The True Identity of the Man in the Iron Mask

So....sorry to Mom and Ray, but I did not make it to Lyon this past weekend. The train station was packed and I didn't feel like traveling by myself for 5 hours there and 5 more hours back in two days for the high price. All this means is that I will have to come back to France. Instead of Lyon.....I went with the school to Cannes!! It was only 30 Euros for all Saturday in Cannes and it was amazing!!! We took the train and it was about a 45 minute ride. I went with my two cute friends: Tamara from Australia and Solveij from Norway. We had a great time comparing our different countries. Solveij tried to convince me how the metric system was superior and I kept telling her I agreed but that it just didn't make sense in my had as I wasn't used to it. Solveij has perfect English, but she laughs each time that Tamara and I can't understand each other. For example, Tamara asked me if I brought my swimmers in my backpack. I looked at her weird and it took me a while to realize she meant bathing suit. Her pronunciation of certain words confused me too like basil and garage. We all three had such a fun time on the trip over.

When we got there, we went to see some nice churches and museums. We walked up a hill to see the view and of course I took a picture. All the amazing views are starting to look the same, though, so one picture of yachts, sea and little cottages is becoming like the next. My favorite part was when we took a ferry over to the Marguerite Island. That is where the Man in the Iron Mask was emprisonned for over 11 years. Our guide told us the story of this mysterious figure as we rode over. We know that he existed, but his identity remains still a mystery. We know he had royal roots because he was allowed a violin in his cell and some other royal treatments, but he did have to wear this heavy iron mask. Many authors over the years have speculated that it was Louis XIV's twin brother or even his older brother and their mother hid him so that Louis XIV would rule without question. It was very sobering to enter into his little cell where he lived those long 11 years. Can you believe that there was a group of 15 high school students from Pennsylvania who were with us and all but one student wanted to sit on the beach instead of hike up to see the Prison? I can't believe how lazy some of these students are!! Their parents pay for the trip and all they want to do is relax all day on the beach!!! After the trip to the Island, we were on our own to explore the city of Cannes. I took some pictures of me on the body of Charlie's Angels and on the Red Carpet. We went into the little shops, but a pair of sandals was 300 Euros minimum--out of my price range.

When it was time to walk back to the Train Station to come back to Nice, we saw all these people running out, coughing. I got scared for a second....A guy had sprayed pepper spray for no reason. I drank some water and didn't feel much, but then it was time to get our train and the same guy ran by, spraying pepper spray again and laughing, covering his nose!! Can you believe it? The poor high school students were panicked. Luckily, the effects went away, but it was annoying and I thought he should have been arrested.

On Saturday night, the three of us girls decided to go out into the town. I didn't have much to wear, so Christine, the lady I am staying with, offered to lend me her nice necklace, bracelet and shoes. It was sweet--I felt like Cinderella. The shoes, however, were high heels and ended up killing my feet by the end of the night, walking all over. It was pretty fun, to see the people all out and about. They were asking for IDs to get into the Pubs and I didn't have mine. Solveij wasn't 18, so she didn't have one either. Can you believe they wouldn't let me in? As if I were younger than 18?!!! Tamara was the only one who could have gotten in, so she decided to go and buy some wine coolers (just for her) and we would walk down to the beach. Wow....down at the beach, I have never seen so much attention. Guys came by to pick up on us every 2 minutes. They knew we were foreigners. It was flattering, but in all honesty, I missed the boys from the USA. Most of these guys were old, ugly, weird or just too forward. One even asked me to marry him with a rose, but then wanted me to buy the rose!!! I decided not to stay out too late because my feet were hurting and the guys that came by wouldn't leave us alone. I went home by 1AM.

On Sunday, Tamara and I went early to Monaco. She wanted to see the place and I didn't mind going back. We went up to the Palace and went inside this time. We also saw a movie on the history of the country. It was very interesting. There are no taxes in Monaco. Wouldn't that be a great way to live? Also, at the casino at Monte-Carlo, I have really never seen so many luxury cars.

Last night night, Christine said that Sylvio wanted to make us dinner. He is from Italy and talked repeatedly before about what an amazing pizza he made. My mouth was watering and I was hoping that is what he would make us. When we got there, his sink was filled with these little fish and baskets of raw shrimp!!! I wanted to run outside for some fresh air. He said that he caught them all from his boat just for me. I smiled and tried to act happy. I was thinking, though, why he didn't make the pizza he had talked about. Also, I had told him at the Chinese restaurant that I hated seafood, but I guess he didn't listen. He put the fish and the shrimp right on his barbecue grill. He didn't even put any spices on top or anything--just a sprinkle of salt. I did get a picture, but I was not excited to eat at all. I saw that there was salad and bread on the table, but in France, those things are for the end of the meal. So....I picked at the fish, forcing myself to eat it, spitting out the bones and trying not to think about it. Then, I said I was full to eat the shrimp. I felt bad, but I knew I couldn't force it down. He ended up giving the rest my fish to the dog. I really felt bad, but what can you do? At least the salad, bread and cheese was good, but I feally wanted a pizza!!!

Today, I met the teachers for my class on French music. They were all so cute and nice!! The class was great and I actually learning something. I wish I could have taken these classes last week. It is our lunch break and I have written a ton. I am off to get a Greek Sandwich. Au revoir!!!