6/14/14. The post where we go to Monaco.

6/14/14: we were reluctant to leave our beautiful apartment this morning, but excited to go to Monaco.  We had a lunch reservation at a very fine restaurant, so we were dressed in our best clothes...at least, the best clothes we had packed.  We made a beautiful drive up the coast to Monte Carlo.  

The restaurant was in a hotel right beside the casino.  We arrived slightly early, so we wandered around the hotel, looking at the cases of beautiful jewelry, watches, and other luxury items for sale.  No prices, of course.  If you have to ask, you can't afford.  We didn't ask, because we knew we couldn't afford.

I cannot adequately express how wonderful a meal experience we had.  Course after course of amazing food, served in a beautiful dance by an army of perfectly trained wait staff, in an elegant setting.  No detail was overlooked. My patient, long-suffering husband also managed to charm them into a tour of the kitchen, which was incredible!  I can't think of a better way to celebrate our anniversary.  It's going to be tough to top that next year.

After lunch, we walked over to the casino.  You have to pay an admission fee to even enter the casino, and we payed the extra 10E to enter the "private" room with a stricter dress code (in theory) and higher minimum bets.  Not that it mattered, because we didn't place any bets.  We had plenty of fun watching the action.  It was unbelievable how much money was being won and lost at the tables.  We saw people tossing out 10,000E chips like they were quarters.  And do you know what?  None of those people were dressed appropriately.

This was a continuing theme throughout Monaco. The principality itself is beautiful and elegant.  However, it was filled with people who thought they were at Disneyworld.  I guess I have officially become a grumpy old lady, but I was disappointed that more people did not appreciate the experience enough to dress and conduct themselves like it was something special.  (Maybe I've watched To Catch a Thief too many times.)  And while I'm at it, you kids get off my lawn!  Okay, end of rant.

We checked into our hotel just as a thunderstorm came in.  It had been another unseasonably warm day, so this was a welcome change.  It would have been easy to stay in our hotel room, but in case this was the only day we ever spend here, we put on our rain jackets and went out exploring.  It is truly a beautiful city - I mean, principality.  We had a pleasant (light) dinner and then wandered back to the hotel to map out our plan for tomorrow.

Now that I am starting to get a little more comfortable with my French, it is time to move on to Italy.  At least they use the same currency, because I am also finally starting to get better at giving correct change, or at least getting somewhere in the ball park.

A little foot news for those who are curious.  I started off the day feeling great.  A combination of hot, humid weather and fancy footwear led to a significant downgrade, though.  Tonight It is swollen, red, and really irritated.  I guess a grumpy old lady deserves a grumpy old foot.  Hoping some rest and a car ride tomorrow in comfy shoes will do the trick. Bonne nuit...