France, Monaco | sipping coffee in Monaco and sleeping in hostels

I’m writing this week’s chronicle from a café in Monaco, and this might just be the bougiest sentence I’ll ever write. I’m also nursing this coffee so that it lasts until I finish writing, which means I’ll try to be brief—so I still have a warm sip left toward the end of the cup.

Not so fancy anymore.

The past few days have been quiet, and that was by design. I’ve been in the south of France, taking it easy before heading to Italy, where I’ll explore Milan and Rome for the first time. After a few intense days in Barcelona—where I caught up with Matheus, an old friend from college (sort of; he went to the school “next door”)—I needed a bit of downtime.

I could go on about the beaches in the French Riviera. Each has its own charm, and they’re undoubtedly scenic. But you’ve probably seen them in movies or perhaps even visited yourself.

Nice seen from the top (and with the miniature feature from my camera)

Though, if you have been following my weekly musings, you by now know that I’m an attentive commentator, so here are a few thoughts from my time here:

• Nice: Very nice. The historic district is well-maintained—charming without feeling too bourgeois or too touristy, at least during spring. It feels like a fully functional city, with other parts away from the famous beach

• Cannes: Tribeca meets Hollywood meets Paris

• Monaco: Where the uber-rich convene to avoid paying taxes.

  • People’s net worths are likely in the tens or hundreds of millions or even billions, yet they choose to live in 60 sqm (~600 sqft) apartments for part of the year, spending their money on flashy cars and designer jewelry instead

  • I assume the math checks out, but after visiting places where people survive on $2 or $3 a day, it’s jarring

  • It makes me wonder if the residents of this fine town are involved in any philanthropic endeavor or if they solely jet-set between London, New York, Moscow, Singapore, etc. partaking in well-heeled affairs

  • Yes, Monaco is beautiful—but other places around here are also jaw-dropping and it doesn’t feel as cramped. Maybe one day, if I have enough assets for this to be a real consideration, I’ll revisit this topic

  • Best asphalt I’ve ever seen. Monaco’s mayor is doing a hell of a job

Either way, watching the sunset at the beach is always nice and relaxing, no matter where I am.

Cannes—port with la Croisette on the background

One Month In

On a different note, it has now been one month since I started this trip. While I haven’t had a big revelation about myself or a grand epiphany about life, I will admit that I was wrong about one thing.

Coming into this journey, I assumed I’d often be one of the oldest people at the hostels I’m staying in. I thought of hostels as places for college-aged travelers. But the truth is, I’ve met people of all ages.

Yes, there are plenty of younglins in their late teens and early 20s, but I’ve also met folks in their 40s, 50s, and even 60s.

And seriously? I find it amazing.

Many of these travelers likely don’t have the means to travel “in style”—staying at high-end hotels or renting large apartments—yet they still choose to explore new places, experience different cultures, and step into the unknown.

I don’t see this much in the U.S., for example. At the risk of generalizing, most Americans seem too attached to their comfort and are, in many ways, isolationists. Ever heard someone say, “Why would I leave the U.S.? We have everything here”—or some variation of that? The idea of staying in a hostel with 10 strangers would never fly for them.

In contrast, I met an Italian couple in Marrakech—a hairdresser and a masseuse. He spoke decent English; she spoke none. Niente. Yet, they were happily spending a week in Morocco, staying in a hostel because it made the most sense for their experience.

I also encountered a different type of hostel guest in Nice: the local guy. Many of them work seasonal jobs, often spending two or three weeks on a boat during the summer, then coming ashore for a week or two. Renting a regular apartment doesn’t make financial sense for them, so staying in a hostel now and then helps them save money. Here is one side I’d never see at Grand Hotels!

That’s it for this week (told you I’d keep it short). Time to wrap this up before I miss the Monegasque sunset.

Monaco—ritzy gets a picture in pictionary

Upcoming Itinerary

📍 April 7-11: Rome, IT
📍 April 11-13: Munich, DE