

Oh ya, we went to London too.
Which was also, amazing. London, I love you.

So let's get to it.

I flew into Nice a day early, since I was flying on airline miles, and there were no award flights the day the rest of my family was traveling. What a shame, right?

 I flew into the Cote d'Azure, which is quite possibly my favorite Cote on the planet. See that little boat down there, three down from the wing, closest to the harbor opening? I'm pretty sure I've seen it twice before.

One sweaty hour later (hello Mediterranean humidity!) I was checked into my hotel. And THIS was the view from my room.

I thought I was going to die of happiness right then and there.  Also, air conditioning. Hallelujah.
Jetlagged and ecstatic, I laid on the fluffy white bed for about an hour, before heading out on foot to explore Nice.

Let me just tell you, Nice is nice.
I explored the waterfront a bit. Finding a row of bolted in chairs, right along the shore, with wifi. I sent pictures to my family back home, to hurry up and get here. It was kinda cruel.

After a good amount of sea spray  showering my face, I headed back into the town, finding a nice outdoor table to sit at, with food I could recognize, praise the Lord for picture menus. And caprese salads. And rose.

I sat down to this masterpiece. And about 10 minutes later looked up to see an entire restaurant staring at me. I wasn't certain if I was just the strange American, or what was happening, until I turned around and saw my head was blocking the World Cup. USA vs. Germany, appropriately enough.
So I moved back a chair, and sat on the opposite side, to cheer on my people. Except not. No one was cheering on the US. I munched on a  bit of my baguette, paid my bill and headed back to the hotel.  I don't even like soccer anyway.

Oh, but Kim, you're in Europe. During the World Cup. You're gonna LOVE soccer whether you like it or not. So say the fans of Algeria at 3am celebrating in the streets below your hotel while you're jet lagged. 

The next morning, after an eventful night of sleep, or lack thereof, I woke up and headed out to explore Nice on my own, until my family flew in that night. A whole day to explore in a foreign country all by myself. Tres Chic!

I asked the hotel front desk where to go, and what to do (all those travel books, and I forgot to research, whoops!), and they mentioned something about a flower market, and a chateau, and pointed east. Okay, off I go!

So me, my big camera, and a handful of Euros, headed out to find this flower market. If there's anything I love, it's an open air market.

I will take all the pictures of all the fruit. All the flowers. All the sweets. Nothing will stop me.

Okay, one thing will stop me. Cafe Creme & Chocolate Croissants. 

I had to pull myself away from the market. It was time to find the Chateau. 

So, I set off again. Walking around the town. 

Exploring nooks, and crannies, wandering down cobbled streets too narrow for cars.

Looking up at shuttered windows, seeing and soaking life in Nice.

Little by little, circling around what ended up being the Chateau, and ascending up the back side. A quiet damp, shady path, passing the occasional local walking her dog. 

Looking back on the town below. And finally, at the top, discovering the expansive views of Nice below.

Looking East into the harbor. 

Looking West, along the coastline towards the airport.

Soaking in the south of France in all of its cerulean glory.

Rumor had it, the Chateau had a waterfall, and I had to find it.

I sat peacefully in the shade of the trees, listening to the roaring water of the manmade fall. 

And decided to test several of the settings on my camera too - they are one of my other favorite subjects to photograph.

After exploring this magical place, the jet lag was catching up with me. I found a shady table back at the flower market, and sat and had lunch. For a couple hours, French style and all. Before walking back to the hotel, catching a quick snooze, and waiting for my family to arrive in a few short hours!

The Mamacita Weekendlies

Another beautiful weekend in the bay.
Foggy mornings, bright blue days, warm spring evenings.

After a lovely friday night dinner under these lights...

I woke up early to meet Cari and Jordan in the city for Brunch.

As I was driving around looking for parking I noticed a place with a line around the block.
Turns out, it was the place we were headed, Mama's.

We waited an hour and a half to get in.
And you know what, it was totally worth it.
Not just because the french toast was AWESOME, but because if you're going to wait an hour and a half in line, it may as well be with a friend you don't get to see that often.

I dropped Cari and Jordan at their hotel, and since I was right there, hopped over to the ferry building to pick up a few mother's day goodies. Fresh flowers from the Farmer's market, and a slice of cake for my mom from Miette Bakery. I may have gotten myself a strawberry and chocolate cupcake as well.

Headed home and spent a little time whipping up these for the moms in my life.
Headed to my grandma's to drop hers off, only to learn that she had left that morning for an Alaskan cruise.
Welp, I guess it truly will have to be the thought that counts on that one.

Spent an afternoon relaxing, watching the Giants win, and then picked up these two for our once a month outing.
McDonald's, every time.
Their request.
I was not comfortable allowing a cat to come along, but I guess I didn't really have a choice.
Also, we LOVE vanilla cones.

Mylie seems to have an affinity for cats these days.

It's making me very nervous. 

Also, after McDonald's we always hit up the dollar tree.
I may have not so subtly suggested these ribbon dancers.
Kept them busy, got the wiggles out,
and it was pure magic as the sun went down.

Sunday, I concluded the weekend celebrating my Mom.
She is crazy and quirky and will often surprise you with her humor.
We took her to Panera Bread - which she kept referring to as "Paner-o"
(Tomato, Tomahto, right?)

And then back into SF to the Asian Art Museum.

Where we saw the Terracotta Warriors exhibit.
Which, despite everyone and their mother being there (literally),
was really awesome.

We explored the rest of the museum a bit, before heading home.
Where I put new pillows on my bed, and took a magical nap.
Nothing better than new pillows and a Sunday nap.

Happy Monday, friends.
Here's to another fantastic weekend!

Turkey Talk: Istanbul

Let me tell you something.

On the list of places I have traveled there are a few that surprise me when I remember that I have actually BEEN there.

The first is Russia.

The second, Istanbul.

As in Turkey.

Halfway across the globe.

Part Europe, Part Asia.

I literally crossed continents when I was there.

How amazing is that?

Some of the things I have seen or heard since going to Istanbul make me think, wow, I am so glad I heard these things AFTER I went.

But just like all of the countries I have been to, it's really more about being smart and making good choices when you are there.

The morning we arrived in Turkey, we woke up as we were cruising into Port.

The funny thing with cruising, is you don't really understand where you are and what you are looking at until after the day in port, when you have your bearings.

So, as we cruised into the beautiful city of Istanbul, along the brightest blue waters, I snapped pics of everything, just in case.

Istanbul has two magnificent suspension bridges, our day's tour started by taking us across the Bosphorus, which is the Europe/Asian divide. We left Europe and momentarily entered Asia. One city, split over two continents.

A new country and a new continent all in one day.

(That is Europe in the foreground, Asia across the water)

As we traveled through Istanbul, two things were in abundance: Turkish flags and mosques.

At any point of view, you'd see the towering columns of at least several mosques, and buildings peppered with red crescent flags.

It became pretty clear, pretty fast, that the Turkish are very proud of their country.

After we made a quick photo-op stop we were on our way to the Spice Bazaar.

Due to my affinity for markets this was my absolute highlight of the day. 

There's just something about spices and teas open to your hands that makes me happy.

The Turkish vendors were kind, polite, and friendly.

They gladly offered samples, were willing to barter, and despite trying to make a sale, weren't too pushy.

In addition to spices, there were ceramics, and housewares, souvenirs, jewelry, and Turkish Delight.

So much Turkish Delight.

Hundreds of varieties.

And plenty of samples.

And similar treats too.

And my other favorite part of the marketplace was exploring it with my dad.

He's a six foot tall, bald, American man.

And I don't know if it was any of those factors, or if he reminded them of someone famous,

 but almost every vendor came out of his stall to talk to and joke with my dad.

So many comments about his bald head.

They would joke across the aisles to each other about him too.

My dad was quite the scene in the Spice Bazaar that day.

Sadly, our time in the Spice Market came to an end.

Even more sadly, I had no more room in my luggage for any more of the mugs, trivets, bowls, and other goodies I wanted.

So our tour left, and headed over to the Grand Bazaar, which unfortunately was closed.

However, a few shops were open.

I don't think I really got the full experience either. It didn't feel anything like I'd expect a Bazaar to be.

Just an urban shopping area.

We did get to go into a Turkish Rug shop where we were given a detailed presentation on this huge Turkish export.

 We were encouraged to touch, feel, and walk on each different kind of rug.

To feel the difference in materials, density, and threadcount.

 The presentation went on for a long time.

Layers upon layers of rugs.

Different patterns, colors, styles.

And when they were done, we were served Turkish pastries and apple juice.

I also found a Starbucks.

My first European (well, in this case, Asian) Starbucks!

We drove through the main part of Istanbul, despite being a Sunday the streets were crowded and bustling.

We passed Istanbul's most famous landmark, Hagia Sophia or Saint Sophia.

And made our last stop at the Blue Mosque.

Which is Istanbul's most famous mosque.

We waited in a long line before entering, and were given coverings for shoulders (women), legs (women & men), and heads (only some women). 

There were spaces for men and women to wash their hands for purification (separately).

And we removed our shoes before entering.

Despite the blue exterior accents, the Blue Mosque is actually named for the plethora of blue tiles inside.

The men were to pray in the main area.

And the women, in a smaller area in the back, behind a separator.

Interestingly enough, tour groups pass through while people prayed all around us.

After this, our tour returned us to the ship.

Where I took a nap in our stateroom, which was still facing the mosque.

The nap didn't last very long as the call to prayer blared through the city shortly after I fell asleep.

It was one of those days where I stop and think "Is this real life? Am I really in Turkey right now?"

I guess it was, I have the pictures to prove it.