I AM smiling take the picture!

Tehehe Insert your own caption here...

The alley ways of Fort Royal

Walls of Fort Royal Paul took this nice shot love!

Sunset in Cannes...

Screening room on the beach in Cannes for the film festival.

Wednesday May 24th, Off to Lyon! Maybe not....

We woke up this morning with full intentions of getting on a train bound for Lyon. We got everything packed up and headed for the train station. They were on a number system just like at the deli counter. We got a number and had a seat on the floor. It was going to be a while. Paul went out to the lobby and got us some breakfast and coffee. He soon realized he left his phone at the hotel. Leaving me with the bags he ran back and luckily it was still there. Our number finally came up and Paul went up to see what we could get. It turns out the next train wouldn't be till much later putting us in Lyon late. Instead we got tickets for the next day and decided to stay one more night in Nice.

We found a hotel and decided we would head for a beach. On the hunt for sandy beach not the pebbles of Nice we thought about going to Cannes, but with the film festival going on Cannes was just way to crazy. We headed for the tourist office and he suggested going to Antibes. Easily reachable by the train just a few stops down. Beach mats in tow we headed to Antibes for sandy beach. We found it along fortress walls sitting in a little cove area. The beach was busy but not packed. We set up shop and headed for the water. No one in the water maybe its just cold. Wrong! Jelly fish or medusas everywhere. Not just the little white ones but these guys had red running through them as well. After I saw a little girl come out screaming I said no thank you. Paul having never been stung like I have was much braver and headed out into the water. I kept watching this band of teenagers chilling on the beach trying to spin Poi. I was itching to get up and show them how it's done but figured that would cause problems.

As the beach was clearing out we packed up and headed back for Nice. Paul has been telling me so much about this Pizza place in Cannes I think tonight we should give it a whirl. I got a little dressed up to try and fit in with all the red carpet wanna b's off to Cannes we head. We get to the little pizza place and it's packed! Apparently the place to be! It will be a little bit of a wait we are in no rush so we wait. There is one man making the pizza's in a big brick oven. It's the same guy that was making the pizzas when Paul lived here. He is so into it its crazy! We get a table and they seat a guy at our table with us who was complaining about everything from the start. Just then I got a call from mom so I head outside to talk to her. I'm standing at the window watching the pizza guy. Hunched over a little pizza he looks up just with his eyes at me and smiled, then very intensely he picked up the pizza and flipped it and kept smiling at me. It was too funny. I saw our dinner arrive so I headed back in to Paul who I sadly left at the table by himself with the muppet. Apparently the muppet thought I was from South America and he was a big producer muppet. Yeah anyway! We got a good laugh out of him had a fabulous dinner and desert and headed out to one of Pauls old hangouts.

The place was hoping! Paul recognized some faces behind the bar and caught up for a minute with them. We got a few pints and head over to a massive bar table to enjoy the band some. Time for another drink Paul leaves and goes to the bar for round two. No sooner did he leave some drunk came over and was hitting on me. Some friend had bet him he I wouldn't talk to him. Trying to speak French to me at first then bad English I tried to tell him I'm there with my boyfriend. Paul comes back and he leaves. Paul said I can't leave you alone for two seconds can I. I keep trying to tell him I'm quite the catch he just hasn't realized it yet! All in all a fun night. We head back to nice one last time tomorrow we are going to Lyon. I can't wait Paul has told me so much about it and I'm finally going to get to see it!

Thursday May 25th, On to Lyon...

Time to leave Nice for the time being and head to Lyon. I'm very excited about seeing Lyon because Paul has talked a lot about this place. We get on our train and off we go. We get into the train station and then take the metro into town. We decide to get a hotel right next to the train station. After a brief fresher up we head into town. Paul takes me to his favorite sandwich shop. They make this sandwich that basically is a panini with hamburger and french fries and everything on the panini. There goes the weight I lost. Yum Yum! Paul took me all over town showing me the highlights. The open squares with cafes lining the sidewalks. The park which was having a big festival going on at the time.

Wandering the little streets we find a rave party in the middle of the day on a Thursday in the street. We later found out it was a bank Holiday. He took me to the river and showed me where he used to live. Wow nice view from his old place. Lots of fountains here. Paul seems to dig fountains. I guess I do to that's one of the reasons I had taken him to Longwood gardens back home. After a wander around town we head to the St. James where Paul used to work. Once again everyone he wanted to see was out of town. He's not having much luck meeting up with old friends. That sucks I wanted to meet all these people. We have a pint of beer and decide to play some pool. I'm shocked...no numbers on the balls...weird. He then proceeds to tell me European rules. Oh yeah short pool cues too...very weird. He of coarse kicks my but the first go around. But then he scratches on the 8. Turns out that rule is the same! He lost that one.

We walked around town a little more and headed to a little pub Paul used to hang out in. The girl behind the bar (I'm sorry love I'm so bad with names) recognizes him. Long story, but she knew Paul when he lived there. They do a little catching up and we proceeded to drink. There was a football game on at which Paul lost 5 Euro to me for. There was live music coming on so we stuck around and continue to drink and have a blast! Last call came...not sure what time that was but we seem to think It may have been around 2:30. So we weren't drunk but very happy. Paul wanted to get a cab I wanted to walk.

We remember the walk home...once there we decided this was our first room with a bathtub so we are going to take a hot bath. What happened next is a mystery! Next thing I remember is a knock on the door. I wake up confused...another knock. Who is it? It's me let me in! I open the door and there in the hallway is Paul without a stitch of clothing on. I mean as naked as the day he was born! I asked what he is doing in the hallway naked? Shut up go sleep! But...How long have you been out there? Why are you naked? What happend? The last thing I remember is the bath...what happened after that? Shut up go sleep! I look at his watch...it's 4:00 am. Good Night! We will revisit this situation tomorrow.

Awww how cute! Check out these fountains!

Across the river the cathedral and mini Eiffel Tower

The Cathedral overlooking Lyon

The big game!

Friday May 26th, A day in fabulous Lyon...

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Paul and Lyon!

Stacy and Lyon! Beautiful isn't it?!

Paul and I in the Roman Theater overlooking Lyon

I love this picture :-)

Postcard view of Lyon

A rose in her grden awwww!

My new place of Employment!

Saturday May 27th, So long Lyon...

One last cafe in Lyon

Unfortunately it's time to move on. I LOVE THIS CITY! This is it, this is where I feel at home. Paul was nice enough to get up and go to the train station to get our tickets to Avignon. We packed our bags and dropped them at the desk to head into town one last time. After a stop at the bakery for breakfast, we find a cafe where I can sit Paul down so I can finally do my shopping. We have a coffee and off I go! So many shops so little time!

I didn't get far...only about four shops up actually. I went into this shop that had great Asian looking clothes made in Indian bought in France. How do you like that! After some improve trying to ask for a dressing room and about 110. Euro later I came out with a great little jacket, a pair of pants, funky skirt and a Asian style top to go with my paints. I walked around a bit longer but nothing screamed buy me and I thought I had done enough damage. I go back to collect my handsome man and we pick up our bags and head for the train station. Something is missing...MY JACKET! I had put it on the back of the chair downtown behind Paul and didn't collect it when I collected him! CRAP! God bless him, he went back and got it for me. Off to Avignon! So long Lyon, I WILL be back!

We arrived in Avignon and headed into town to try and get a hotel. As luck would have it we stumble on this little side street with a hotel. We head inside into a colorful room that smelled divine! There were only I think 12 rooms if that and each room had a theme. I was eyeing up Morocco but we ended up with Africa. Nice little room. The curtains where in a giraffe print with great wooden masks on the walls. The bathroom was tiled pink with a showercurtain covered in pink flamingos. As always the windows came open immediately. I love those windows I could sit and look out them all day even if there is no view. Once settled we decide to head into town.

Having been here before Paul took me to the main highlights of the city first just to get a look around and maybe see what me may want to do tomorrow. There is a pottery market going on in the main square. Paul said this town was famous for its pottery. I could see why. Hungry? Yesss. It was time for me to have my first kebob. Oh was it lush (a Paul word)! Yeah I could get used to those! What weight I had lost before coming to France all came back in one meal. We headed into some back streets in search of a area the lady at the hotel told us about. We found it. A little street with a canal running alongside of it with little cafe's and paddle wheels. Nice little area. We end up at a Tapas place originally looking to do the French thing for a change it ended up being an evening in Spain. With a bottle of Sangria and great tapas! Not bad for our first day in Avignon. Tomorrow we will do the full tourist route. I want to get in that palace. Back to Africa I mean the hotel!

Last look at the Saint James...

Sunday May 28th, The walled city of Avignon...

Today we are going to explore Beautiful Avignon. After a very late start I decide it's Sunday I'll put on a dress to people will at least THINK we went to church. We set out to find somewhere for a nice breakfast(now lunch). We find a little cafe and sit down with a bottle of wine. Stacy drank the whole bottle. Well you would think I did after getting up bumping the table and breaking a glass. You can take the girl out of Dundalk but you can't take the Dundalk out of the girl. The server was very amused he said something to Paul about after a bottle of white wine...I don't remember but Paul found it funny. He also told him he was going to add the glass to the check. After a quick stop at a internet cafe we head into town to go to the Palace of the Popes.

History bit: The Palace of the Popes is the symbol of the Church's influence over the western world during the 14th century. Built in less than 20 years starting in 1335, the palace is primarily the work of two Popes, Benedict XII and his successor, Clement VI. Today, their work is the biggest existing Gothic Palace in the world. It was truly beautiful! Also Part of our day was visiting the Legendary bridge. The bridge was built during the 12th century and was the only crossing point along the Rhone river, the natural boundary between the kingdom of France and the Holy Roman Germanic Empire. Legend has it that young Shepard Benezet heard divine voices instructing him to build the bridge. The bridge was destroyed by Louis VIII during the Albigensian Crusade, and was then rebuilt in the late 13th century. Raging flood waters damaged it, and it was definitively abandoned in the 17th century. Today there remain only 4 of the original 22 arches, and a lovely Romanesque chapel dedicated to the bridges patron saint. The famous song Sur le pont d'Avignon, which goes back to the 15th century is known the world over. Also very beautiful. What fun to be standing on such history.

Getting late we need to decide on dinner. I'm hooked now I just want a kebob! We get kebobs from our awesome kebob place and head back down to the bridge to enjoy our last beautiful evening in Avignon. The river was so still, the city looked so pretty at night with all the lights. Another moment I didn't want to end. All these beautiful places, I'm so lucky to have had the chance to see them with someone I love so much. On the way back we get a crepe and its off to bed. Tomorrow we head to Carcassonne another wall city!

Avignons Carousel

Lady of the house!

Master of the house!

Arches...

Birds eye view of Avignon, pretty isn't it?

A pottery market in the square

Paul on the famous bridge

Sleepy Paul...

Avignon and the Palace of the Pope's at night

The famous bridge at night

Monday May 29th, Off to Carcassonne...

Our famous bread with French mayo ham and Brie cheese sandwich. YUM!

It is time to say goodbye to Africa I mean Avignon. Today we leave for Carcassonne. This is going to be Paul's first time there so this time we are truly both tourists! I found out about Carcassonne from a friend who said I had to see it. After showing Paul pictures he was just as intrigued. We got into Carcassonne not knowing the town we tried to find a hotel. No luck at the first one totally booked. The girl at the counter was not of much help either. We decide to head towards the actual wall city to try and find something close to the city. We found it...right next to the city a three star hotel (moving up in the world). 85 euro a night for a regular room, 100 euro per night for a panoramic view. Pauls back killing him at this point I said screw lets do it. We pay the 85 euro per night and head to our room. Nice room TV, oh and look another bathtub :-)

We decide its time for another picnic. Off to Monoprix we go for all the componants for our famous sandwich. Picnic in tow we head up to Carcassonne for our first look at the mediaeval fortified town. We found a little bench next to a carousel right beside the city and sat down to a fabulous picnic. During our picnic we made friends with a husky. I have been teased by the beautiful walls enough lets go in! Here is where I made a big mistake. I was so excited to get inside and walk around that when Paul asked to stop off at the tourist office real quick I said lets just walk around for a minute and we'll come back. Of coarse I had no intention of upsetting him I was just excited I wanted to see the city. Well Paul is really big into the history aspect of things and he wanted to pick up some literature of the city so he would know what he was looking at. Understandable, I wish he would have told me that in the first place but truth is I should have just had the patience in the first place.

We took a walk around the inside of the city, I was starting to notice Paul was being distant and not as excited as I. That's when he told me he was upset that I wouldn't just wait one minute for him to go to the tourist office so he could get some history stuff. After a little while arguing we both apologized got over it and explored the outer walls. Wow! It was so beautiful as you can see by the pictures. Extremely windy though. We both were walking around trying to get into towers and stuff we shouldn't be in. It was great Paul was in heaven. We pick up a bottle of cheap wine made in Carcassonne and head back to the hotel.

We have a nice bath...before opening the wine :-) then open the wine and eat the rest of the cheese from our fabulous lunch. We decide to just stay in and relax for the night. "Stir of Echoes" was starting on TV. Totally in French we watched the whole thing. Paul having never seen it was trying to figure out what was going on. After the movie wow look at that, that STUFF is on TV again :-) Now 1:00 in the morning I notice a large black spot above the door...it's moving... Honey what's that? It looks like...yup it is, its a scorpion! Oh heck no! Stacy freaked! He was going to try and trap it or kill it and I said no you are going to call the front desk and make them get it! Off to the desk he goes and brings back this little guy with a broom claiming to be the scorpion killer. He starts batting at it and it crawls into the heating vent. U oh, do you want another room? YES!!! At this point I am in the middle of the bed making sure I had a sea of white sheets around me so I could see anything big and black crawling towards me. Paul of coarse is laughing hysterically at me. I got the last laugh I made him pack all his stuff and go to another room. But hey it was worth it, we got a upgrade to a panoramic room. Oooooo ahhhhh! Astonishingly I feel right asleep, Paul needed to read to calm down from all the excitement ;-) Tomorrow we head into the city for a real look at everything and do the touristy stuff.

Are you coming my lady!?

The walls of Carcassonne

The walls of Carcassonne

The Lady in her castle!

Something wicked this way comes...

Carcassonne at night

Tuesday May 30th, A day in Carcassonne...

After a exciting night with the scorpion and admittedly a slightly rough start yesterday, its time to explore Carcassonne at length! We started off the morning with breakfast, well lunch by this time at a great little cafe in the city. We decided to do some of the museums and attractions. We first did a tour of one of the cites castles. At 6.50 euro it wasn't really all that spectacular. A lot of information on the restoration of the city and a short film showing some of the movies filmed at Carcassonne including "Robin Hood Prince of thieves". I then wanted to go to the Musee de la Chevalerie. Not knowing what we were in for we paid 5.00 euro a piece and went in!

The museum ended up being a guided tour completely in French. We didn't understand 9/10s of what the guy was saying but he was so animated and obviously loved his job. We got a kick out of it! That is where I became princess and my knight...well I had a knight :-) Just to watch this crazy character made the money worth it! While wondering about town we took a peak at the Cathedral as well. Finally it was time for Stacy to shop! Which means time to drop Paul at the pub. I dropped him off with some money for beer and off I went! I found French soap, some lovely lavender sachets, a Carcassonne patch, some French poster notecards and some fabric to make myself a skirt. It was getting a bit late and chilly and it was time for dinner.

We went back to the hotel to get jackets and decided to head into town instead of going to the wall city to look for a bite to eat. It seemed as though the whole city rolls up the sidewalks early and goes home. On the hunt for pasta we managed to find a little Italian restaurant and figured mind as well nothing else seems open. Over a fabulous diner we had fun conversation. About Colins porn, Pauls college days and some other good laughs. All in all it was a Nice last meal to have in the Fabulous city of Carcassonne.

Back to the hotel Paul continues to read me more entries from the journal. I have been getting a good laugh out of hearing about his adventures. Suddenly...the lights go out! We start flicking switches, nothing. However; the lights in the hallway are on. "Your turn!", he tells me. Down to the front desk I go. Guess who is working? Our scorpion killer from the night before. "Another one?" (obviously he remembers me, can't imagine why). No, no I tell him our lights went out and he comes upstairs goes into a magic closet and the lights come back! Yeah!

Our lesson learned in Carcassonne: Stick with the one and two star hotels!

Tomorrow we head back to Nice for my last few days in France :-(

My prince and I!

Hellllooo anyone home?

Who turned out the lighs?

Can we live here?

Paul in Jail!

At least he has good company!

Wednesday May 31st, Back to Nice...

One last view of Carcassonne

God bless him Paul got up early again today to head to the train station and get our tickets back to Nice. Carcassonne was great! Not a place I would want to live like Lyon, but was still fun to visit. We get our things packed and I went to our little balcony to take in one last view of the city. Off to the train station we stop off at the station Cafe for a coffee. We would have to change trains in Marseille along the way. Well after like a half hour delay just sitting on the tracks...not moving at all, we pull into Marseille thinking for sure we had missed our connection. As luck would have it that train was departing late and we made it in time! As I'm always hungry, Paul ran for paninis. Love me, feed me, never leave me!

Here is where Paul learned a lesson. Remember him cursing me with a screaming baby on my flight? Tehehe :-) we were blessed with a little one that wouldn't sit still constantly annoying us, well him, I slept! His poor back having it at this point the kid just put him over the top. It's kind of chilly out and pretty overcast right now. Hope it's nice tomorrow we want to go to the beach! The rain was actually very reflective of my mood. I was starting to come down. I didn't want to go back because that meant I had to leave soon. We got into town and got a room for the last two nights. It's cold...I put on white socks and sandal's which of coarse Paul had to make fun of.

Hungry again!!! We set out for a kebob. Found one, not as good as Avignon. Back to the Irish pub for that fabulous 1664 Blanc. The Switzerland vs Italy warm up game is on. I bet on the Swiss Paul on the Italians. This game was nothing but diving donkeys! Not very friendly at all! Ended in a draw so no money gained or lost. Good night all in all. Drinking, football, kebob, what more do you need.

Thursday June 1st, One last day in France

The beach in Nice

It was unfortunately time to take care of some business. We headed to a laundry mat to get Pauls laundry done before he moves on to Italy. While that's in the works we head around the corner to a internet cafe to get all our pictures sorted out. Still can't get used to these keyboards in France. After giving Paul a hard time about the contents of his picture folder we head back to get the Laundry. Still not done we head to the shop for me to pick up some last minute things. I had been trying to get him to dump the backpack and get something on wheels because his back was wrecked. I bought him a nice big duffel bag on wheels and I picked up some last minute gifts.

Our original plan today was to head to Cannes and get on the beach now that the film festival is over. Trains aren't running there till later which wouldn't give much beach time. So we head out for a proper petit dejeuner (breakfast) and decided to just do the beach in Nice. From there we were on a mission...sandy beach. Paul's toes are to gentle for these rocky beaches. We head to the waterfront and walk along the water looking for sand. We walked, and walked and walked. Times up! No sand in site we pick a little spot and land. Paul went for a little swim and I got my feet wet. We both lied down to try and get some sun. Yes I finally did it! With Pauls permission (I wouldn't have done it otherwise) I went topless! Hey, when in France do as the French do! Feels a bit weird knowing I'm not going to get in trouble with the law this time. Paul sat and worked on his journal entries a little more. I think he was actually standing guard as his girlfriend topless for everyone to see. It started to get chilly so we head out and get ready to head to Cannes one last time.

We missed the sunset I was so upset. I wanted to make up for the sunset I had ruined earlier in the trip because I knew it ws very important to him. I looks like it will have to happen another time. We head to the beach to see Cannes for real this time without all the hustle and bustle of the festival. It's quite. Still some of the tents and stuff up but for the most part very quite. I didn't really want to go to the pub or anything. I was being greedy at this point, I just wanted to take a last look at the place he loves so much and have him hold me. We found a little spot on the beach and sat and listened to the water and watched the lights on the mountain leading up to all the little villas and houses. I was truly beautiful. I tried to take a mental picture so that the moment would always be there...

My last thing I wanted before leaving was another Nutella Crepe! All over Cannes late at night needing to get back to our train. We finally find a place and get a chocolate crepe. It's not the same as that one in Avignon. That guy made the BEST crepe. But still good none the less. The train ride home was pretty silent reality was setting in that tomorrow I leave. We started to talk about what was to happen next. I came to realize after our conversation that everything was going to be ok. He feels the same way as I do about everything. I was going to go home and bust my butt to take care of my debts and be ready for the next step, and he was going to finish out his big adventure. But in the end we both want to see this work. Back to the hotel to spend one last night in the arms of my love.

Friday June, 2nd Time to go...

The alarm went off this morning at 6:00. No it can't be! It can't be time to go already. He hit the snooze. Neither of us is ready to let go. Just a few more minutes to hold each other. Reality stinks. We get up I pack the last of my stuff and we head to the train station to catch a cab. Look at that a nice little Mercedes is waiting just for me. I was going to leave in style. After fearing for my life in that cab we get to the airport and get me checked in. The girl out the counter isn't very helpful with my connecting flight, already I'm worried about my connection in Germany. We go to Paul's Cafe (yes the cafe was called Paul's) and get a cafe. He asked if I was hungry and I said no. Truth is I was feeling very sick to my stomach. I thought I was going to get sick. We have a seat and Paul begins reading the last few entries in his journal.

The first he read was that of the day before I was to get to France. Funny how we both had the same thoughts and fears of what was to happen. He was just as worried as me about whether or not things will have changed. I think we have figured out at this point...Nothing has changed. Paul is just on a long vacation and in the end we will figure out the next step. He then read the entries he had done from our first few days together in France. Cheered me up a bit but deep down I was still screaming.

Time to get in the que to go through security. Still not ready to let go he even gets in the cue with me. Yes I am in tears. The past few days have been the best time of my life. Now I have to leave him not having a clue when I will see him again. He finally has to duck out of the cue but sits there watching me. I know everything is going to be ok, but I can't help but worry that this is the last time I am ever going to see him. He pulls out his phone and starts typing something. I am just about out of view. I watch he get on the escalator and he is gone. I check my phone, 1 text message. "I will c u soon. Love u." Just what I needed to hear. I think it's best to end this day at that. Because everything after that sucks!

Twas the Night before France...

Well this was the big night! Saturday, the day before leaving for France. My nerves a mess of coarse right now and so excited I have to sit on my hands to keep from clapping! Nothing was going to bring me down tonight. I came in to a empty restaurant. I mean not a soul! But I was ready to have fun no matter what! I put together a lovely music selection that my regulars were going to hate :-). Comprised of Bagpipes, French rap and some other misc. stuff. I was going to have fun! The first costume I wore was a blend of two costumes! Red, blue and silver. No it was not a early fourth of July I was trying for the French flag. Looks pretty good I think! The place didn't stay empty for long. All my regulars showed up to wish me Bon Voyage! Next I went with the vintage look, this costume was made in the 1950's in Argentina for a stage show. It's my new favorite! And while showing a new costume how about some new tricks huh? Tonight was the night to show glass's. It went off well nothing broke be it me or the glass's. Great night all in all. Tomorrow is the big day...I'm so nervous, I miss him so much what if things have changed what if he tells me after France it's over. A million thoughts running through my head. I don't care I love him I miss him I can't wait!!!!! OFF TO FRANCE!

New tricks!

New costume!