Viva la différance

     My experiences in Monte Carlo vary from one end of the spectrum to the other. . Living in arguably the best building in Monaco, right at the beach with our own pool, restaurant and seemingly bus stop.  Other tenants here, past and present include include Ringo Starr, Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg, David Copperfield, Claudia Schifffer, Roger Nadal to name a few.  I think basically IF you can afford to live here, you would.   The sights and sounds are non stop pleasure; exciting, enjoyable, surprising and in "the center" of it all.  Walk out the door and find yourself in the jewel of The Cote d Azure, THE playground of the Very Rich and Famous. What's not so obvious is that Monaco is a wonderful village, a small group of incredible people that live here year round. #Blessed

At the other end of the spectrum, less than 1/2 mile away is the flat I rented in Roquebrune, while I looked for a Monaco apartment.  I was in a bit of a hurry to find "a bed" that matched my arrival date.  Several that I had decided would be fine have quadrupled their prices due to the upcoming Yacht Show. My preference was the building where many of my friends live, The Bahia. Literally right across the street from the beach I use at sunrise every day. My friend Henri, pays 1400 per month. He has been there 20+ years.  I found a sublet in Bahia....   The non negotiable price was 1500, PER WEEK!  

     So I find myself in a building called The Beach (which is  no where near the beach) This is a flat owned by a friend and has not been occupied in, her words, a long time.  It has the necessities and is almost adequate. I say almost because it sits 3 floors above the second busiest route into Monaco.  Sleep is virtually impossible.  Ferraris, Harleys and tens of thousands of noisy scooters pass thru this "tunnel of apartments" providing a noise level that is usually near that of a rock concert, but a times louder, 24 hours a day.  I have been here a week and the only sleep I really get is on the real beach after my swim but before the sun becomes intense.  If it weren't for sleeping pills, any sleep or nap here would last less than about 12 minutes.  I of course will not take them nightly, but when I am truly exhausted, I do and then deal with the "hangover" they give the next day.  

     

    

     For the last six years, I found my perfect apartment!  Five minutes to the beach with an amazing view! 

  I am not in any way "gloating" about Roccabella days with Dad and Ann, nor am I crying about my time here at "The Beach" apartments.  I am merely pointing out (maybe to myself) that it is impossible to broaden your perspective if you remain standing in one place.  If you walk to the ends of what's out there....   well your perspective now has perspective?

No matter the place I lay my head to sleep, Monaco is the best place to be in my opinion!  The people, the restaurants, the entertainment, the ARTS!  No place like it, thank you ....  

Follow that voice inside you....

Born, Albion Michigan,12/29/1950  ~   Fell in love with forests and endless cornfields.  Saw Lake Waskeegan and liked it!  Then a river or two ~ Lake Michigan, then ~ The Atlantic, The Pacific ~  Sea of Cortez.....

     Always make time to spend with your inner child ~ this will continue to take you to the most amazing places!   

Well there you have it !!! Just turned in the Internet and TV boxes to Xfinity and as of tomorrow morning I am, again homeless. When Ann was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, I decided to spend half of my time in Monaco with both Ann and Dad. One of the greatest treasures I have in my life is remembering when Dad told me, "You made her smile every day, thank you." Over the last few years I spent a lot of time with Dad Julie. Every 90 days I would pick someplace to go for two weeks.  The last eight years have been quite an adventure…. Bangkok, Phuket, Barcelona, Valencia, Lisbon, Rome, Sicily, Bali, Croatia, Paris, Montenegro, Monaco, Finland, Madrid,  Prague, Istanbul, Budapest, Bucharest, Greek islands and of course Russia!

      After each of these trips, come back here to Dad's, Sharing of my excitement and happiness was fun for us both . I believe the planning for these trips, taking these trips, the face timing and the photos actually added to Dad's last few years. He got a kick out of Irina's FaceTime's each day from Siberia telling him good morning Mr. Lonergan, you look wonderful today! The chocolates she would send him from Russia and the honey she always gets for Julie he very much appreciated. Since he had already been every place I was going except Russia… He was eager to tell me, you must try this place… Have you done this yet? While I never thought I was giving up anything by making the choice to be with both Dad and Ann, I don't think I fully appreciated how much it was doing for me!

      I now sit, car packed with the load of clothing going to storage in Reno and feel a bit lost if that makes any sense. I have indeed had a most fortunate and blessed life and I am eternally grateful. I always have and will continue to try to pay it forward. Now the next phase begins, and I have no idea where it will take me, what I'll do... This kind of freedom is daunting. I still have an embarrassment of riches with Kelly and Chad, Luke Nicole and Ella, Irina and of course Julie, Jeff and Greg. And of course you my Facebook family are my social anchor and for that I'm grateful as well. I have always tried to live my life leaving no damage in my wake and for this I seem to have a planet, littered with friends near and far.#ubergrateful. So friends, keep the light on… You never know when I might drop bye!

 He brought this home, so pleased that everyone gets an end!

Fish and Veggie Market, Ventimiglia, Italy. Our favorite shopping trip! 

swimming

Someone had a post about swimming in the Oceans and I got to thinking ~ I have swum in The Atlantic Ocean, The Pacific Ocean, The Mediterranian Sea, The Ligurian Sea, The Sea of Cortez, The Caribbean, The Gulf of Mexico, The South Pacific and within 3 weeks, The Persian Gulf and The South China Sea. Ya, I like swimming!  Don't get me started on rivers.  WATER the origin of everything.

Bucharest, Romania ~ 2015 ~ Olesea

       On this version of my homeless man's world tour I was fortunate enough to meet an old friend, Olesea in Bucharest. An "Old Friend" with whom marriage was discussed 8 years ago. We talked and agreed that if neither of us found a suitable spouse in 5 years, we would marry based upon our feelings for each other. She actually became quite upset with me when I didn't show up in Bucharest on the date and we stopped talking for a long while. Turns out that now, neither of us wants a spouse!      It was wonderful to see her again and to learn how her life has blossomed.  With 2 children she absolutely adores and a upcoming singing career, she still amazes me!  Originally from Moldivia, educated in Yaroslav, Russia (MBA in Marketing) and now living in Bucharest. Her visits to Monaco were all to brief all those years ago.   We have remained in contact for over 15 years now... I am thankful for that.  It's wonderful to see those you care for find happiness and success in their lives.

 

     MY first visit to Bucharest was very interesting!   Bucharest was first mentioned in documents in 1459. It became the capital of Romania in 1862 and is the center of Romanian media, culture and art. Its architecture is a mix of Historical, Art Deco, communist-era and modern. . In the period between the two World Wars, the city's elegant architecture and the sophistication of its elite earned Bucharest the nickname of "Little Paris." Although buildings and districts in the historic city center were heavily damaged or destroyed by war, earthquakes,many are still here. Some you will see below from my brief 3 days there.....

Greek Islands!

Decided 2015 was the year to Visit The Greek Islands of Santorini, Mykonos and Rhodes. Having been on the Crystal Serenity 2 previous times, I booked a room, smaller than previous trips when I roomed with Dad. I booked an economical cabin without a balcony.  Crystal, a few days before my departure, upgraded me @ NC to our old room!  Good beginning!

My Coffee awaited me every morning at 5AM!  

        The food is incredible and I tried not to gain what is called "The Crystal 10" on this trip.

 The Island Adventures I choose were the "standard tour" combined with a Jeep off road adventure on Rhodes, where we went to the top of the island!

    After our mountain climbing, which was fun.....a swim in The Med!