The Mirage of Monaco

I wouldn't have known that it was an entire country, when I decided to embark on the train to Monaco from Nice. I was still counting the coins and standing at the long queue in the waiting line at the ticket vending machine.

Walking up on the steep road, learning to be unbothered by the streaks of sun light, by now, having spent many days in the French Riviera, we had developed the taste of looking at the side, trusting the coastline to be there. But what caught our attention were the rather cruise line ships that were blatantly parked there.

Outlined by brands, the city streets were bustling with french windowed, colourful houses. We stopped in for an exquisite view and a bite of an unsophisticated cucumber sandwich, the price of which cut deep into our Indian pockets.

Things were nice and glam until we reached up to Casino Monte Carlo. Because that is where things went superlative.

The vroom vroom of Rolls Royce, Ferraris, convertibles halted near the reception area. The suited drivers unbothered about the parking, sometimes with women in their flowy gowns and voluminous jewellery and the fact that they were sorrounded by a myriad of people like us, glancing to spot the whos who of the place.

For some tiny moments, I had entered the billionaires club without even knowing. The extravagance and yet the calmness of it all, felt like a mirage. It is incredible how the space around us whispers its secrets in our ears, only, if we care to listen. And I couldn't care any less. The aura of luxury and glam was widespread and I could feel it, without even knowing before hand, about the majestic monte carlo.

I decided to get into the casino of course after looking out at the huge ceiling of the palace of Monte Carlo. The wall to wall carpeted casino of course smelled of extravagance. Unlike outside, people seated inside the casino, seemed to be open for conversations and laughters. Anyone who entered was watched well, he was met with curios eyes, sounds of soft banters and clinkering whiskey glasses.

The short visit to the roulette table at the casino, was a welcome addition to my Europe holiday achievement list. Walking out of the casino and posing in front of the luxury cars, we could hear the jingling sound of what seemed like African music.

Following the direction of the music, we walked ahead instead of back, looking to find our way back to the train station through a different route.

The parade like music deepened and we could now see uniformed people dancing to the tunes, in a hotel lawn area, as if in welcome to a VIP.

We watched in glory, only to be stopped by many a guards from entering that area. But we rushed and made our way out of there.

The city was silent, poised and nonchalant. The roads were narrow and neatly defined.

My tiny visit to the tiniest country in the world, will always hold a special place in my heart, for it gave me a taste of some brief billionaire moments.