In my craziest dreams, I never thought I'd be living like I am. Yet, here I am, sunburnt by the Mediterranean sun after spending the day in Monte Carlo, Monaco. I'm not a gambler, nor Formula 1 fan, but I do like the idea of seeing castles, casinos and how the rich live.
I am using the opportunity of spending a week in Nice with my dear ex husband, who is working on the Olympics. He graciously agreed to me popping over from the UK to experience the French Riviera. Having lived most of my adult life on the bottom of Africa, it's strange having the opportunity to nip across to different countries like I have now. But cheap air travel makes it easier than getting a train ticket from London to Scotland! I had to take advantage of Nic's kindness and see this area for myself.
I visited Old Town Nice, yesterday and saw how the promenade is readying itself for the Tour De France final at the weekend. Holiday makers were on the beaches and swimming in the turquoise waters of the warm sea, ignoring the painful pebbles on the beach. I am a bit of a fusspot when it comes to swimming and I'm not really a beach fan, however I thought I had to dip my toes in the Mediterranean sea at least once in my life. Well, after realising how agonizing the pebbles are on my sensitive delicate feet and having noone to shout for help, I managed to crawl back to my bag and hauled myself to the local indoor swimming pool to cool down.
Today, in Monaco, I floated on my back in the Salt water swimming pool, the Stade Nautique Ranier 111, which becomes an ice rink at Christmas time and marvelled at my great 'fortune'. Huge luxury yachts floated on the nearby Marina and the thousands of apartment windows looked down at me and I smiled. My life has become a scene from postcards and jigsaw puzzles and I'm feeling immensely grateful. My mid-life gap year has stretched into this three year marvel and I'm truly living my best life. I want to say 'dreams do come true' but I never allowed myself to dream this big!
I think I had a limit on what was possible for me. With small funds and sketchy career skills, I had no inkling that I'd be visiting cemeteries and archeological sites on top of a hill, Colline du Château in the South of France, one day. There's still a part of me that doesn't quite believe it all.
Last week I was in London, after Prague, Vienna and Munich. It sounds almost impossible but I have the (thousands) photos to prove it to myself. When I scroll through my pictures, I can feel myself ask 'was I really there?'
Yip, I was/am.
I still have more days to come, plus a friend has invited me to Budapest in September! I know that I am an extremely lucky woman and I'm appreciating every moment of it!
Comments