C'est La Vie

A Cali girl and her adventures. Food, travel, and the wonderful present.

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Went to visit my grandma’s grave today. The sea of tombstones is a stark contrast to the life of people. Inspired me to make conscious effort to be PRESENT. Be Passionate, love what you do. Be Respectful, treat others the way you want to be treated. Be Empathetic, imagine yourself in other's shoes. Be Sustainable, love and care for the earth. Be Enthusiastic, instill the glee of childhood. Be Negotiable, view from both sides. Be Tenacious, hold firm in your beliefs. Photo is of Nice’s Ferris wheel.

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Farm to table fresh yum! Roasted golden beets and carrots with fresh herbs and sautéd kale from Capay organic farm. Topped off with a fried egg. Saturday brunch goodness.

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This is one of the views I miss the most from Nice. Staring onto Place Rosetti that is caressed by Fenocchio ice cream parlor, Cafe Antonia, Fontaine Restaurant, and the magnificent cathedrale. Everyday and night it bursts into life. Tourists, students, retirees all congregate at this center of Old Town. It is a constant flow of movement that when I look down from above everyday, it is a feast for my eyes. A feeling of a flaneur indeed.

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Nice has some of the best sunsets! J'adore! This was taken at the chateau up the streets of old town in the winter when the Ferris wheel was still in motion. Whenever there are clouds in the sky I would like to catch a glimpse of the sunset because of the captivating colors. The sky explodes in pink, yellow, red, and blue. Like a triumphant celebration of a wonderful day. The French Riviera is just such a sweet spot.

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Radio Alice’s Now and Zen concert in Golden Gate park is a reminder of how wonderful it is to be in San Francisco. It embodies community and the essence of a good life as one sways to the tunes of great artists. The comic, suave, and charming SF native Matt Nathanson entertains the crowd. He’s got impeccable wit and if he has his own TV show, I would tune in religiously. Neon Trees opens up about being true to oneself and crowd-surfed the audience. A great way to spend an afternoon basking under the sun and occasional clouds.

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Hello Nice! It has earned it's title of a nice town, and is even more than that. I'm thankful to be able to live almost 2 years in Nice for grad school. The scenery does somewhat distract from the studies, but a pebble beach mellows it out. A run along the promenade to Villefranche entices any runner, and a picnic at Coco beach melts all worries away. A town with so much to offer, and a lifestyle that makes many envious. It is ridden with youngster on Erasmus exchange and retired English. However, it still remains nicoise. And is an eclectic blending ground of international cultures.

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Simply irresistible Villefranche-sur-mer. Was fortunate to live here for 2 months, and eyeing to join all the people from Northern Europe and retire here. Well, they want to escape the cold, and I just can't get over how beautiful it is. This town is teeny tiny, but it's proximity to Nice makes it an escape paradise. Water is clear and fish dot the sea, but do beware of jellyfish. If you do get stung, vinegar helps.

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Quail eggs baked in tomatoes on a bed of broccoli. Simply hollow out Roma tomatoes, crack quail eggs inside and bake for 10 minutes at 350 or until it looks like it's done. Cute and makes for great finger food. Others will eye your plate.

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A languid summer's day in Seville, Spain. A fantastic city in the region of Andalusia that I love. Beautiful architecture to soak in a walk. Though it does get hot and humid in the summer. Has great food at cheap prices. At Nikkei Bar, which is a fusion of Japanese and Pervian, the ceviche at less than 4 euros is a steal. Get your grub on.

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Oh la dolce vita! Rome is full of history that I'm sure tons of ghosts amble it's streets. I stayed with my friend in an area called Pigneto. You can easily catch the tram to go there from Termini. Via del Pigneto is a pedestrian street that bursts to life at night. At first sight, it may look sketchy, but don't judge! Lots of bars and restaurants dolling up aperitivo for 5 euros. Circle of artists is a great hangout with outdoor gardens and bars. Get a beer to wash down that sweet life.

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The tanneries of Fes. Make sure you have sprigs of peppermint before you take a look. Merchants do pester you to buy as their livelihood depends on it. The labyrinths of the medina is a charm and makes you feel like you've transported back in time. Make sure you carry your hotel card with you as you are bound to get lost. Getting lost is part of the experience.

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Camel trekking in the Sahara dessert! What an experience of a lifetime. The golden orange sand is soft and a lovely sight and touch. Winds create mounds and decorate the landscape. An hour-and-half ride brings us to camp. The Berbers were great hosts and even brought our sleeping mattress out so we can sleep under a canopy of stars. Every now and then you can witness a shooting star. The tranquility is such a gift in a today’s city bustle.

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Corfu is heaven on earth. Love this place of sun, sea, and beaches to tame relaxation cravings. Lucked out and stayed at this amazing place with the most to die for view in Paleokastristsa for 35 euros for a double room! The island is quite big with lots to explore. Pretty extensive network of busses to take you virtually all over the island. Down side is you must know their schedule as they are infrequent. The one from the airport to town has a huge gap in the afternoon. You might as well walk to town as it is not far.

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View of Acropolis from AthenStyle Hostel rooftop in the Monastiraki area. Athens has good food and a vibrant night life scene. The kebab at Thanassis is delicious. My favorite bar is Six Dogs with it's charming backyard lighted with bulbs wrapped around trees. However, beware of pickpockets, don't leave bags unattended, and don't walk around the streets right below the Acropolis without an entourage surrounding you. I had a really bad experience. So be aware of your surroundings at all times even if you are on vacation!

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View of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul. Pretty city with mosques flanked on many sides. The call to prayer is an acquired sound. Impressed by the discipline as there are 6 times for prayer - around 5:06, 6:47, 13:07, 16:29, 19:05, and 20:32. They sure get up early! Times change depending on time of year.

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The evil eyes of Turkey to ward off evil! They are fairly prevalent and expect to find them in stores, people’s homes, and hanging on trees. I’ve grown a liking for them and still wear a bracelet with a mini evil eye I got in Turkey.

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Hiking in Cappadocia. The view is of the Rose valley. The rock formations are incredible. From the town of Goreme, just walk toward the Open Air Museum. When you're there, the Rose valley is to the left side. It is amazing to be surrounded by nature's blessings.