Nice is Nice, Firenze is Fabulous!

Bonjour & Bongiorno!

First and foremost, HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!!

Second, a quick belated birthday shout out to my girl Amy Brown- I hope you had a wonderful 22nd!

The past 6 days or so have been spent in Nice, France and Firenze (Florence), Italy. I was in Nice, a spectacular town along the French Riviera, for about 3 days. What can I say? It was absolutely a joy to be there. I'm pretty sure the rest of France is nothing like that, but boy, oh, boy...it was a vacation spot like none other! When I arrived in Nice at 8 pm on the first day, I was exhausted but I came just in time for the sun to set. I got settled into my first room and realized I had only one roommate, so I silently muttered, "Please God, let her be cool."

I left the room and treated myself to a delicious Margarita pizza and a tomato and basil salad, and then I went back to the hostel...but as I was on my way up to my room, I glanced back at a TV screen that was on in the lobby and it was the Eurocup final with Spain. So obviously, I had to stop and watch it because of the craziness that I experienced in Madrid and Barcelona. As I watched, the guy standing next to me introduced himself and we got to talking. Turns out he's from South Africa, which is pretty random and crazy. Soon enough, the girls next to him started talking to us, arguing about whether the US pastime was baseball or football. I personally think football might be our nation's sport, but baseball is forever our pastime. You can disagree if you want, but basically, I'm right!

Anyway, it turns out one of the girls was my roommate. Her name is Maddie, and she IS really cool. Prayer #7423529...ANSWERED! We winded up all hanging out in the common area which was literally called " The Chill Out Room". Then, we went out to some Irish pub by the beach, which made me reminisce about times at O'Reilley's in Fiji, except with an Irish cover band instead of Jamaican-sounding remixes of American pop songs (Shout out to Team Fiji '07, I miss you all more than I can say). It was a blast, and as I looked up in the middle of the ranting amongst my new friends, I saw the most beautiful sight: it was the hills surrounding the beach area, all lit up with waterfalls cascading down the sides of it. It was astounding, largely because I didn't expect to see something like that at all. I just stood there for a minute, and it hit me like a cement brick... I was in NICE. Ever since I was like 12, I wanted to come to Nice. I don't exactly know why...I think I saw it in a movie or something. I was living the dream!! It was a special moment for me, and surrounded by my smiling new posse of friends, I felt on top of the world.

The next day got even better, as Maddie, my South African buddy Dylan, and our other new found friends Natalie, Kevin, and Dave all went to explore Monaco. YES, THE Monaco!, like where James Bond kicked it in the Casino Royale, and where the Queen of Monaco lives. It was absolutely ridiculous. If you've ever been to Martha's Vineyard, the Hamptons, or Beverly Hills...multiply the disgusting display of wealth by 5 and you've got Monaco. Home of gold plated boats and ridiculously fast Ferraris, there I was happy as a clam. I bought this ridiculously fancy and unnecessary, but gorgeous white strapless dress in London because it was a true bargain. The minute I bought it, I realized I was going to be lugging it around Europe with me because of my foolish impulsiveness. But, let me just tell you...I felt relieved to have a nice dress on hand that day.

On my last day in Nice, I went to the beach with Natalie, who winded up being a friend I hope to keep in touch with for years to come. It's funny- I'm never the first one in the water at the beach, but the minute I'm in, it's near IMPOSSIBLE to get me out! I did, unfortunately lose my first- and what I hope to be my last- item on this trip when I got in the water...my precious, precious sunglasses. I'll just suck it up and consider it a worthy sacrifice to the sun gods that were shining down on me that day.

That night, I was checking emails at the hostel and these two Canadian guys were next to me singing "It's yourrrr thaaaaang! Do whatcha wanna doooo!", and arguing about Canadian sports- which are erroneous anyway- but it was hilarious. Me, another girl, and the two Canadians got to talking and they invited us out to a bar, but when we went to go meet them, the bar was already closed, so me and the other girl winded up just going downtown by the beach and went to some crazy club/ pub called Wayne's where everyone dances on the tables and chairs...pretty fun. Some girl started talking to us and it turns out she was backpacking as well, but got discovered singing at an open mic a few months back and has been singing private gigs in Nice ever since. Isn't that crazy how life works out? We bonded over her and I having done Canadian Idol and American Idol, respectively, and she winded up giving me really great life advice to add to my collection...." Life is not as serious as we make it out to be. Be Happy!"

On our way back to the hostel that night, Rachel- the girl I went out with that night- and I got into a conversation about our travels and reasons for leaving home for a bit. If you can't already tell, it's been a common and thoroughly interesting conversation topic on this trip. Rachel is a 25-year-old Aussie who got tired of her job and decided to move to London for a year to work at a youth hostel there. Now, she is traveling through Europe until she feels like not traveling anymore, and she's working along the way whenever she needs to. I really, really admire this. People don't fully realize how gutsy it is to just take off with no plan like that. A lot call it irresponsible and nontraditional, but so what? It's one of the hardest and most rewarding things an individual can do, and I don't think people should ever be put down for doing it just because it's less common.

After talking to her, I realized that the expectation to follow a certain path in life can be absolutely stifling. We are taught that we have to work hard, get married, have kids, not get divorced, make money, etc. We are sent so many messages from a very young age about the "right" way to live, but there is no such thing! These pressures are often facades that hide the beauty of reality. It becomes difficult to distinguish between pressures and true personal desires because they become so intertwined. But when we learn to tell the difference, there is comfort in knowing that we have all we need to build the life we want...to choose what is right for us and what isn't, regardless of how others perceive the choices we make. To be able to choose freely is most certainly a privilege. And because I am blessed enough to have it, I feel obligated not to waste it by always doing what others tell me I should when I know in my heart it isn't the right choice for me.

So while others might think it's foolish to spend only 3 days in Nice, I say let's move on to Florence! After an insanely long day on the trains, I finally arrived at my hostel in Italy, which let me just tell you...is PIMPED out. This place has a pool, a deck terrace, two bars, pool tables, a gym, AIR CONDITIONED rooms!, and a dance floor. It was absolutely insane how nice it was. The only thing better that awaited me than all of these delightful amenities was my college roommate Maddy!!!! Her and I will be traveling around Italy and Greece for the next week or so. Whenever her and I are together, we always have insane stories to tell, so the next few weeks should be interesting...

After I settled in, Maddy and I went out to eat at some hidden restaurant that our new friends Nathan and Matt took us to. Nathan studied abroad in Florence last year, so we got the scoop on all of the best places to go. I don't know what they do to make their pasta, pizza, balsamic vinegar, wine, gelato....pretty much everything....so much better, but if I could just bring back that entire restaurant with me to New York, I would be set. When we got back to the hostel, Nathan took me up to see the roof at midnight, and I wasn't expecting much...but the view made my knees weak. Off in the distance was the Duomo, the hills surrounding Italy, the people walking on the tiny streets below, and the sky full of stars above. I wanted to capture that moment so I tried to take pictures, but of course they didn't come out. I knew that it wasn't a moment I could have captured on film, so I closed my eyes and tried my best to retain that feeling of sheer amazement at how small I am, but how big and magnificent the world I am a part of is. I hope I remember that moment for the rest of my life.

Over the next two days, Maddy and I saw all the sights- browsed the gold shops along Ponte Vecchio, waited on line for two hours to see Michelangelo's David, had our fair share of gelato, climbed up to the most magnificent view at Piazza Michelangelo, and I proudly bargained down a guy for a souvenir...30% off. Those are my Chinatown negotiating skills right there! Another funny thing- as I was leaving my hostel, I bumped into my roommate Maddie from Nice! As I introduced her, I said this is my roommate Maddie...and realized that both of them were my roommates and both of them were Maddie/Maddy's! hahaha. Oh- and when I was in the Duomo, I bumped into a guy I met on a train in Monaco... it is such a small world!

Last night, Maddy and I met 3 Brazilian guys who were staying in our room; they winded up getting trashed and...let's just say they lived up to the Brazilian male stereotype. Quite interesting company, but it was a night for the storybooks. Maddy and I found a club called "Central Park" and wanted to go because we thought it would be funny to be able to tell people that we rang in our first July 4th outside the states while sipping on American beers at Central Park. But alas, it wasn't in the cards for us because we couldn't convince the Brazilian guys that unlike back home for them, the party ends (not starts) at 3 am.


I've realized a few things in the past week. First, after hanging out with almost a dozen new people, I realized that there are people in this world who we meet and instantly click with. It feels as if we've known them forever and an unspoken understanding exists about each other. These are the kinds of people you can be completely silent with, and still feel utterly comfortable. Then, there are people who you just, for whatever reason, don't mesh with at all. They make you uncomfortable, misunderstanding is at an all-time high around them, and you just don't feel like your best self. I have this thing about wanting to be friends with everyone, but I am realizing that it's not really possible, let alone worth it, to make that a goal.

There are so many fabulous people that we click with from the moment we meet them. These people are precious, and when we find them- whether they be friends, significant others, business partners...whatever- we should hold them close to us. These are the people that will light up our lives with sunshine, stories, and smiles. Ironically, we have to be able to fill our own lives with happiness before we can attract others to us that will add to it.

People often say that we should never need another person to be complete. In a way, I think this is the worst piece of advice ever. Of course we need other people to be complete! The people in our lives...friends, family, etc...they are all a reflection of who we are. They shape you, you shape them, and your life is much more precious because they are in it. It would be great if the above advice were true, because it would mean that we could be perfectly happy without getting hurt by others. But to be a guarded individual and not be open to love and friendship....it's the surest way to close ourselves off to a life of true happiness.

The last notable point is this: I saw many beautiful things in Florence. It was 10 Euros to see the statue of David. It was 6 Euros to climb to the top of the Duomo. It was free to view Florence from Piazza Michelangelo.

There is nothing like being in the presence of absolute greatness, which is what the Academia housed- some of the best artwork in the world. But the view from the Duomo, which was cheaper, was absolutely breathtaking (both figuratively and literally....450-something steps to the top). you could see all of Florence from there. Unlike artwork, which you can see a picture of and it looks pretty much the same in person, absolutely nothing compares to the top of the Duomo. No picture can capture that. But what I enjoyed even more than the Duomo was the view from Piazza Michelangelo. The Duomo was crowded and touristy and sweaty. The piazza was quiet, and astounding, and natural. The peace of mind I found there was a joy, and I could have easily sat up on that balcony for hours just listening to tunes and writing.

What I realized is that there is a price to pay for absolutely everything, whether it be money, time or energy. But when it comes to money, price isn't always the best indicator of worth. In my experience, the best things in life are monetarily free. Finding a hidden spot high above a city where you have the opportunity to take life in; stolen glances from a stranger that for whatever reason, makes you smile for hours; looking up at the stars with a new friend; laughing with an old one; breathing in, breathing out.

A lot of money cannot buy you a good life. But a lot of appreciation can.

Hope this email finds you all well. Happy 4th!

Love life,

Melissa


Observations:
1. They serve McCroques at McDonald's in France....made me think a lot about the McDonald's marketing plan and the genius-ness of it. We may grimace at the thought of McDonald's taking over the world, but we should look a little closer. If we do, the psychology of human consumerism and brand recognition as a form of personal comfort becomes astonishingly clear.

2. Italians are big on leather, but people don't realize that most of it sold here was made in China and stamped with an Italian seal while coming through customs. If you are interested, look up all of the ways you spot an authentic Italian leather item.

3. Even when I met an Italians who spoke English well, cultural difference was still blatantly obvious.

4. You need to hand in your passport to use any public computer in Italy!

5. Wine is cheaper than water here...a Hamilton student's dream.





Trip Stats:
Days: 18
Roommates: 39

I found a ridiculously overpriced, but well worth it jar of Skippy, so we are back in business with the PB & J stat!: ...It's up to 7 PB & J's consumed thus far.

Local Life Lesson:
"Write your own songs." - A friend made in Nice, France. The advice is symbolic...interpret it as you wish.

Jukebox: "Follow" - Richie Havens

Random Thought:
I don't know how God would feel about people charging to get into a church...

Quotable:
Maddy knows of my intensely limited budget on this trip, so after waking up at noon- about 3 hours later than we planned, she says: "Well look on the bright side- that's one less meal we have to pay for!" hahahahaha. Love you, Maddy.


Overheard:
A girl who looked to be about 9 years old eating lunch with her dad: " When I become president, I am going to put a limit on how many Pepsi people drink so people don't get unhealthy. No more than 5 cups a day!"

Father: "But most people don't drink more than 5, so the law would be useless."

Daughter: "Ok, four then."

Father: "Most people don't drink four, either."

Daughter: "Ok, fine Three! But that's it- no more than three!"