D-DAY: Tribulations to Portugal

Finally the day had arrived. I had booked the 6.00 am flight from Marseille to Porto and to manage to be at Marseille airport at 6.00 am I had to take the last train from Nice on the previous day. All went perfectly until approaching Marseille: the train was 20 minutes late!! This means I lost the last shuttle going from the station to the airport! Who knows Marseille train station knows it is not the place where you want to spend the night. It is a very bad place and unfortunately I had no choice but to stay there and wait for the first shuttle of the next day at 4.00 am (and rush to the check-in desk to register!).

The “night” was short and not very comfy, sitting and sleeping in the waiting room, charging my cell that left me down and being stressed of whether or not I would manage to arrive on time at the airport...

Finally, all went well, I caught my shuttle, registered (not without other little problems) and got the flight.

Mum and Greg came to pick me up at the airport and together we went to rent the car.

- So now we’ll go towards North ‘till Viana do Castello

- Nope, now we go to the hotel where I’m gonna have a shower and some minutes sleep.

- You’ll sleep tonight! Now we’re going!

- Mum, you don’t seem to understand that I haven’t slept much last night, that I feel dirty and tired and I don’t feel confident enough to drive right now hours towards North, to spend a whole day visiting with only a few hours bad sleep."

I learned something that day: it’s useless discussing with my mum when she’s discovering a new place! :)

Festival and events

1. The two brothers from Lyon came to visit us in Nice. We headed towards Monaco and got a drink in a fancy place. After having laughed quite a lot at the restaurant, we went to the club Karément. On our way back, we stopped at the beach to enjoy the sunrise.

2. Music festival: I participated to the Colombian show organized by the association that does the salsa courses -> fun!

3. Kid’s back in town! One evening at the pub La Havane with Noémie. The next day at the beach with Cécilia.

4. For my birthday, Cécilia and I went to the restaurant on the beach of the Hotel Beau Rivage. Mum was around for a few days because of a famtrip so we spent the evening together in Cannes attending the opening of the “Electronical beaches”. Slept at the Matinez. Next evening, mum was busy with work so I went with Cécilia, Tatiana and Francis at the Fashion Photo Festival in Cannes. Next days, I went to the market with Noémie and out for a lunch on the beach with Alexandrina, my neighbour.

5. Invited by the big hotel chain Accor, the office (meaning Cécilia, as always, Francis, Luz and me) were invited to the famous Festival “Les Nuits du Sud” in Vence. After a buffet dinner reserved for the guests and presents everywhere on the table (keyrings, hats, T-shirts, bottles of wine…) we left to the festival were Kassav’ was expected. Cool evening and there again, lots of luck to get free entrances and attend such big event

6. Jazz Festival in Juan-Les-Pins: Invited by a hotel in Juan-Les-Pins, we got free entrances to attend the Jazz Festival. This is as well one of the most famous events on the Riviera during summer time. The bands were excellent and Cécilia and I really enjoyed listening to some different music (I actually love Jazz music!!). After that we left for a drink at the Pam Pam club where there are traditional Brazilian musicians and dancers. While waiting in front of the pub as is was packed, we noticed we were not on the queue. Who cares! If we can go in faster…! :P And that’s what happened! The bouncer asked how many we were and 2 seemed to be the perfect number. We entered the pub and got a great table right next to the stage. I was filming with my camera when I saw the dancer ask Cécilia to join him on the stage. Cécilia went and SHE did the show!! All’s on record on my camera!

What a terrific evening!

7. 80 years old and lots of resources! Cécilia invited me to the Domaine Saint Andréol to celebrate her grand mother’s birthday with all her family. The location was fantastic, the food awesome and the afternoon just as great. The sun was shining and we could enjoy the swimming pool of the hotel. In a few words, it was an absolutely fantastic day.

8. Club “La Siesta” with Alexandrina and Cécilia