Weekend in Cannes

I arrived in Cannes after a long travel day that truly involved planes, trains, and automobiles.  Weather was beautiful and I was excited for a relaxing weekend before my three week work-cation in the French Riviera.   Then, I opened my work e-mail and everything changed.  I had multiple e-mails from my office asking me to "call urgently because something came up that will affect my schedule".  Of course I called immediately, but my boss was not available to talk.  So I sat in my room, waiting for a call back and wondering what could be such an emergency. 

I couldn't help but worry about the worst possible scenarios.  Would I be forced to end my jet-setting lifestyle?  Did my company announce some big news that I missed while I was traveling?  After what felt like an eternity, I finally talked to my boss and he asked me to cancel my project in Cannes and book a flight to Paris instead.  Fortunately, I was given the approval to remain in Cannes for the weekend but I lost my Friday night to travel logistics and e-mail communications.  

Saturday morning, I woke up without an alarm (which means I woke up at the same early time as every other morning).  The weather was perfect so I went for a long run along the boardwalk.  Even in the off-season, the sidewalks along the beach are overcrowded so I couldn't even imagine what it would be like during the height of the summer.  I literally spent the entire run dodging people and traffic.  

While I was running, I kept smelling food cooking yet I couldn't see any restaurants or food trucks nearby.  Then I realized that the restaurants were actually underneath the boardwalk, right along the beach.  These Europeans really know how to maximize small spaces.

True beachside dining, with scents to entice anyone on the boardwalk!

Maybe it's the palm trees, or the weather, or simply that I don't have to work in Cannes but I truly felt relaxed and energized by the time I returned to the hotel.  After a quick shower in the curtain-less tub area, I was ready to start the day.  (Sidenote: I will never understand why Europeans do not use shower curtains??  Who teaches them how to shower without spraying water all over the bathroom?)

I figured I would get more-than enough french food throughout the next two months working in France, so I searched for a good sushi restaurant.  As it turns out, sushi is not so easy to find in France and the place I ended up trying was more like fast-food sushi.  At least I got my raw fish and, for dessert, a nutella and strawberry sushi roll.  Gross?  The jury's still out...

The afternoon was mainly spent shopping since I barely have any casual clothes and my week-long vacation to Italy is coming up soon.  I don't think my friends need to see me wearing suits every day of the trip.  One of the more annoying parts about traveling non-stop for 4 months is that I have to be so careful about what I buy.  More shopping equates to more hassle every time I need to pack and transport my luggage.  

Weather continued to be perfect so I walked down to the pier to watch the sunset.  It was absolutely gorgeous and  I didn't even care that I was all alone, surrounded by overly-affectionate couples.  I spent a while just listening to the sounds of the waves crashing against the rocks.  I like to use moments like this to think about my life.  On one hand, it can be difficult spending so much time alone, but on the other hand, I am so grateful to have this amazing opportunity to travel the world.  

Sun starting to set - view from the marina

Sun continues to set - view from the pier/beach

On the way back to the hotel, I stopped at the grocery store and bought myself some deli meat and fruit to make a simple meal.  I know what you're thinking: vacations aren't supposed to involve cheapo, self-prepared meals.  But, for someone who eats every meal at a restaurant, a simple meal involving no oil or butter is like a dream come true.  

Sunday morning, I woke up to another gorgeous morning.  When I looked out of my window, I noticed a giant cross on the hill so I decided that I would change up the workout and jog up the hill until I got to the cross.  

The cross on the top of the hill (right side) caught my attention this morning

I didn't bother bringing a map with me because maps are for unadventurous people.  Instead, I just started running in the general direction of the cross and didn't even care if I was taking the long route.  After all, part of the fun is what I will discover along the way.  As I zig-zagged my way up, I had countless amazing views of the city, the water, and so many beautiful homes tucked into the side of the mountain. 

Views from the run

I wouldn't mind any of these as a summer home.

I finally made it to the cross and made an interesting discovery: It's not a cross at all, but rather, an abandoned observation tower!  This is a perfect example of a quest where the journey was more exciting than the destination...

Here's what the "cross" looks like from up close

I think this may be a water tower, disguised as a castle!

Running downhill is a lot more fun

For the rest of the afternoon, I walked around the city again, stopping at a couple churches, the casino, and the Cannes version of the Hollywood walk of fame that involves celebrity hand prints instead of stars.  

Julie Andrews has been here. 

Dinner was at a Thai restaurant because I can never get Thai food at my hotels.  It actually tasted more like Chinese food but, my I was ok because my expectations for food in France are always very low.  

Overall, it was a very quiet weekend.  I'm not sure if this is typical in Cannes, but I didn't get the impression that it is a big party city - especially in the shoulder seasons when no one is out on boats or tanning on the beaches.  On the bright side, I got to enjoy perfect weather, fantastic workouts, non-hotel meals, and picture-perfect sunrises/sunsets.  I feel refreshed for the week ahead. 

Here's my art deco hotel.  

Enjoying my last sunrise in Cannes on Monday morning