Identity, Value, and Goals

The weekend of October 15 and 16 was our second weekend of travelling on our own. 8 of us decided to head south to Nice, France. After arriving at different times throughout the weekend, we all decided to meet up on Saturday morning for a group adventure. We wanted to go to Monaco. It was a beautiful sight to see. Nice was beautiful as well. In the streets, of Nice strangers did not come up to you selling you items and you didnt have to worry about holding your bags close to your body.Of course, we saw homeless people and disabled individuals but it was not as numerous and risky as Paris.

As previously mentioned in "the city of [What] love?" blog, Paris had everything dirty and nice a big city in the states would advertise. With these few things being said about Nice and Monaco, I enjoyed it much better than paris. The water was sky blue and the further you looked out the prettier the water became. The rocks that led to the water set the mood. I think all of us were expecting sand but it was good to be at a beach with rocks instead of sand. It was a perfect location for couples and families. I couldn't actually find a boardwalk on the beach but the shops, casinoes, and restaurants reminded me that we were still in France and I was not back in the states. I suppose topless people was another reminder but I would rather not discuss that view.

Overall, I really enjoyed Nice but after a few conversations with a few friends and thinking in the shower, I have come to the conclusion that standards and expectations change everytime we travel. For example back in America, going to the club means dressing to impress and secretly try to reveal yourself. While abroad, we dress up for class and clubs but a different kind of dress up. It somewhat looks like the same thing we wear to class is the same thing we wear to the club, professional and classy. It is strange that in America you are almost frowned upon for not having skin shown or not wearing the new Victoria Secret sweatpants and uggs to class.  I actually remember my first time going out my freshman year at WVU and in life and people laughed at me because I didn't have on sexy dress or a short skirt. I didn't understand the point of being uncomfortable or having to worry that I would drop something and my thighs would show. I guess no one really told me about the clubbing life.These different standards came into place in Nice and Paris and I suspect it will always occur. To me, where I sleep at night is just as important and if not more than the place of interest. I would like to see the sights as well but my healthy and safety are more important. At home, I feel the same way when it comes to sleeping and eating. I hope my identity doesn't change too much since I am not at home.