In love with Menton

My Mom once told me that you can’t love something that can’t love you back. I suppose to a certain degree this is true. We’ve all made fools out of ourselves for love, after all.

The village of Menton, though – well for me, that may be an exception to the rule.

Here, the sun shines differently. Colours are brighter and the air is so very clean, clear and fresh. Not unlike Elora, too – it’s a very real place. I think part of the charm of Elora is the fact that it’s a REAL town. People shop in the downtown, buy their groceries there, have their lawyer there, use the local bank, etc… and that’s the same in Menton, too.

While less than 20 minutes form the heart of Monaco/Monte Carlo – which I love – it is just so much more real. If you will, Monte Carlo is, well, a little plastic (including some of the people!). Don’t get me wrong – there is a reason that it’s the millionaire’s playground – fine restaurants and shopping, one of the world’s finest casinos, tax-free living, not to mention the weather! But here in Menton, the pace of life is slower, more gentile, less rushed. Guide books often describe my little village as sedate. That’s okay by me. I don’t need to be kept up all night by boozing and partiers on my block. Right now I’m blogging after 10pm and all I can hear is the crashing of the waves on the shore and the eternal croaking of the cicadas calling out in the night (they sound like giant frogs).

Unfortunately, Paul had a vertigo attack last night (for those who don’t know, he’s prone to them) so today was a bit rough for him. I ended up abandoning him thisaft in favour of some sunshine on the roof-top terrace, while he stayed at home and got some rest.

Tomorrow is Good Friday. In a nation as Catholic as France, I’m anticipating almost everything being closed. But that being said - -the village is almost abandoned tonight (which is a huge surprise, most Italians flock here on long week ends) and NONE of the stores have any signs posted about being closed tomorrow. I think it’s funny if everyone’s off tomorrow at home and it’s just another day here!

I don't know if there is something wrong with the videos. they play fine on my camera and on my computer - but the thumbnails look funny when i load them up to the blog. Oh well, C'est la vie!

Today saw clear skies and strong winds with a high of 22C. Another gorgeous day in the French Riviera!