Nice is nice, we will get to Cannes if we can, and Grasse is very...grassy

We are on day 4 of being in Nice and have made some very nice friends from Greece.  Dimitris and Ionna wanted to take us on a trip to Grasse to visit the perfume factories, so we set out around noon on our adventure.  We got stuck in traffic on the highway from all the Parisians going back home from vacation, but when we made it to Grasse it was sweet.  Literally, the air smelled of lavender and roses! We visited A perfume factory still in business and were able to smell all of the ingredients they use in their perfumes.

We were starving and wanted to visit some other sites in the area so we took a lunch at a place called Le Petit Bistro and did we know, our server was a bit of a comedian.  The food was amazing and we were very entertained by the server who is charactered on the business card below.  When I told him that he was funny and made us laugh, he said, "It is good to be a little crazy, or else it is too boring."  A good thing to remember.

After lunch we went to the perfume museum to see the history behind the world's perfumes. They had a case full of vintage scents, a few of which I remember purchasing when I was much younger and working at the mall.  Overall, Grasse was very beautiful and green.  Most of all, we had a great time getting to know two new friends.

Upon return from Grasse, Alex and I went and laid on the beach where we fell asleep in a very perfect temperature (it's hard work but someone has to do it)!  We ended up grabbing a quick bite to eat (along with some amazing profiteroles) and two beach pads so we could really lay on the beach tomorrow.  The beach has no sand whatsoever, and is covered with smooth stones instead.  On one hand, not having sand blown in my face every time someone walks or leaves the beach is great.  On the other hand, just try laying on a pile of rocks : ) .  The beach mats look great, I have high hopes for them tomorrow.

Toot toot, don't Pollute!

We have been in Nice since Wednesday at noon and have been eating our way through old town and walking everywhere!  One of the most frustrating things we have run into is checking things off of our list in terms of acquiring certain items.  For example, I needed a curler because I left mine back in the states due to the voltage and plug differences.  We ran around for two days searching for a curler and a litterbox with a lid on top!  We definitely took our common knowledge of where to buy things for granted.  I finally stumbled across a forum for expats where there was a list of stores that sold curlers, blow dryers, etc.  

(Yes, I have been eating more Gelato!)

The litterbox was the fun part.  We figured that we would have to walk about 4 blocks to and from the store to get the litterbox.....kind of an awkward thing to carry though the streets.  But we also needed to find an Apple store to get plugs for the computer.  So we rented an electric car!  These cars are amazing.  They are strategically placed at electric stations all over the city, including right outside our place.  We had to walk to the train station to create an account (Alex accomplished this all in French)!  And then came the fun part....driving through Nice in a car that does not make any noise at all, nor any pollution (nor A/C) lol.  It was very practical, fun to drive, and a very easy rental.  You get a badge that you flash in the window of these cars and it charges your account.  You can rent by the hour, day, or even a frequent rental pass for the month.  We won't need a car very often, but we found this to be most economical.

Last night we met up with another EDHEC student and his girlfriend.  We sat at a beach restaurant and got to know each other and share some laughs.  They are both from Greece and their names are Demetrios and loanna.  Ioanna already has her MBA in marketing and is working in a small city outside of Nice.  Dimitris hopes to stay and work in Nice after graduating and he is also on the same MBA track as Alex, Global Leadership.  While we were chatting, a random photographer from Bulgaria who lives in the area came up to us and asked us to take some pictures that he will later offer to sell back to you the next morning at her studio.  We entertained her desire to take our photo, but it soon became a photo shoot where she was instructing us on how to pose and even made all 4 of us get "cheek to cheek" for a really awkward picture!  It was weird, but hilarious, especially since we had all just met.

Today we are going to Grasse, just outside of Nice, with Dimitris and Ionna to go tour a perfumerie. More to come later!

Our flight to Munich

Tuesday morning was going well.  Ruckus was in a good mood and suspected nothing at all.  Little did he know, he would be in for one of the roughest days in his kitty life!  It all started as fun and games when it came time to feed him his sedative.  I say "feed" but in reality I had to open his mouth and stick my index finger (sans pill) down his throat.  Even then, he was cool as a cucumber and went about his kitty business, sunning himself and watching birds from the upstairs window.  Then came the wobbles and wall-eyed look.  Alex was having fun, taking pictures of our poor sedated cat, and it got to be about that time to leave.

He might have taken a sedative, but Ruckus fought us literally tooth and claw when it came time to go in his bag, let alone stay in it. The whole hour drive to the airport Ruckus clawed and bit his crate thinking he could possibly escape and retreat back into his country chateau (AKA:the parents' home).  But all his fighting would prove fruitless. We got through TSA having to take him completely out of the bag and hold him through the metal detector.  He did great, way better than he did in his bag.  

Then we sat for a good 2 hours and I got pretty concerned as he completely destroyed the pee pads I had put in the bag for him, and as he continued to bite through the bag.  At this point I figured that the sedative had worked the opposite in his body and made him aggressive.  Just our luck.  I felt horrible for him. This pill was supposed to make his fears much less, not freak him out even more!  And just in case you are thinking about brining your cat on a trip and need a sedative, the medication's short name is "Ace" which is short for the full name that I do not have access to while writing this.  I recommend either trying a different sedative, going without one, or if you must have it try it on your cat a week before at a half dose and see how he does.  Hopefully this advice will help someone out there!

At the midway point across the Atlantic Ocean, Ruckus has been silent for a few hours now and has curled up.  I dropped him some pieces of dry food and tried giving him an ice cube.  He seemed to only meow a little when we were taking off, probably due to all the new sensations and noises.  Only 4 more hours to go until we get to Germany, I wonder if there are some surprises for me to clean when we get there!

For some surprisingly good news...Lufthansa is quite possibly an airline after my own heart.  I mean that oh so very sincerely.  From the early takeoff, the comfy seats, complimentary headphones, plenty of storage space for carry ons, and even the food.  Dinner was the best airline food I have ever had, and this was one thing I thought for sure I would just have to "endure."  As soon as I heard the captain read over the intercom in a thick German accent that we could have penne pasta, I knew we would be alright.  Not only did we get a steaming hot plate of penne with sauce, we were delighted to find a salad, cheese, butter crackers, a roll, and an amazing chocolate brownie.  Ok, if you know me, you know that all these Germans had to do was give this girl some chocolate and they would gain a rave review! True story.  

Update: just after I finished writing this Ruckus went into a fit so I took him to the lavatory and held him.  He is still under the effects of the medication as his 3rd lids are covering most of his pretty green eyes. As I was cleaning his bag, he tried to sneak under the sink ( got his head under) and I pulled him back in.  When he realized that the bathroom noises were just as scary as his under seat assignment, he curled back up in his bag and didn't fight me closing the hatch.  I hope we get there soon!

Landed in Munich at 7:30am German time.  The sedatives finally wore off and Ruckus is back to his happy go lucky self.  Thank heavens!  Above are some pictures of our German breakfast, enjoy!

It was the night before take off and all through the house....

Not a creature was stirring, ok well maybe I was that creature stirring if by stirring you mean packing and repacking and weighing my suitcase!  It seems as though when you decide to move abroad for awhile there are something's that just are not too accommodating, like having one 50lb bag per person.  So yes, I now have my whole existence in one tiny bag and for my carry on I have opted for taking my favorite "safety blanket," my cat Ruckus.

I guess what really matters is that I am with Alex and I do get to take my furry friend and that we will be together in this new place.  It will be an adventure for sure, but I can't help but feel nervous for what is to come and excited for all the opportunities to experience new things.

Our last dinner in the old USA was spent with our dear friends at UMI Japanese Restaurant.  Satoko and her family were very sweet in insisting to make our favorite sushi.  We will miss this family and their generous spirit.  We promised them that upon return we will eat dinner at their restaurant.

Last night we had an amazing going away get together with those who could make the trek to Hickory.  For those of you who could not make it or live far away, you were here in spirit and you will be missed as well!   I was a little emotional with the good byes, but I know we will see everyone sooner than my heart feels (and for many of you it will be much sooner as you have shared your plans to visit Nice this or next year!).

For the last month we have been house hopping.  We lived with my brother in law, Fitz, and his girlfriend Kayla (and their 3 cats) for 2 weeks and enjoyed going to hot yoga, wine and design class, and hanging out with their friends.  We will miss them very much.

The last 2 weeks were spent at my father and mother in law's home in Connelly Springs where we were able to spend quality time with them.  We became frequent visitors of the pond (AKA: the redneck swimming pool) and enjoyed some stand up paddleboarding, hiking, and taking walks.  My second day at the house we went hiking up Baker's Mt and I got bit by 17 chiggers from sitting on a stump in the woods.  The bites are just now starting to fade, but I will always remember to never ever sit in nature!! 

We had a blast with our best friends Krissy and Nick Linderman at the Electric Run and when Krissy and I went to I Love Lucy live on stage!  The old fashioned Brillcreme, alka seltzer, and Chevy commercials really get stuck in your head! Best night out with my best friend ever!

Last Saturday Alex and I also participated as models for a local salon in the "Be Kind Rewind fashion show of 1920-2020."  We had a blast and all the proceeds went to the Dove House which benefits children who have been sexually abused.  Alex was in a fedora and pin stripe suit and I dawned a black flapper dress and up do!  

I better get to sleep, we have a very long day tomorrow.  We take off at 5pm from CLT and will have a layover in Munich, Germany for 2 hours before we reach Nice, France at noon(local Nice time) on Wednesday.  For those of you on the East coast, Nice is 6 hours ahead of you.  For the West coast, Nice is 9 hours ahead.  The next blog I will post will be Wednesday night after our first day, so stay tuned!! Au revoir!

(Picture below was taken at Fitz's house; from far left: Nietzsche, Grendel, Nic, Joni Ringo, Ruckus)