CANNES 2018!

This year, the American Club of the Riviera (ACR) arranged its luncheon in the very middle of the Croisette, right in the midst of all “the players” and atmosphere of the Cannes International Film Festival, on Saturday, May 12, 2018.  We were invited to have lunch with ACR members and guests at the Vegaluna Beach Restaurant on the Croisette Beach, opposite the Intercontinental Carlton Hotel.  Perfect date and place for the lunch! Everyone was in town – or so it seemed.  The energy was electric!!  Banners and people were everywhere.  Needless to say, I was excited!! 

I took the train from Nice, making reservations for the 10:27 train so that I could spend photography time before arriving at the 12 noon lunch. Easy to do since I live only a few blocks from the Nice Ville train station. 

When I arrived, I went to the Croisette!  Easy, peasy – headed straight for the Sea! Right away, I felt excitement everywhere.  Merchants at doors, people having coffee in garden-like settings, roses, gorgeous shop windows.

People at box office windows getting tickets for a film, company banners hanging from hotels, Variety magazines for the passerby (I had one, but tossed it since it was heavy to carry), Hollywood Reporter go-carts,

The gorgeous Carlton Hotel, always pleasing to the eye,

I  crossed the street on my way to the Vegaluna Beach Restaurant to photograph the numerous yachts, parked at Sea. 

 

You get the picture!!  Wow.  On to the restaurant. Jeanette, ACR president, greeted me at the door. Yes, this works! 

My Menu choices were thus: 

Starter: Burratina & Violet Artichokes shaving. Truffle & Roquet OR Marinated black tiger prawns & rock shrimps in sesame oil with bean sprout salad.  Hmmmm

Main Course: Jumbo prawns with a curry and coconut milk sauce. Thai style rice OR Asian style sliced beef tenderloin with coriander and flavored rice.  Hmmmmm

Dessert:  Tiramisu with chestnuts & rum OR Fresh fruits with fresh mint salad.  This one was easy….

I had ordered in advance when I made my reservation – Artichokes, Jumbo prawns, and Fresh fruits.  Yum!

We gathered at noon for aperitifs and nibbles, “enhanced by palm trees, white sand and azure sea”.  I saw right away friends from past events.  Margaret and Jane, plus others.

The luncheon followed.  I was at Table 4.  Great table.  Everyone was interesting, especially the woman next to me, Monique. I sat between Monique and her husband Nigel. He is a barrister from the U.K. They live between Antibes and London, spending quality time in Antibes and planning to move to France permanently next year.

The luncheon was “augmented by insights from Film Industry professionals  (no comment!), as well as the famous film quiz (no comment!)” Being a Film Industry professional, I remain undiscovered, but it is my own fault. I do more listening than I do talking. Oh, well….  All in good time….

All in all, it was a fun day. I am still missing Steve A LOT when I go to fun events. I am hoping to get over that in time.  But, for now, there is still an ache in my heart. Maybe that will never go away.  Stay tuned….

Everyone was still table-hopping and gabbing when I left to catch my 4:12 p.m. train for Nice.  Next time…..

On the way home, I vowed to get tickets and attend events next year.  Right now, I am still a voyeur, looking in from the outside. I want to be on the inside.  I will give that time and attention during the year.  That will take planning!

Best, Jay