March 9

View of Nice, France. Today, I went on my first "field trip" with LdM. My tuition covers two overnight trips planned by the school. After working hard to plan weekends in Rome and upcoming spring break, it was nice to have all of the planning and legwork done for me! The morning started at 6am when we departed Florence for Monaco by charter bus. After I opened my droopy eyes, I was able to take in the beautiful sights. My oh my, Monaco is ritzy. The streets are filled with expensive cars (even this no-nothing-about-cars-I-drive-a-2000-Accord-girl was impressed by the Lamborghini I saw). Monaco has an extensive, elaborate, rule-driven system for becoming a citizen. It's no easy feat--you must have four generations of connections and moo-lah, but citizens of Monaco have huge perks provided for them. We were told that the elderly citizens are each appointed maids and cooks to help them live on their own. I had a date with my long lost love for lunch--goat cheese--and had an excellent savory crepe. We boarded the bus to Monte Carlo. We honed in our inner Sex and The City characters and went into the famous Monte Carlo casino. Tiny sipping cocktails were served for no less than 16 euro--I did not partake. The toilets in the bathroom sanitized themselves after each use. I really felt like Princess Caroline of Monaco. Next, we headed to Nice where we checked into Univers Hotel and had a walking tour of the city. I was able to walk on the beach! Dinner was on LdM's nickel. We were told to expect (and I am quoting from the iternary) "a delicious set-menu at a typical French restaurant." I am no food snob (okay, just a little), but the dinner was not good. I came to France as a sophomore in high school and our chaperones ordered Pizza Hut for our first dinner in Paris. I needed a redeemed French food experience! Well, a mixed salad, zucchini in tomato sauce, french fries, and a teeny piece of ice cream cake later, the 100 students and I were thoroughly disappointed. One student said, "I'd rather have TGI Fridays than this." Bummer. We took our unsatisfied tummies to get an after dinner drink. I had a great time listening to live music and drinking a cider beer. But, man was I exhausted!