City v. Country

This is an overly generalized post. Want to get this thought down though. I think it's important to know if you're a city or country person.

CITY = bustle, buzz, small, expenses, fashion, creative, proximity

COUNTRY = slow, peace, nature, big spaces, savings, comfort

There's convenience and inconvenience to both. As well as competitive economies. Governing bodies and extracurricular activities. Families and friends. Social ladders. Poor and rich. Skirts, suits, and white tee-shirts. Jeans.

We're all working, shopping, eating, drinking, sleeping, and (hopefully) loving and being loved.

Choose to live your life where you feel comfortable. City? Country? That perfect place in between? I truly believe we can survive anywhere so, if this is the case, you might as well live a happier life by surviving in a location you prefer*.

*Friends, family, career and other factors play a role but sometimes it's healthy to think about questions in absence of these factors. You can always include them later and reevaluate.

Cafe Americain

I did not see ONE Starbucks in Nice/Cote D'Azur. Not during our cameos in Northern Italy or the Swiss Alps either. I loved this but can understand that some of my friends would be disappointed. Here's what I recommend to those who travel to Europe and are longing for 16 oz. of coffee:

1) Manage your expectations. Accept going in that coffee (and really everything) is not consumed in mass quantities.

2) Order a coffee called a cafe americain. It's a double shot of expresso served with a side of hot water. Barely bitter with rich cocoa notes. I know it doesn't seem like "much", but after you add a little water and cream/sugar, to your liking, I can almost guarantee you will enjoy the flavor and feel content with this size serving. (I was taken by surprise too as my usual order at Rose's Bakery is a medium Hawaiian Hazelnut coffee with two shots of espresso.)