Monaco: The Smallest Country in the World and a Fairy Tale Story

Blog #4
Dear Mrs. Brink, Mrs. Tomlin and Class:

Do you know the name of the smallest country in the world?  Have you ever heard of Prince Rainer?  How about Princess Grace Kelly?  Well whether you have or haven't I am going to tell you their story.

The smallest country in the world is just 16 minutes from our villa and is called Monaco.  It is the longest reining monarchy in the world.  (That means they have had the same family of kings or princes since the late 1200's.  They even have a real cool changing of the guard in front of their palace every day)  And for those of you who don't like to pay taxes it is a tax free country.  Yes, no income taxes at all because there is a beautiful casino there that makes a bunch of money.

Grace Kelly was a beautiful American actress who married handsome Prince Rainier of Monaco in 1956 in a fairy tale wedding at their 235 room castle in Monaco.  So she became the most beautiful princess in the world.

Princess Grace and Prince Rainier at Their Wedding

Princess Grace and Prince Rainier had three children, Prince Albert, Princess Caroline and Princess Stephanie.  She was a fabulous movie star and played in many great movies.



 But on September 13, 1982 Princess Grace and Princess Stephanie were driving just minutes from our house and had a horrible car crash.  Grace had a stroke while she was driving and lost control of her car.  Her car plunged off a cliff that we can see from our terrace at our house.  It is very steep.  It was a miracle that Stephanie was able to survive with only a few injuries but Grace was stuck in the car when it finally stopped rolling down the cliff.  She died the next day in the hospital.  Everyone was very sad as it was tragic.

Here is the Cliff

This Is The Monument Where She Went Off The Cliff

Monaco and it's biggest city Monte Carlo is one of my favorite places to visit here.  In fact, I was there last night because Mrs. Brink's son Justin came there on a huge private yacht and he came to our house for dinner.  So I got to stay up late and take him back to his boat.  It was really cool.

Justin and Me in Monaco
(See the Casino In The Backround)

I hope you liked the story of Prince Rainier and Princess Grace Kelly.  If you want to hear more history of France, just let me know in your comments because I still have 4 more blogs to go.

The Prince's Castle

The Magnificant Casino In Monte Carlo

So for now, Maddy out.
Talk to you next week.
-Maddy


Comment Corner:

WOW!!  You all went nuclear.  18 Comments!! Awesome.
Plus it was great talking to all of you this week at school  I really miss you all so much.

Katie:  Can't wait to see you too Kat. You wouldn't believe the stuff they served today.  It smelled HORRIBLE!  All I ate today for lunch was 4 pieces of bread.

Mrs. Ross: Yes luckily my parents are good cooks as that is the only thing keeping me alive.  Ha Ha.
I am so happy we get to work together again after school when I get home.  My mom said maybe even 2 nights a week.  Can't wait Mrs. Ross.

Mrs. Tomlin:  Not a great way to go on a diet but you would probably love the food in France.  Just not at my school.  By the way I am loving doing the graph of the temperatures you suggested. It is really neat!

Mrs.Santello :0)  You have a great memory.  When I was younger they did let me go home for lunch every day.  That was paradise.  But not anymore.  I could bring my lunch I guess, but no one does so I would look sort of odd and they would make fun of me.  And there are a lot of landmarks from that period around our house but we don't really study history much here.  It is weird with a capital "W".

Christopher:  Thanks so much for the comment.  I would love it if you commented every week. I am making friends here for sure but I am still having trouble understanding everything they say. Have a good time too.

Maggie:  I miss you too.  Thanks for writing. The weather here is good but not as hot as in Florida and definitely not as humid. And yes we get boat loads of homework. My favorite thing about being here in France is that it is really a lot different than the U.S.  I'll write a blog later next month about some of the funniest differences so when you and your mom come visit us you will be prepared.  Miss you too.

Kylee:  Yes I have been to Paris a couple of time; the first time when I was 6 months old.  And yes the Eiffel Tour is really cool.  I actually climbed to the top once. I will bring some pictures and show you. I do drink some of the wine here but I like dad's Cognac better.  But don't tell him.  :-)  And yes the schools are really different here and they teach in a totally different way.  Much more strict too.

Maddie A.K.A.W.  Ha Ha too funny Maddie.  Yes there was a wedding here last year but it was between Lilliane my Guinnea Pig and Sugar the Rabbit that just died.  And yes luckily they have the best water in the world here or I would die of thirst.

Kyle:  Hi Kyle.  Really I am as lucky as you because I am doing all the work you are doing and my work here too.  Mrs. Brink sends me all the assignments and yes I also took that aweful test.  There are street performers in Nice but not many here but there are some homeless hobos in the street.

Mrs. Brink:  It was so great speaking with you and our class.  Plus Justin is the BEST!!  And yes my mom gave him several big hugs from you.  About mushrooms.  You might like the ones in Florida but trust me, the ones here are disgusting.  I wil be happy to give French lessons to the class when we get back.  For fun here I have been loving You Tube.  Miss you so much Mrs. Brink.

Laura:  Hi Laura:  What do you mean crazy?  You must be talking about here in France.  LOL.  Believe me it is very hard speaking French all the time.  I really don't know which place I like better because they are really different.  All I know is that I miss you and our classmates. Thanks for writing and keep me posted on those science experiments.

Xavier:  Hey Xavier!  Of course I remember you.  I am having a great time but I miss EVERYONE in Florida.  I have been inside and climbed the Eiffel Tower.  The view is amazing from the top.  I really don't like my school much but I do have some friends.  And that is the craziest question ever: no my teachers don't have mustaches.

Sydney:  Hi Sydney.  Actually I think it would be a great idea to write a book on France.  Maybe you could come over here and help me? (If your family agrees of course)  See you too Sydney.

Erick:  Hi Erick:  Yes you are right, I do hate the food.  Haha!!  The Eiffel Tower is really big and looks just like it does in pictures.  It is really fun to climb and I think that is what you would like best.

Tori:  Tori!  Now answer this.....why on earth would I forget you?You know what, I feel the same thing about you; it is just not the same without you.  Miss you bunches and thanks so much for writing.  Can't wait to see you too back at school.

Thanks again all of you for the great comments.
More to come next week!!!!!
-Maddy