Me, swimming in the pool:
– Oh, il y a un marché! (Oh, there is a market!), looking down.
– Ah, oui, il y a une marche (ah, yes, there is a stairstep), replied my trainer amused. Again.
Nov29
Monthly Archives: November 2018
Nov27
Thank you Monaco
for your Monaco Gastronomie. Its 23rd edition in Chapiteau, next to the Roses Garden, delighted small and big alike with a variety of goodies to indulge on.
We loved the demonstrations by chefs, all made in the spirit of sharing – le partage. So, I thank them all for quite a few chefs’ tips shared with a little bit of French nonchalance and humour.
We tasted Raviole Gyosa de volaille et foie gras by Lauren Colin of L’ Intempo at Le Meridien Hotel and risotto with pumpkin and Saint Jacques by Patrice Guillet, sous-chef at Brasserie Cafe de Paris. 
We also tasted some of their wisdom. “La cuisine – la passion, un respect des ingredients, simple, sans la transformation exageree” Patrice Guillet, sous-chef at Brasserie Cafe de Paris.
We indulged on quite a number of good quality products of all sorts from ice cream, panetonni, chocolate to cheese to ham. Pity, I travelled only with hand luggage this time.
Nov25
A day. A day?
Today, Sunday, is International Day to end violence against women.
Tweets abounds. Posts are liked and shared. Declarations are made.
On Monday, Maria, Mary, Miriam will endure again. Maybe even this very same Sunday. The perpetrators were unaware about the International Day. So, were Maria, Mary, Miriam. And so were their children and, perhaps, their elderly…
I can hear proponents say “But at least it’s marked and talked about”. Indeed, we talk about it. Talking is not enduring. Yesterday, today, every day, before and after 25 November.
The safety of vulnerable and freedom from violence against any human being shall be a daily affair. Not a yearly event. I also believe it is Everyone’s daily affair. The family’s affair, neighbors affair, the school’s affair, the church affair, the community’s affair…
Nov24
Monaco for kids
ok, ok, and accompanying adults.
The fame of Monaco as the world of rich and famous as we know or imagine it: heliports, diamonds, luxury and adults games and playgrounds.
I was on a quest of demonopolizing the adult centered view of this harbor of fun. With this in mind, we quickly found out that Monaco is generous for all ages and spirits.
When travelling with the kid, safety comes first. Security wise, Monaco is one of the safest places. The number of police officers per capita is the highest in Europe. It is one of few places where I, a hand holding mom, let my kid wander away from me.
So, for now, here are a few things to choose from for a long weekend with kids in Monaco:
1. Larvotto beach
Small in length, it manages to accommodate a playground for smaller ones and a sports ground and it still leave enough space for free play and lounges. It is also a birds feeding spot, if you are into this.
The waters of Larvotto beach are part of a maritime protected area so the water quality is monitored daily. You can swim with fish even very close to shore. 
2. The gardens: Japanese, Exotic, St. Martin, Rosarea of Princess Grace and more
You can have a fun botanic open air class in any or all of them. Trees are marked and their origin explained, to explore trees from different parts of the world. For long walks, you can embark on a marked trees path throughout Monaco, to discover the most spectacular ones. It can be a new sensorial experience: touching leaves of different texture, listening to the sound of leaves playing with the wind … . 
3. Oceanographic Museum and its panoramic roof
It is always a pleasure to visit it. I recommend to buy the tickets online and skip the waiting line. It is a world of oceans wonders and a platform to educate young and adults alike. This year, we felt royal to be greeted by the Prince, even if from a screen. Monaco invested traditionally in ocean research for dozens of years. It started with Prince Alberto I and the famous explorer Cousteau. This year expo is devoted to the Monaco Blue Initiative and Monaco’s commitment to ocean protection. Kids and adults can learn through touch screens about maritime protected areas, what it means to eat fish responsibly, what it takes to decide with sustainability in mind.
4. Fontvieille area museums
The small and cosy stamps and coins Museum offers a visit to the monetary and early communication history of Monaco.
The private collection of Cars of Prince H.S.H. Rainier III
We loved to walk around the carriages and cars of 100 years and more history behind. The latest sports cars, official cars of Princess Grace, cars decoration elements delighted kids and adults alike. 
The Naval Museum
5. The Exotic Garden, the cave and the anthropology museum
From the Exotic Garden you can descend into a 600 meters deep cave. I would recommend the descend only to kids 8+ and with good shoes on. It can be slippery.
The anthropology museum is small and hosts a temporary expo. This year it was devoted to migration.
Nov22
Thank you, Bucharest!
for your unique taxi drivers. This time I got a free lecture about Romanian politics and democracy seen from behind a taxi wheel, by 60-year-old Giga, a most proud Romanian. And all that in the notorious Bucharest traffic. I got to the airport in no time. Giga is talented at his job.
for your melancholic fog
for new partners who aspire to make Romania a better place to live
for Marriott style hospitality, who is also mindful of the city’s heritage and promotes it to visitors
the sweet gifts to spoil my colleagues
my husband’s favorite cookies. Probably the only ones I do not bake, so I owe you on this one
& new beautiful stationery with a Romanian touch for my kid. 
Love von Beauty von Love 
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