monaco dreams

During one of my days in Nice, I took the quick train ride along the French Riviera to Monaco to spend a day there-- I was ready to visit little shops, enjoy the sunlit coastal views, and get my passport stamped. Even though I was traveling alone, this faux-itinerary seemed like the ideal way to experience the little country.

And when I got there everything was closed. I didn't realize that on Sundays, everything (including the casino where they stamp your passport) is closed. To top it off it was overcast. Knowing absolutely no French, I was left to exploring the city by foot and trying to make the best of my day despite the mini setbacks.

These past few days have felt a lot like Monaco-- and to be honest the next few days don't seem likely to brighten up. In fact, March has been pretty dreary and it's only half-way over. I'm back to traveling alone in a foreign country with nothing seeming to go right.

But today-- a year later-- Monaco seems different. As I went through the photos to put this post together I realized that Monaco wasn't a bust at all. Sure, it didn't work out the way I'd planned but just being there was beautiful on its own. The luxurious streets, the tiny markets, and the abundance of tulips really made the day trip memorable. Now, if I can just find those kinds of little treasures, March might become my own little Monaco.