Friday, July 29, 2011

Lapo....Lapo

In the summer months of June, July and August, the principality of Monaco hosts an international  pyrotechnic competition. Last night was Poland.  It is an adventure just getting there.  First, we picked up cousin Bernard at his apartment in Menton.....

He hates to get his picture taken but I manage to force him every once in a while.  We found a parking spot, finally, in one of the underground parking facilities and then surfaced at the port of Monaco.  It was a cloudy night but still busy. We arrived at 8 P.M. and although the fireworks weren't expected until 10, the boardwalk around the harbor was already crowded.

Just a few facts:
 Monaco is three miles long by one-half miles wide (about the size of New York's Central park)! The population is 32, 020 (6,089 Monegasque citizens) 19% Monegasque, 32% French and 20% Italian. And what is the difference between Monaco and Monte-Carlo? Monaco is the country while Monte-Carlo is a district within Monaco.  Where we are currently living is about a 15 minute drive away.

The next thing you do after you solve the parking dilemma is to solve the where-do-we-sit-to-eat-and-watch-the-show dilemma.  This night we forgot to make reservations and so, sadly, we found a spot with a good view but not good food. :(  Yes, it is possible though rare to eat not good food in France or in the this case Monaco.  However, the show Poland gave us more than made up for it. Just spectacular!!  30 minutes of incredible fireworks timed perfectly with music.  A real treat. And an added treat is when crazy Italians lose their dog in the dark during the fireworks and walk back and forth and under your table calling "Lapo...Lapo" in a low whisper over and over in an effort to find their baby.  Needless to say, long after the city lights came back up, Lapo was still MIA and his mother was wandering the streets calling to him.  "Lapo...Lapo......"


Also cool is that once the grande finale is over, all the boats in the harbor blow their horns in appreciation for the pyrotechnic efforts.  Its a fabulously loud noise they make.  Poor Lapo
 Next time, in August, we will plan better and reserve a fabulous restaurant along the water front where you can people and boat and car watch easily while sipping your wine and eating crepes!