Theo Bruinsma -- San Francisco

  Near the Metropole Shopping Center in Monte Carlo After arriving underground by train, I walked up the stairs and stepped into Monaco and immediately noticed how clean the streets were. I looked up at the buildings and noticed how perfectly maintained they were also. Everything around me seemed new and fresh. I kept walking as a Bentley passed me by, then a Ferrari, and many buzzing scooters. Amazing. I was in a whole different world. Most people were well dressed. I felt safe everywhere. And the more I walked, the more glamorous the architecture became as I was nearing the casino area of town, with all the French designer shops from Versace to Louis Vuitton stores in a row on the ground floor of modern luxurious apartment buildings near the casino square in Monte Carlo. Was I dreaming? Things in Monaco seemed too good to be true. Was it true? Is Monaco a real place? Or had I arrived in a fake world? A type of Disney World for stylish adults? Because at times I felt this couldn’t...

The crane is the most common bird in Monaco The air in Monaco is always clean Sometimes a raven can be seen But the crane bird is everywhere Buildings rising here and there All the cranes bear the same name From a family with great fame They rule the skies of Monaco Better to be their friend than their foe In the distance is the palace Where the Prince is pacing with malice Another day another scandal The priest shook his head and lit a candle Who had leaked the dirt? To cause the monarchy so much hurt Who made the man with the crown Look like such a clown? Surrounded by the wrong men Punished by a poison pen Though he still has his crown Many greet him with a hidden frown In Monaco the cranes are everywhere Buildings rising here and there The Crane (bird)