BREEZY AND BEAUTIFUL

No pictures aujour dui mes amies. Not playing tourist, becoming one with the south of France. Listening to all the sounds in between breezes, and viewing all the lucious sights around me. Only two days left, and moving on to Paris, wish I could take the south along with me, but I guess I will in my heart. Today I will go for a swim in the azur blue, green ocean, and warm myself in the sun for a short time. The early morning activities awaken me at about 4:30, but even then, I lazily stay in the comfort of my cozy bed, and just listen to the french accents which surround me.

I have learned a lot about the Italians, and the French, for one thing, they are very similar in their passions. They both believe they are better than the other, but they are somehow comingled as one. I observe they are much less reserved as a culture, compared to us Americans, and show their emotions much more openly, and affectionately than we do. In the states people would frown upon the display of free love, and feelings, so easily seen at every given moment, and opportunity here.

Tonight I will go dine with my new friends at the Feeling Good Cafe in Cannes, to wish them well, and say au revoir et merci for their kindness, and friendship. I have met a young couple here in Antibes, who at the age of 28, have opened their own little Brasserie, a dream come true, yet scary, due to the competition of all the others, which have been around for much longer. My good thoughts are with them for a bright future.

Carolann, I am having dinner with Gerard on Thursday when I arrive in Paris, we have been in touch by email, and I am to call him when I arrive at my hotel. I am set with my train reservations, so hopefully it will be smooth training. If you do not hear from me for a day or two, do not worry, I will not have fallen off the face of the earth, just into it. Yet I have become addicted to writing everyday, so you may hear from me tomorrow. Must get going, the two cafe au laits have got me jittery, and ready for what awaits me today. Can't believe the time has gone by this quickly, as they say, if for just a fleeting moment. Stay well, all my friends, and yes I think of you each and everyday, and mostly while you are sleeping!

A RELAXING DAY!

The Nice jazz Fest was a lot smaller than I imagined, two small stages, tons of people. Saw five venues, two were a trio, and way too jazzy for me, but three were awesome, Alain Clark from Amsterdam was jamming! Only saw Tracy Chapman for a few minutes, due to getting back, and not have to sleep outside the train station with the undesirables. Had some time on my hands, so I thought I'd have a glass of wine, but everything was shut done except the sleezy sex shops, therefore the photo, many more cinesex etc. but I thought one would be enough for your viewing.

Lay in bed early before the sun was shining, listening to the doves sing, the high pitch shrills of parakeets high in the olive trees, smelling the salty ocean, and the vendors unloading their goods for the daily morning open market. The market is incredible, with every fruit, vegetable, herb, flower, meat, and fish you can think of. Wish I had a flat, so I could buy some of the beautiful goods, and cook for myself, would buy fresh artichokes, cauliflower, and flowers right now. Then off to The Musee Picasso, interesting, do not necessarilly love his art, but it sounds like he was a true womanizer, had many at once. My favotite exhibit was the old black and white photos of him painting, and with his women.

Not sure what I will do for the rest of the day, drinking cafe au lait right now as I sit in the internet cafe. Can you believe that, it is 2:30 pm, and no wine yet! By the way Happy Birthday Pete, when I got up you were all still celebrating with the time difference. Don't flip out about turning 50, just remember you made it there! A few more pleasant pictures of the market herbs, and one of the jazz fest.

ANTIBES

Yes, I made it here, and now I truly understand the meaning of Retard, it is the Latin word for late, delayed, emotionally behind, or something of this nature. Only 3 stops, easy, until I decided after checking in, and ditching le baggage, to venture to Nice, to try to get a ticket for tonights Jazz Fest. Succeeded, after 3 hrs. of intense communication in bad French. Was thinking how wonderful the trains were, with only a fanny pack, and for thinking this, VOILA, Retard, shows up on the board, several hrs. later made it back!

Had dinner, and ventured around the harbour for an after dinner stroll, only to view the yachts worth aprox. 5-15 million, wow, what a sight! Will have to try to take pictures tomorrow night. Must be nice to be able to afford such big toys! Stayed out way to late listening to a band, Frenchies singing American music, they were pretty good! My hotel is located in the center, so even if I tried to go to bed early, would be impossible! Keep forgeting I am not 20 anymore, until the next morning, when I truly feel my age!

Must go get ready to go train, and bus it to the show tonight. Trains stop running at midnight, so must figure this one out, maybe some advil, and a glass of wine will assist this process. A few pictures of Antibes, not much time to sightsee as of yet, but will make it to Picasso's Musee eventually!

CANNES, THE COAST OF FRANCE!

Leaving Le Cannet today for Vielles (old) Antibbes, much smaller, the home of Picasso. Must be out in less than 1 hour, and of course am running like a retard, the idea of lugging baggage is just unpleasant, but only 3 train stops away, and now that I have found a favorite haunt, a cafe called "Feeling Good" all about music, and people, a tiny cafe, yet vibrant in personalities, If only we could teach Culo something about the business!

At this point you have probably realized I have totally bypassed Spain for reasons I will allow you to decode, am staying in France, almost want to go back to Italy. Glad I decided to travel like this now, any older, and it might kill me. Listening to a French radio station, which plays a lot of American music, James Brown is singing as we speak " I Feel Good ". Nice Jazz Fest starts tomorrow for 8 days, such artists as BB King, Tracy Chapman, Chick Corea, sonny Rollins, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks etc. etc. May try to go for one night, if I can figure out how to get there, I know by train,bus, and how to buy a ticket?

Here are a few photos, must get my retarded ass in gear, will write again when I find the next internet point, and am down to only 1 French cigarette.. Mon Dieu! Love, and really do miss all of you! By the way this is an old castle in Cannes, that is as far as I got, and the other is Gregory Pecks handprint, there, of course were many more, but I choose his!?

TRAVEL BLUES AND BASTILLE DAY!

It is a quickie I write tonight, the trains were fucking awful, what should have taken 4-5 hrs took 10 due to srikes, track repairs, whatever!! Boring, and very restless, but finally made it to the outskirts of Cannes, France,about a half an hour walk each way to the beach. Afraid to take the train to Barcelona, as that is about a ten hr. trip.

Made it on time for the Bastille day fireworks, awesome, touching and beautifully Choreogrphed, could not take pictures, as too many tall people standing in my way, and not enough energy to work my way in, but I describe it as sea life, urchins, star fish, people frolicking in the skies, heavens, moons,stars, and much more, it was truly brillant, an oray of colored lights which danced over the ocean waters, with thousands of people present. The music was a feeling of past things we will always remember from our lives, so moving, and fitting with the fireworks.

On the way out there were 3 Native Americans from Ecuador playing flutes, and instruments, which were handmade, eery,yet familiar. That is the only photo I took of 2 of them, their clothing was so colorful, and vibrant. Tomorrow is another day, think I will walk to the beach after a much needed sleep,figure out my trip to Barcrlona,read a book and view the relaxing sights.

LAUGHING MY ASS OFF!

Sorry, can't help but laugh my ass off at the sights around me! Boy is life amusing when you look at it from a different perspective. Sitting in my room eating leftover chinese food from this afternoon, as Italian food,and I need to have a huge break. Don't know if I'll be cooking, or eating Italian food for a while. Those promises I made about cooking, may be on the rain check list!

Today I saw a girl wearing Chuck Taylors(converse) one shoe read "this is not just a shoe" and the other one read "this is a man". I thought that was hillarious, and quite the statement! Anyway today went to the Island of Murano, spectacular watching the Maestros make the glass pieces. All my girls will be receiving genuine Murano glass earrings in the next 5-6 weeks! I stayed so long viewing the galaries, they even gave me a ride back to Venice on their private boat. Nothing fancy, but not packed in like sardines!!

Next was Chinese food, then The Hard Rock Cafe for a few, had to have my fix of American music. Came back, and it was my intention of going back to Venice, but by the time it took me to get back on the bus, and, again the sardine effect,
decided to stay local. Walked around the square, as they call it, of course had some wine! There is a bar right next door owned by Asians, amazing what they own in Italy! Many Asian tourists are the worst, hate to say that, but true.

It is 11:30 pm here, should pack, get some sleep, but think I'll wander back for a few more. No rest for the wicked. Also saw a tugboat towing a HUGE cruise ship, fasanating to watch, and too long to take a photo. Will add a few pictures from todays excursion, one more Armani Gondola man, not as good as the other 2.

Tomorrow early, we'll see how the trains run, ready for France...Cherchez La Femme, and I shall continue to look for the Armani French men! Viva La France!

ARMANI MEN

Okay for my girl friends out there, tracking down those Armani men. Found 3, but only 2 came out well in pictures, so here you go...Enjoy. Venice is amazing, too much to see and do, but will send those photos later, must get back out, off to Murano Island, I think today. FEAST, BABY FEAST!!!

Now lets see who posts comments Ciao, last day here, off to France tomorrow!