Because I am living in a small town for the semester, I feel that I am really getting to see what life is like for the locals here. When you think of the French Riviera, you usually think of crystal blue water, sandy beaches, and glamorous people to match. However, beyond this picturesque idea of what studying abroad in the French Riviera is like, real life takes place here. In observing the locals in Antibes, I have found that life here is so much more than the glamorous picture I had in my head; there is a special, beautiful rhythm to this culture.
The thing I love the most is that there is a feeling of calmness and slowness in the air. People take their time walking places; I rarely ever see someone in a rush when going about their daily activities. Coffee shops are a place to sit together and take a break rather than a place to work on laptops like in the U.S.. Many people take walks simply to enjoy each other's company or to take in the breath-taking views along the coast. Everywhere you look, you can see life being lived fully, with each moment being treated with as much care and attention as the artisan macaroon enjoyed for dessert!
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| People enjoy having a cup of coffee on the terraces of cafés. |
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| The Riviera is filled with cyclists zooming along the coast. |
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| Many locals enjoy walking their dogs as part of their daily routine. |
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| People enjoy spending time on the beach- even in the colder months of January and February. |
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| The Provencal Market is where people can go to buy fresh fruits and vegetables from vendors. |
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| In Antibes, there is a sailing school so you can often see sailboats out on the sea on pretty days. |
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| The elderly men who live here get together several times a week to play pétanque (bocce ball) by the sea. |
Olivia Hosey is the Spring 2016 CEA MOJO Photographer in the French Riviera. She is currently a junior at the Belmont University.