Lookouts

It's a rare sight to see one Ferrari in a day. It's even more rare to see six, all lined up next to each other. But this is the norm in Monaco where luxuries in this small city-state are vast. The architecture and attention to detail is quite impressive along with its infamous hotels and casino in Monte Carlo.

We were dropped off at a high point which overlooked the majority of Monaco. It was early in the morning and the air was refreshing. But as the day grew, so did the amount of tourists. It became hard to walk through the quaint streets and almost impossible to take a photo without a million strangers in the middle of it.

So perfect it almost looks fake.

Le Musée Océanographique de Monaco was the most fun I had in Monaco actually. Apart from the unique looking fish, we spent a long time admiring the outside of this building.

The fish in the aquarium have quite the vista...

On top of the aquarium. Don't think I don't have friends who could instead take this photo for me- I do!! I find it amusing to try to capture some of the background with myself after 25 tries. This one made the cut.

The next stop was Èze, a village that overlooks the South Eastern coast of France and the Mediterranean. This village is built up on the French Alps and has the most magnificent view. We hiked up the small winding streets to get to the top and this is what we saw:

Kind of at a loss for words for this place. 

A little higher up.

Apart from the view and the biggest cacti garden I've ever seen before, Èze has artists and delicious little cafés. This place is a hidden gem and I will surely be back here again.

Infinite Wanderings

I have an endless amount of words to describe Cannes: inspiring, meaningful, blue, tranquil, lighthearted, s l o w. I am forever in love with this place. It has constantly been offering me life, and I have been receiving it with open arms. 

The beach is my backyard and we swim in it, The Mediterranean, every day.

Le Collège International de Cannes, where I have been studying French the past week, houses students from all over the world. I have had the chance to meet people from all around and learn about their culture, hear about their home, and the most fun, listen to them speak a different tongue

I've been practicing my butchered French with the French nationals who are here to learn English and much of our conversations go a lot like this, "I'll speak to you in French, and you speak back to me in English." 

But this only lasts so long...

The streets in Cannes are hilly and mainly cobblestone. There are men who walk around them playing violins and accordions for you with smiles across their faces. I walk down these streets in awe of their beauty. I've spent most afternoons exploring where they lead. Conveniently, many end with a quaint café on the corner, where you can sit, eat a crêpe, and people-watch for hours. 

And drink some of these.

Cannes' restaurants make it easy for lovers to have a romantic night.

We ventured up a hill with winding stone steps though it was steep and a lot higher up than what we had anticipated, but we continued. We reached the top where there was a lookout tower that allowed you to see a magnificent view of Cannes. There are few tourists in Cannes at this time of the year so we were able to stare out at the ocean and the port from one side and at gawk at the mountains on the other for a long time. 

I have one more week here to explore some more and to feel warmth before a certain city's lights replace the quite moonlit town. 

Port de Cannes

London's Omnipresent Grey

I was up for nearly 24 hours traveling more than 3,000 miles. I had drank very little water, and each bone in my body was frozen from the hotel lobby's perpetual air conditioning while waiting for check-in. I was sleep deprived and around ten other students who were strangers, who were certainly feeling the same way.
I desperately needed to put my nearly 30-pound backpack and very overweight suitcase in a hotel room, put socks on so my toes didn't feel like they were separate from my feet, and a warm, warm bed. 10 hours later I was finally quenched. I slept a short while, rejuvenated myself, and was then willing and able to explore Chelsea.

Sweet little streets in Chelsea

Do they make these in the States?

I spent only two days in London but saw lots of its charm. It was grey and rainy every minute I was there but never dreary. In the middle of a late-night downpour, Piccadilly Circus, an area in London that many compare to Time's Square, was buzzing and colorful. Umbrellas sprung open instantly in the streets and water filled every crevasse in the cobblestones. Rain was never more beautiful.

The city is comprised of a mix of the old and the new. After being on the receiving end of many bombings by Germany during World War II, ancient buildings and monuments remain half living; they are a reminder of the suffering and almost-broken British morale of that time period. 

A one-thousand ton bomb landed on the St. Paul's Cathedral and luckily failed to detonate.

Buckingham Palace

BIG big Ben

Hello! Half of the London Bridge

Peeked into London Fashion Week, what an amazing venue. 

Eclectic

The Shard: the tallest building in the EU. There are few skyscrapers in London, it's nice. 

A last stop to Portobello Road Market, so many gems and so many people!

And many silly entertainers!