France: Ajaccio, CORSICA

I finally went on my first "day" trip to Ajaccio, Corsica where Napoleon was born with Katie, Sarah, Chris, and Calla (see album entitled Ajaccio, Corsica for references). It was AWESOME! We took the TGV to Toulon and had to run to catch the ferry, which was more like a cruise ship. There were video games, about 3 food places (ok the "cafeteria" had bbq and fried calamari, fries, other seafood, mousse) basically I wish Vandy had a caf like that! There was a play area for kids, a dog sanctuary (is it sanctuary or is there another word that sounds like it?). We had arm chairs to sleep in and the first go 'round it was SO uncomfortable esp. because my seat wouldn't recline (it only went back about 3 inches anyway haha). Then in the morning at about 6 am they wake you up by BLASTING the tvs. Gr.

Let's see we took a bus tour of the city and saw this old defense tower (like they have with castles), some Napoleon statues (I have a feeling they have WAY too many)! The weather was perfect. Not too hot, with a light breeze, although that sun can really get you! My goodness. Be grateful for US sun, really. I mean you're out there for 20 minutes and you burn regardless of the amount of sun screen. No WONDER it costs so much out here! Anyways we went to the beach for a few hours before we checked out the Napoleon museum, which used to be the house he lived in. I love preservations like that - actual fabric from the rooms, his bed still intact. It's just amazing. Written documents.

We saw some mussels in the water and I saw a school of tiny fish! Cute! I really wanted to go fishing but the boats we saw were 27 or 50 euro just for a tour - WAY too much. And to rent a motor boat.... 1000 EURO/day! Ridiculous. But I got to watch someone fish, though he didn't have much luck. I had salmon pasta for lunch and shrimp pasta for dinner. I've decided I'm going to back of the pasta (carbs man). And I really don't like the heads on the jumbo shrimp. It just unnerves me. Chris had octopus! OH I almost forgot, in the center of the main plaza there was this reenactment where these guys dressed up in the old Napoleon uniforms and fired a cannon. Pretty interesting.

The ride back was much better. I was knocked out so I didn't realize the cold. Calla and I watched this really weird movie with the Wolverine guy (don't know his name) where he's a surgeon looking for a cure for a tumor - anybody have any idea what it is? I really like boats. I'm going to have one some day, maybe, for a day ha. I didn't say I would OWN one. And I like lighthouses. I'm such a water person - it's the Aquarian in me! (water without sharks of course..)