MONACO GRAND PRIX “2016’s QUALIFYING WITH THE ORLANDELLAS”

It is difficult to write about this. But, I must. It seems important for me to do. This time last year, Steve and I were in a Ritage Riviera town car, being driven to Monaco. It was Saturday, the day of Qualifying. We were giddy from excitement. The Monaco Grand Prix was IT in our home. I think Steve was a Formula One fan from the git-go. His favorite race was Monaco. Over the years, it became mine, too. I began to know the Clubs and many of the drivers. It was fun. I did not get up with him at any hour of the night to watch events, but he did. Amazing. 

Last year, he got us tickets for Qualifying. They were cheaper than Race Day. And, we wanted to get a driver. Maybe, if we were younger, we would have taken the train, but a driver let us stay longer and do more. 

We left home around 10:30 a.m., allowing time for crowds and traffic. And, we want to explore, eat lunch, wander…. Everything was amazingly organized. And, we did as much as we both had energy to do, deliriously happy. We had hot dogs, Pepsi’s, potato chips, ice cream, Italian food. We talked to strangers and kept trying to get a good selfie. 

We did not have seats. We had space on a hill. Haha. And, by the time we got there, the good spaces were taken. We didn’t care. We were there and loving it, resolving to get seats for Race Day next year.

These are the pictures we took. Not great. For us, it was just the beginning of more Grand Prix’s to come.

Today is Qualifying in Monaco. I will watch it for both of us. And, tomorrow – the Race. Some days, I feel my heart will break. This is one of them. 

Best, Jay