Time flies!

Bonjour, mes amis!

It's been a little over two weeks already since I stepped foot in France - hard to believe how quickly the time is passing.  Once Monday morning arrived and I started school I haven't had much more than 5 minutes to breathe..!  But it's been good.  The classes in French are literally all day every day five days a week, so it doesn't leave you with a lot of time on your hands.  Inbetween going to class and doing my homework I have been trying to fit in seeing a few places here.  Have been into Nice several times - that's where you go to primarily shop and get errands done.  But, finally, yesterday I had a chance to actually do some sightseeing.  Rosie, the loveliest New Zealand romance writer ever, and I managed to get to Eze and also the Villa de Ephrussi Rothschild in Beaulieu.  Both of them unique places to visit in very different ways.

The weather was slightly shy of horrible for much of the day, but we managed to eke out a wonderfully adventurous day and I can scratch these places off my list now!  Sorry - you will have to check my facebook site for pictures - having some issues figuring out how to post pictures on this blog...

https://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.bier.5

Today I am off to the Musee de Marc Chagall in Nice with another friend who writes the most wonderful blog called French Letters on Wordpress.  It's definitely worth checking out - she is quite unique in her own rights and has an interesting story to tell.  Honestly, the people I am in school with are all so unique and interesting I wouldn't even know where to begin to tell you about them.  But, suffice it to say, this is the most fascinating adventure I think I've ever had.  I have met people from all over the world here, a very eclectic bunch I might add.  But, my favorites are the girls from Australia and New Zealand who are an absolute hoot.  I might just have to move Australia and New Zealand closer to the top of the bucket list.

Anyway, have to run - I'll keep you posted.

Villefranche-sûr-Mer at last!

I arrived in Villefranche-sûr-Mer finally this afternoon.  It is absolutely stunning here!  Everything I'd hoped for and more.  Seriously,  the French Riviera is all it's cracked up to be and lives up to it's reputation.  I have barely been here for just a few hours but everything about this area is jaw dropping.  I made it to my hotel, La Regence after a long night and day of travel.  It's so French!  The hostess at the hotel barely speaks English, so I had to dive right in, and didn't do too bad.  I slept almost the entire flight so I wasn't totally exhausted and walked down to the "Vielle Ville" literally steps away from the quintessentially french waterfront - quaint little boats tied up to moorings, locals out walking their dogs, young couples hand in hand walking - you get the picture!  Stopped by the Welcome Hotel bar and am sitting outside listening to a fabulous pianist play the standards.   It's like I died and went to Heaven!

Anyway, more to follow - just wanted to let you know I arrived safe and sound and didn't even lose anything along the way!  That's a first!

Leaving on a jet plane! ✈️

Well, next week I leave for France! Ooh la la!  I will be immersing myself in French for a month at L'Institut de Français in Villefranche-sûr-Mer in the south of France, 2 miles east of Nice. After studying French in Atlanta at Alliance Française for 3 years now, it's time to step it up and see if actually living and going to school in France can help to improve my language skills.  After my month at school I leave for both Aix-en-Provence and Paris.  My daughter, Maxine, will meet me in Aix and then we'll move on to Paris to spend a few days culminating in New Years Eve. We'll leave to come home New Years Day!  I hope to keep everyone posted on my blog and will let you know how things are going.  So exciting!

The other big news is my daughter, Jennifer, is now engaged to Mark Alterman, who Alan and I love❤️.  Mark is a mensch and we are happy to have him join us formally in the family.  Mark is an Atlantan native - his family is well known throughout Atlanta in the business community.  He is a realtor and builder.  They are currently living in Denver, where Jenn is in a veterinary dental residency at East Alameda Animal Hospital, the place where Animal Planet's program, Animal ER, was filmed!  They love living out there.  Mark graduated from college at the University of Colorado in Fort Collins, so he knows his way around there.  They have a season ski pass and are ready to go.  Last weekend they skiied ABasin and had a blast.  Alan and I would like to go and visit to try skiing again, but not sure if that is a good idea!

Jenn and Mark are in town this week and we are formally celebrating their engagement with a dinner party with our two families this Saturday.  So wonderful!

All good stuff - I'll keep you all posted on France