VENICE

Ciao BELLA!

Please disregard all the typos, spelling mistakes , ect, in this blog and all my previous blogs.

   One of my very beat friends from college, whom I happen to live with in Tennessee decided to be an au pair this summer as well.  Her name is Christina, and she has been living in Firenze! (Florence, Italy).    We were hoping that we would get to see each other at least once while we were over here in southern Europe. We somehow managed to plan a trip to VENICE, ITALY together. It is a miracle we got everything organized----and only over Facebook chat. We had to figure out a time both of our schedules would allow, hotel, flights, train rides, bus rides (ha...) 

Well we planned well, because I literally just had

 THE BEST THREE DAYS OF MY LIFE THUS FAR.

   The beginning of my journey to Italy, however started off terribly. Maybe I just have really bad travel luck, or maybe I don't pay very good attention to details....but the night before my flight I realized that the bus to the Nice airport does not run on Sundays--which was the day I was flying out. I really had to get my flight for Sunday because of Christina's schedule. I could have sworn I read the bus schedule right. Anyway, a few tears, the help of Christine and Christophe calling every taxi in Valbonne at 10 o clock at night we got a taxi set up for me for the morning.  They couldn't drive me because they were leaving early in the morning to go out of town and they would be gone all day! They even warned me of this before I bought my flight for Sunday..  

The things I do...

VENEZIA                                                      day one

Sunday morning rolls around and I am sitting outside at 8 am waiting for my taxi. Long story short, my taxi never shows, had to call more taxi companies, blah blah blah....I finally get a cab and arrived at the airport.  (My wallet was just a 'little' lighter by the time I was on my plane)

(If you knew me two years ago you would be shocked that I am able to get myself onto an airplane without being in extreme fear!)

My friend Christina was taking a train to Venice, and so the plan was for me to find a bus from the airport to her train station. On my plane ride to Venice I was sitting next to two nice Italians.  I decided just to ask them for a little advice on how the buses work, and double check if I had the right bus number.  Once we landed they were going to be driving right by the train station so they offered to give me a ride in their car.   I thought about it for a second, and then I accepted their offer!    

In the end, with everyone's luggage, I would not fit into their little Italians car. I gave them some gum to help with their ears from the flight, then proceeded to find my bus to Mestre--where the train station is!       Finally, Christina and I are reunited!  It was such a wonderful moment!

First things first, we enjoy a cappuccino  together! We are both extreme coffee lovers. Cappuccino's are the closest thing to 'enjoying a big cup of coffee' together we can find in Europe.  When you order coffee here, you will get a little tiny cup, and it tastes pretty much like straight espresso. It's good, and we both like it,  but we decided to go for the cappuccino!

Next on our agenda was to find a bus to take us to the water bus, which would then take us to the actual main island of Venice, and then find our stop, and then find our little bed & breakfast. Whew!   We are world travelers by now (ha) so it was easy-peasy finding our little home for the next three days.

The bed and breakfast we stayed at was absolutely adorable! Except for "breakfast" was not included, we had to pay extra for it. So we didn't....:)

We spent the rest of the day/evening walking around the streets, taking pictures, soaking it all in, visiting a few famous places such as the Rialto bridge and Saint Marc's Bascillica. We were too tired to research or find any non touristy places to eat, so we just sat down at the nearest place we saw when we were ready to eat.  Our waiter even gave us free stuff. Not sure why.   We actually got to split a pizza which isn't really "allowed" at these types of restaraunts but we used our American charm and they told us it would be okay!

We pretty much relaxed by the water and watched the little gondola rides float past us the rest of the evening. There was so much we had to catch up on.  Perhaps it was the perfect evening because we enjoyed each others company so much. 

The Venetian backdrop just happened to add it to.

day 2

*the best day of my life

Our first full day in Venice.   It was hard getting out of our huge comfortable bed, but the 

city was waiting for us!  Believe it or not, Christina and I HAVE been working all summer. Around 30 hours a week. We almost planned a trip to Rome,  but we knew we 

would be stressed to see everything, ect. So we decided to go for a relaxing trip to Venice.

  Of course there is tons to see in Venice as well,  we just knew it would be more of a 

relaxed time.   We both really just wanted to relax, talk to locals, share our experiences, 

 laugh together, and throw a little sight seeing in the mix. (hey--it's hard to do Venice on a tight budget!)

We both wanted to go to the top of the famous tower so we could see the 360 view of Venice! After buying fresh fruit at the local market and eating it beside the water, we heads straight there. The line was not too terrible! I did not go to the top  of the Eiffel 

Tower, so I decided I should go to the top of this one, at least!  It was very windy, cold, and crowded at the top, but that did not matter to either of us. The view was just like the view I have seen on all the documentarys on the History Channel I have watched over the years. 

There was Venice. 

ALFREDO'S!

After the tower, it was about time for us to eat lunch. Having done our research,me knew that "Alfredo's pasta to go" would be the BEST and most FRESH Italian food. And a budget at that. Apparently it is a little hidden treasure in Venice, but after finding our way through all the little alleys and roads, we found it. With a big line of people. We didn't mind the line, because we knew we must have chosen the right place!  Everyday, the pasta is made fresh. You can actually see the pasta being made behind the counter. Since it is fresh, the types of pasta change everyday. When we were there we could chose fettuccine, penne, or fusilli. After you chose your pasta type, you pick what sauce, meat, vegetables, etc. You would like on it.  10 minutes later they hand you your order in what looks like a Chinese take out box.   I chose the fusilli with mushrooms, tomatoes, cheese, and a few other Italian things I did not know the name of, and had the most delicious meal of my life. And all for SIX dollars. ......... uhh....EUROS.

(there is such a thing as going to)

THE WRONG CHURCH

 Christina and I wanted to visit the island where the most famous,beautiful church in Venice was, and then pay the fee to enter. I suppose we were too busy laughing and having fun than to realize we took the boat to the wrong church! It looked very beautiful on the outside, but when we walked inside we both just looked at each other and realized the mistake we made! Don't get me wrong, it was lovely, just not quite what we were expecting!  Oh well! We didn't care. We took a few pictures then walked around this quite little village.

We took the very crowded water bus back to the main part of Venice..which is where our bed and breakfast was located.   It was time for our afternoon coffee, but there are so many choices of cafes, restaurants, ect. It is hard to decide where to go. We decided to just go to one that was really close to the place we were staying.   Well we go to a little place, order our Cappicino's, take a sip, and realize we were kind of over charged for the quality of the cappicino! We looked around and realized everyone working at the cafe was not Italian (they were Asian) and the decor was very minimal.   We started laughing so hard! Of all the beautiful cafes and places to relax in Venice, THIS was the place we chose?! We enjoyed our drinks, but promised ourselves we would not visit this place again :)

After contacting our families to let them know we were "alive" and not going to be featured on 20/20,  we showered, dressed, and got ready for dinner! I rushed Christina (as always--she is so slow!) because we were about to miss the time for the perfect lighting to take pictures in! I can thank Lauren Carroll and Spencer Hughes for teaching me this.  We made it just in time to our favorite little spot by the water to have a "mini photoshoot".   

We headed towards the main area of Venice and wondered through the streets to find our perfect little dinner spot. I think we chose a very tourist-y place. But that is okay! We used our charm with the owners to let us split a meal with each other. (In hindsight, we both could have finished a full plate ourselves, but we did Venice on a budget, remember?!). 

 

I said "tourist-y" place....well in Venice there are more tourists than residents. So there are very few local treasures I suppose.  We actually enjoyed that Venice was full of tourists, because for once, nobody 'cared' that we were tourists! Everyone was all IN THE SAME BOAT.  Well, not quite. I didn't see any gondolas that big.  

Okay, corny jokes aside, Venice felt so safe! I felt much more safer and relaxed there than in Paris.  However, I should not begin to try to compare the two.

After dinner, we wandered towards Saint Marks Basilica and listened to the professional musicians who are hired to play at very nice restaurants. There is a cover charge to even sit down outside at one of these restaurants, because of the incredible music. Christina and I stood there for about an hour. We got the courage to introduce ourselves to the musicians while they were on their break.   We told them we studied music at our university and asked if they would play Summertime by Gershwin.  

Next thing we know we are standing in the middle of the square, at sunset, wind blowing, and listening to the most beautiful version of this classic song. The phrasing the musicians used was so beautiful.  We found ourselves, both, with our eyes closed enjoying this perfect musical moment.   It was one of those moments I think we both will never forget.

After being tired of standing, I got the 'bright' idea to ask this lady who was sitting alone if we could join her...explaining how we didn't want to pay for the cover charge ect. (I know this is terrible, considering the money goes towards the musicians and if course I am all for that, but anyway...).  She said we could sit with her if we pitched in a few euros. Next thing we know it was 2 am, and we were still enjoying conversation with this lovely woman from Kiwi, I believe it is near New Zealand.   In fact, it was her birthday, and she was spending it alone in Venice.  We sang happy birthday to her. And had some very good conversation. I was so happy we could be with her on her birthday.

And then...we slept.

            day 3

We decided to take a boat ride to Lido Beach.   It is a very lovely beach on the Adriatic sea. We learned that it was the Adriatic sea later--because we felt like ignorant Americans not having a clue what sea we were swimming in.   The boat ride lasted about an hour.  It was more like a water bus than a nice little speed boat.  The weather was lovely however, and we even snuck coffee cups out of our hotel room and made coffee to go.   The typical American way.   We also did not pack towels for the beach, since we wanted to keep our luggage light...and we didn't know if our towels in our room were getting replaced...so we kind of took the giant extra blanket we found in our room and took it to the beach.  (don't worry, we washed it after)   Next we realized neither one of us had sunscreen, so we had to make a run to the pharmacy. The cheapest bottle of sunscreen lotion was 20 euros.  So luckily I spotted these little "sample" packets of sunscreen that we got for 3 euros each.

At the beach, after taking a few pictures, I decided it would be worth it to buy a locker for the day. That way we could swim and not worry about our stuff being stolen. We had to pay a 15 euro deposit on our locker! 

It was a really lovely day, and the island of Lido was so adorable. It felt like the Italian version of The Truman Show. 

After a very interesting boat ride back, we made it to our bed and breakfast and got ready quickly for our last night in Venice.  And at the end of the night, we found ourselves in the main square, standing, and listening to another set of professional musicians. We eventually talked to them as well.  They have all studied for years. Only two of the musicians were from Venice. The rest were from eastern Europe, because the companies could pay them less :(

We even got to make more song requests. We heard Somewhere Over The Rainbow and Time To Say Goodbye.  We both looked over at each other and noticed we both had watery eyes. It was that amazing.  Now that is how you send your last night in VENICE.

Not wanting the night to end, we got a snack and sat by the water. Sharing more of our au pair stories and things we have learned while here in Europe.

we walked back to our bed and breakfast and fell right to sleep.

the last day

to sum it up:

Fresh fruit from the market by the water, buying and wearing silly matching I LOVE VENEZIA t-shirts,  buying masquerade masks for our little girls, then wearing them around town, then Indian men coming up to me asking me if I will take a picture with them (I think they thought I was employed by the city because of my silly 'get up')   lunch at ALFREDO'S, and a goodbye cappuccino while we people-watched, a 40 minute bus ride to my airport, and a very sad goodbye.   

We told each other "See you in AMERICA!"

my week!

Wednesday

I watched and played with Marie most of the morning.  Well, my "morning." HER morning began at 4 am when she woke up her parents.  She is still fighting a sickness. Once she gets her medicine in her, she does much better. I hate seeing her look so pitiful and sick. 

Wednesday's are one of the days I work the most hours.  I did leave the house during Marie's nap time. I had a lovely afternoon walking around Valbonne. 

Notice I did not use the term "exploring" Valbonne. I know this village now!

I spent more money than I should at the little shops. I know I do not have much time left and I don't want to ...uh.."forget" anything before I leave ;)

When I returned for the evening Marie seemed much more like herself! In fact, she did not even want me to stop and eat my dinner she wanted to keep playing with her outside!  How can I resist when she is saying in ENGLISH 

"Come on Leah! Let's go!"

Thursday

Grasse, France


Christine asked me the other day if I had anything else I wanted to do before I left.  She mentioned a while ago about this amazing perfume and soap store in a city called Grasse  Everything at this store is made from southern France!  Apparently the only place in the world where lavander grows naturally IS southern France.   The store is called Fragonard (I may have spelled it wrongkm)  There are currently a few other shops around France but the one in Grasse is the oringial.

Anyway, we went to Fragonard and we even bought Marie.  Grasse is a little bit of a drive away, so I really appreciated Christine taking me here!  It was really cool to be in a perfume type store where everything is literally made in their "backyard"
(Not quite the same experience at Bath and Bodyworks!)

Marie loves my watch, and her mom told her that she would get her a watch!  We looked all over the stores around Grasse but did not see any that were for kids.  I am SUCH an expert shopper that I happened to spot some! Marie was so excited!  She had been begging her mom for a watch!  She picked out a lovely little pink watch that came with a diary.  She also got a little matching clock for her room. 
  

After that, we went to a little cafe and had a late afternoon snack. 

I had an AMAZING crepe!  Christine suddenly smelled some coffee and remembered how much I LOVE it so she told me I could get some if I wanted.  Once I smell coffee, it is SO hard to resist.  So I gratefully acccepted her offer.  Shopping, crepes, and coffee.
Cest parfait!!!

She was starting to feel tired at this point --ha!  Or maybe I am just taking too many pictures!


Christine told Marie that she did not even have to take a bath last night since she was not feeling good.  Marie decideds tonight she wants one--which usually it can be a struggle to get her to the bath!   So she says, "Come on to the bath Leah!"
She gets in the tub then she looks at me and then at her and then says,
"You and me in the bath."
And points to the spot next to her.  That little Marie!

I did not get all the way in the bath with her, but I did put my legs in.  She got a new toothbrush, so she decided to use her old one for bathtime.   She was scrub-a-dub-dubbing herself with a little pink tooth brush.  Then she begins to scrub my skin with her toothbrush.  Ha!  Once she got bored of that, she put soap on her toothbrush and began to...uhh.. 'wash my hair.'
She is always thinking of something!  She reminds me a lot of my big sister, Sarah when she was little.  She always had so many ideas and little inventions.  She loved exploring how things work, just like Marie.  
After bathtime, when I carry her little self wrapped in her pink towel into her room, she often likes to play this little game with me.  (Well, I think its a game)
The game is called..
 "Dont Let Leah Put Your Pajamas On but Run Around the House Naked Instead"

Something my big sis, Sarah would have done too.
:)


It is a good thing you are like my big sissy, Marie!  Because she is an engineer and is very smart and wonderful!

WEEKEND..... I met up with some au pair friends and headed to the market in Valbonne! Later that night was the national "FESTIVAL OF MUSIC" where all over France people are playing live music on the streets! It was fun.

I am also currently not in FRANCE........ I'll update later to tell all about it. ..... CIAO!

bonheur

bonjour mon amis...ou des inconnus....:)
quelques photos















I am so behind on my blogging!  Paris and making friends here in Valbonne has set me back some.   
It is a scary thought that I do not have much time left.   Not going to think about it.   Yet.

Saturday
I spent my entire Saturday in Nice with 2 other au paris.  I got to bike the entire coastline! I even biked some on the main road.  Who am I these days!   It took me about three hours.    It was really....nice.  It was also very nice spending the day with other au pairs!   We all have at least some common ground.  Even though we come from totally different places and areas in our lives.   It is definietly interesting to see.   I have realized just how much of an "American" girl I am.   My day in Nice I talked with people from Holland, Mexico, Germany, Romania---what an interesting group of people to all be sitting on the beach together in France sharing about ourselves.   I can honestly say my experience here in France has been so wonderful and englightening!  


My bike ride, the flower market, and Nice at Night! 








SundayIle Sainte Marguerite


I spent all day Sunday with my friend from Holland, Renee on an island off the coast of France! We had to take a boat ride--it was so lovely and relaxing.  We were on the island all day. Hiking, relaxing, swimming, exploring, picture taking, and talking.    It was the perfect day.  Christine and Christophe are so nice to give me all that time off this weekend!  They knew that these were things I desperately wanted to do before I left.  So thanks again to you both! If you are ever in this area of France, defintitely go see this island! 






Monday
This morning, Marie woke up so excited to play with me!  Having not really spent much time with her lately, I was very happy to get to play with her!  We were best buds alll day long.  She even spent her afternoon looking for things in the garden as "a gift for my mom"  Yes. A gift for my mom inAmerica.... She said she saw her on skype and "she loves her"  I love her too, Marie!


Marie has had a fever the last few days, but if you did not know her, you would not be able to tell.  She is always full of life and energetic!  I love that about her.  This morning she made the biggest mess I have ever seen in her room!  A mess so big her mom just decided to take the day completely  reorganizing it.   It was a fun morning, though.  We made a giant "Boat" in her bed!  She put almost every toy she owned in her bed, as well as an umbrella, a lamp from downstairs which she wanted plugged in and underneath the giant fort I made over the bed.   It was so cute to hear her using English.  I was trying to squeeze my twenty-three year old five-foot seven self inside this tiny fort on her bed and my feet were sticking out.  She proceded to tell me no, "No!  Look at the feet and the toes!" Then she helped me squeeze them in as well.
After this, I was so hot from all the blankets!  I picked her up and we opened her window for some fresh air.  She then began singing the melody to Elton John's Can You Feel the Love TonightShe was singing it in French but, me being the AMAZING (ha) musician I am I immediately recognized the song!  I began to hum along with her and she was in my arms as we looked out at the beautiful mountains and palm trees in the distant.    Perhaps it was just how music always touches my heart, or hearirng the soaring melody of this world famous song, or being emotional in gerneral about leaving,  but Marie and I had one of "those" moments together.  I'll never forget it.  We then searched the house for her stuffed "Simba" and watched the Lion King.   We danced together when this song came on during the movie.  Later that night..I  got in the bath with her in my bathing suit!  She was so excited she was jumping up and down  and up. And bust. My lip.  Ah yes, a busted lip by a four year old during bath time.  I quickly called Christine in and took care of the bleeding.  When I came back, Marie was so happy because she "wanted me to stay with her!"It is stories like this that I will always remember!


Tuesday
Poor Marie is still fighting a sickness.  She woke up early this morning with a terrible fever.  Her mom had taken her to the doctor the other day, but they were informed it was just a virus.  
So today Christine took her to the doctor again, they tried to do a strep test but Marie (sorry) threw up everywhere! Therefore they could not get the test in.  In America, a doctor would just go ahead and prescribe Marie the antibiotics for strep, but not here in France.  They could not do anything so if she is still running a fever in a few days they have to go back to the doctor AGAIN! Despite being sick, when she has a little bit of medicine in her she is playful as ever. (as I already mentioned)Today I pushed her around the house on a skateboard, played with a kermit the frog puppet with her, let her try on my beautiful graduation present Michael Kors watch that she has always loved (I know, I know.  She only wore it for about five minutes)  I probably should have not let her wear it, because now shes keeps telling her mom that she wants one.  Watch out, Christine--she is starting young!



the au pair community



It seems anytime I am in a big group of other au pairs, it turns into a little "venting" session.  I have realized that "venting" is an American expression used mostly by young people so let me explain.Venting-  (v) When a person tells stories of their hard times, frustrations, bad experiences, to other people who can relate or just listen to them complain.
Therefore, I have heard many many first hand account au pair stories since I have been here.  I must say that I really do have THE BEST host family there is!  I spent a lot of time praying about what country I should go to, and about what family I should be with this summer.  It was not just a "hmmm I think this sounds like a good idea to go live in another country, I will do it!"I knew that leaving my home, my country, my family, and joining all new ones was a big decision!  I prayed a lot, and I had such a peace about coming here with Marie and her family!

Don't get me wrong, my experience here has not been extremely easy all the time and a vacation 24 hours a day 7 days a week.  I am just saying that I am so blessed by my wonderful family here in France and that I am so happy that the LORD has placed me here and opened up my eyes to so many wonderful, beautiful things.