We are leaving Nice today. I could spend much more time anywhere between here and Aix en Provence. Ideally a nice city place here in Nice, walking distance to the pebbly beach with the fabulously blue water and a lovely country house with fabulous gardens.
We stayed in a “penthouse”, the third story of an apartment. Like many other buildings in Nice, it has an Italian facade. We are 30km from the Italian border. It’s a 10 minute walk to the 7km promenade and beach.
On our regular length block, within sight, there is :
- 3 lingerie shops
WORK HARD, LOVE THIS ART AND YOU CAN BE ONE OF THE BEST
- 3 cafes: the one just below us, Dolce Vita, gives the best deal on coffee, crepes and sandwiches, (though by the end of the trip I may learn in just enjoy espresso because when I order a cafe….an espresso arrives, with sugar at least)
- no fewer than 6 restaurants
- a place to learn belly dancing
- a place to zumba and yoga
- a small workout class in the bottom of our building
- BATA, Footlocker, M.A.C.
- two pharmacies
- this street does not allow traffic after the morning deliveries and daily garbage pick up
- there is lots of recycling: including the large bins of glass picked up @ 7:30
We have walked everyday to the open air market to buy fruit and treats. This morning we are going to visit a lovely patisserie a few blocks down our street. Adults are frequently found lined up out the door at lunch time to buy sweets. Something sweet at the end of the meal and more importantly to start your day is common here.
Lunchtime is also a ritually important event each day. Lunch can often last 2 hours. Do not try to rush this, it is futile and only you will be frustrated. Children will often have 2 hours for lunch, and will often meet up with their parents. Sometimes schools serve lunch which consists of FIVE courses: salad (various), entree (vegetarian, fish), side dish, cheese and either fruit or yogurt to finish. School start and finish times vary throughout the week, sometimes not starting until the afternoon. You must keep the school schedule posted, as the school day is quite flexible.
playground nearby to our apartment, very little plastic or metal used
Nice has its very own local, lunch tradition. A couple hundred years ago, a Scottish commander was annoyed that his wife was frequently late serving lunch. She would go out strolling around Nice, gossiping and socializing along the way. At this own expense, he would set off a cannon at noon so his wife and the entire community would know it was lunchtime. NIce became accustomed to this routine and missed the sound when the commander returned home, taking his cannon with him. Today, the cannon still sounds announcing lunch. It made us smile.
We are off to fly to Rome! We are taking Easy Jet so we are busy repacking and weighing our luggage….they are strict!