Lifestyle of the Rich and Famous

So you wanted riches, fame, and fortune?  Well, here is what you're getting...

You leave on a very rainy Friday from Rotterdam for the beaches of the French Riviera, you are accompanied by your fantastic new weekend bag.  You've got all your best sun clothes, and are ready to find a man.  Once in Nice, you catch the bus, and a Nice lady makes sure you get off at the right stop.  The air is clean and the night is clear.  You get to your room at the hostel, and quickly head out for some ice cream. It's a Nice night, and Nice to hear the ocean again.  And tomorrow... the long awaited - CANNES!

When you walk out the next morning, you find that it is raining cats and dogs, like torrential downpour, never going to let up raining. You did not pack for this, but really, it's not cold, you won't melt, and you buy an umbrella.  Flip flops may not be the best option, but it's better than ruining your cute leather boots (you only about lose your shoes in the rushing water like 3-4 times and only everyone looks at you like you're a freak).

In Cannes, it is a sea of umbrellas, if there did happen to be 1 celebrity out in that weather, it would be near impossible to see them.  You walk around, try to figure out where to go and what is open.  All the beach bars are closed, and you finally find a hotel bar that has people there.  It does... it is packed.  The bartenders are Nice (for the French), even if the wine is expensive - 9 Euros a pop...before leaving you find a place to sit and get a drink.  And there you met the cutest guy who is a producer.  He advises you to talk to people and invite yourself to join them.  He gives you his number to meet up later.

No outdoor movies :(

People were taking pictures of her, so I did too.
she looks like a pixie :) 

Before you go on, you decide to buy shoes....and some yellow jeans.  Once warmer, you head to the next hotel, where you talk to another producer, banker, and a lawyer (no, I'm not setting you up for a joke).  You're feeling more optimistic, find some dinner at an Italian restaurant (realize you gave someone the wrong number to meet up at 9, and aren't sure you can amuse yourself - or afford to drink until 12 when the late night parties start), so you acquiesce to the French guy who is nice and pays for your dinner.  You walk, he tries to talk (his English is no good), and he takes you to the casino.  He pays, and you hit it big on the slots (he loses on his machine).  You cash in the ticket, he plays (and loses) at roulette and you decide to play some blackjack...all in all, you end up ~400 in the black and he lets you keep it, but he's creepy - so you bail (you can apply for the alternate story via email if you wish). It's too late for the train, but you're too tired to be at a club until 5.  You share the cab with a couple people, and crash out.

On Sunday, you stop in Antibes on the way back to Cannes - you are determined to give it another shot.  You spend a while walking around, appreciating the scenery and the boats (e.g., floating mansions).  It's a lovely part of the day, reading in the sun and becoming dangerously too introspective for such a holiday.  You eventually head back to Cannes, and take it easy at the same bars.  You happen to run into the same lawyer from South Africa again, and tentatively make plans.  You realize you should have tried to make that work, but instead you had dinner with a relatively odd Serbian.  It was ok, but you are ready to head back to Nice.

 

Monday - you decide to go to another country.  You've had enough of France, and decide to try fantastic Monaco! The day is clear, and the ride is Nice.  The floating mansions are large, and they are setting up for the Grand Prix! Damn - you're transported back to high school with all the cool cars, and you even head to the Monte Carlo casino - at 25 a hand, you take a bit before you want to play (they are using 6 decks and continuously shuffling the used cards in the mix! Damn casino, you crazy!).  You do play, and get an enjoyable amount of time from it, plus, the bartender gives you a free glass of wine so you don't leave.  Too sweet (not the wine, the bartender).

 

You figure that the 3rd time is a charm, and head back to Cannes...it's a big premiere, and the atmosphere is electric waiting for the celebrities to arrive.  You're too short and don't get there soon enough, but the mood is much more enjoyable.  You never hear from the cute producer again, but you knew you wouldn't (I mean you DID click the link above and see how beautiful he was, right?).  You meet a nice director on the way back, and get a copy of his film... so I guess what you wanted was more about the movies and you did get an indie one for yourself, so that was kind of Nice.

Your last day in Nice is the Nicest.  You enjoy strawberries, and a walk to the top of the hill.  You (painfully) walk on the rocks to the ocean and dip your toes in the sea.

While your trip involved no fame, and only a small fortune, you come out having a had a lot of time to think.  You grew a little, but also felt sorry for yourself too much.  You die of an unused heart, and a wine soaked liver.