Life's Illusions: Merci!

Rosetta Stone and I are still having an issue with my French lessons. The screen shot below perfectly illustrates my frustration. I can say everything to RS's liking until I get to the word Merci.

Now everyone that I've met in France understands me when I thank them, but RS can't and keeps me from going forward with my lessons. I often have to repeat the word 15 times before getting their okay. Yet the most complicated sentences that I pronounce like I have marbles in my mouth get approved!

My new friend, Evelyne Nabet, la chanteuse, tells me that I must practice, practice and practice. Following her advise, and in honor of Thanksgiving, I dedicate this blog to Merci.

Following is my list of things I'm very grateful for:

1. First I need to say Merci for my health. Today, I took the bus to Cimiez, an area of Nice, high in the hills abaove Old Town and Nice Central. It is famous for its Roman ruins, Chagall and Matisse museums and lovely tree-lined streets with villas and grand houses many in the Beaux Arts style. What's that have to do with my health? Well I walked all the way back...6 kilometres. Merci pour ma sante.

2. While walking in Cimiez, I stopped frequently to photograph many of the architectural delights and other street scenes that caught my eye. In fact, while taking the picture above, I stepped back for a better view and voila, I stepped in...! Well it's another French M word that I won't use here, but I've always been told that it is good luck, so here is a great big MERCI to all the negligent dog walkers in Nice.

3. I am SO very grateful that many of my friends believe that I take good pictures. So for them, I say Merci and offer these additional random shots of Cimiez, Nice, Antibes, Cannes, and Villefranche-sur-mer for their viewing pleasure.

Merci for architecture and Merci for shutters. J'adore shutters! Can you tell?

Henri Bosco - Novelist and Poet
Qui habite la "Maison Rose" de 1955 a 1976

4. Merci for the markets. For the fabulous colors, scents and tastes!

5. La Grignotiere, in Villefranche-sur-mer a gets huge Merci for consistently giving great food and for great service from Brigitte! And bisous to Shelley Dobyns Benton http://www.rivieraexperience.com/ for having the greatest apartments.

6. Speaking of food! Merci to Oliver who has Pain Chaud downstairs from the apartment in Nice. Who wants to make petit-dejeuner when all you have to do is go down 61 steps (or take the ascensur) for fresh cafe creme and pain au chocolate. Plus good conversation in francais/anglais.

He also makes fresh sandwiches.

7. Merci for French sandwiches. I can no longer eat New York City mile-high sandwiches. Look! Just one slice of jambon, fresh pain and beurre. Superb!

Of course you can always go to McDonald's. No joke. It's fresh here, not like home at all! Merci!

And eating light like that for lunch allows you to eat a bit more for dinner. My Thanksgiving dinner tonight is champagne (Pol Roger of course) and foie gras! Yum! Give me Merci!

8. My biggest Mercis goes to Romain, Fouzia, Sam and Zack. Without their frienship and an apartment in Nice non of this would be happening. Fouzia introduced me to the beauty of Nice. Merci beaucoup.