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Oct. 17, 18, 19: Thursday, Friday, Saturday

Sorry I haven’t done any blog posts, things got even busier – which I didn’t think was possible. Carl arrived on Thursday around 1:30, jet lagged but wanting to keep on going so that he could turn himself around quickly to the correct sleeping and waking times here in Nice. We went to the apartment and dropped off his luggage, then we headed out so that I could show him around. First we walked to the Hotel Negresco and went in to look around – something I hadn’t done yet. I’ve posted photos with captions so you can get an idea of it. Then we walked along the Promenade Des Anglais to the old city, where we explored all the little narrow streets and alleys. Back to the Promenade Des Anglais, we chose a restaurant on the beach and had a glass of wine while enjoying the sea right there in front of us. This is something I had watched people do for 2 weeks, but decided it would be more fun if I waited for Carl – I was right. After that we found a restaurant and had wonderful, fun meal – see the photos. After a brief walk around Nice all lit up at night, Carl said, “That’s it, I’ve got to go to sleep.” It’s amazing that he lasted as long as he did and was in such a good mood. It was so good to be back together again after our 2 month separation.   The first thing we did on Friday was go find Carl a complete English breakfast. Here in France breakfast is just a croissant and coffee, or, if you want a big meal, you add a roll with butter and jam. This doesn’t work well for someone with low blood sugar, so we needed eggs and bacon and we found it. It wasn’t anything to write home about, nor to take photos of, but it served the purpose. Then we went walking along the Promenade Des Anglais, which turns into Quai des Etats Unis, which turns into Quai Rauba Capeu, looking for the flea market. We hadn’t found it yet, but we had another surprise. We knew that Karen and Gerry had arrived the same day as Carl, but we hadn’t been able to reach them – not by text or email. It was truly amazing that we ran into them on Quai Rauba Capeu! This is a rather large city, about 400,000 people, I think. What are the chances that we would simply run into them? But we did. After locating the flea market (not too interesting), the four of us stopped at a sidewalk cafe and had lunch – a decent salade Nicoise, but no photos – I have been lazy these last couple of days, haven’t I? Then we all went to Nicetoile because I needed to check my email and we didn’t go to Starbucks because it was PACKED!! Instead we had a coffee at a different cafe and I did the business I needed to to and they all chatted. That evening we parted ways and Carl treated me to my long-awaited 60th birthday dinner. The photos tell it all. A great celebration. DID get photos of that!! Saturday we packed up all our stuff and moved out of my dear little apartment and into the Hotel Ibis by the train station, which turned out to be nicer and more comfy than we expected, although still like a hotel chain with their blandness. No problem, all we needed to do is sleep there. Saturday evening we were invited to dinner by S & T and Wes & Justine. We arrived at 7:30 and didn’t leave till midnight. We had a blast. The captions tell you more. I just want to repeat again what a special and memorable evening this was for Carl and I and how much we love these people – S and T who I have gotten to know over a month’s time, but who Carl just met that night, and Wes & Justine who we both had never met before, but who we soon felt we had known for a long time. Keep on cookin’ singin’ and dancin’!!! Today is Sunday, Oct. 20, about 3 p.m. and almost all the students and their partners have arrived and are out shopping for groceries. I am in the lobby of the Ibis Hotel with Carl madly trying to finish this post before they all return. We are taking the 4:45 bus to the villa. So I will end this now. I hope to do some posts this week while I am teaching the workshop, but if you don’t hear from me it means that I was just too busy. But I will take photos and you will hear all about it at some time, I promise.
Carl wandering about the Hotel Negresco. When I first arrived in Nice I showed you photos of the outside of this hotel. For those who might not know it is a very famous place - you might like to look it up and read about it.

Carl wandering about the Hotel Negresco. When I first arrived in Nice I showed you photos of the outside of this hotel. For those who might not know it is a very famous place – you might like to look it up and read about it.

Rather impressive, no?

Rather impressive, no?

Sculpture by Niki de St. Phalle in the Hotel Negresco.

Sculpture by Niki de St. Phalle in the Hotel Negresco.

I don't know the name of the artist who did this one, also in the Hotel Negresco. Geney Levin, are you reading this post?!

I don’t know the name of the artist who did this one, also in the Hotel Negresco. Geney Levin, are you reading this post?!

One more final shot of the interior of the Hotel Negresco (sorry, a little dark). There is also more art. I could probably do an entire post on our 15 minute stroll through the public area of this hotel. But I won't. I'll just give you a taste.

One more final shot of the interior of the Hotel Negresco (sorry, a little dark). There is also more art. I could probably do an entire post on our 15 minute stroll through the public area of this hotel. But I won’t. I’ll just give you a taste.

Carl's first foray down the Promenaded Des Anglais. He can barely keep his eyes open after the long drive to JFK, 6 hour wait for his flight, flight to Heathrow, flight to Nice, and bus from the airport, but he's a trooper and just kept going.

Carl’s first foray down the Promenaded Des Anglais. He can barely keep his eyes open after the long drive to JFK, 6 hour wait for his flight, flight to Heathrow, flight to Nice, and bus from the airport, but he’s a trooper and just kept going.

Debi saying, "Carl, I've been waiting to show you all this! I'm so glad you've finally arrived!"

Debi saying, “Carl, I’ve been waiting to show you all this! I’m so glad you’ve finally arrived!”

Carl and Debi on the rocks...oh, no, no, I didn't mean THAT! Pardon the pun.

Carl and Debi on the rocks…oh, no, no, I didn’t mean THAT! Pardon the pun.

Everything is closing up for the night, but around 6:00 Carl and I sat at one of these tables and had a glass of wine as we looked out over the Mediterranean. The waves dragged rocks over rocks and made the most beautiful clacking sound.

Everything is closing up for the night, but around 6:00 Carl and I sat at one of these tables and had a glass of wine as we looked out over the Mediterranean. The waves dragged rocks over rocks and made the most beautiful clacking sound.

Thursday evening we found this fun little restaurant.

Thursday evening we found this fun little restaurant.

This was my dinner! What a presentation!

This was my dinner! What a presentation!

And this is the dessert we shared - another fun presentation!  And it was delicious, chocolate cake with melted chocolate inside with vanilla gelato and whipped cream. Good thing we shared it.

And this is the dessert we shared – another fun presentation! And it was delicious, chocolate cake with melted chocolate inside with vanilla gelato and whipped cream. Good thing we shared it.

Walking around Nice on Friday.

Walking around Nice on Friday.

My belated 60th birthday dinner on Friday night. I usually balk at fish with the head still on, but this was cooked so absolutely deliciously that I was able to ignore that blank stare. A fabulous celebration - my birthday was July 30, but I was too busy to take the time to celebrate, so Carl and I decided to save it for Nice.

My belated 60th birthday dinner on Friday night. I usually balk at fish with the head still on, but this was cooked so absolutely deliciously that I was able to ignore that blank stare. A fabulous celebration – my birthday was July 30, but I was too busy to take the time to celebrate, so Carl and I decided to save it for Nice.

The happy birthday girl, digging in (and trying to ignore that fishy look coming from my plate).

The happy birthday girl, digging in (and trying to ignore that fishy look coming from my plate).

And Justine took over the camera so that I could get into the picture. Thank you to all of you guys - Sabine, Tobias, Wes, Justine - I will miss all of you. Please let's make a point of staying in touch and finding a way to get together in the future. What a fabulous night!

And Justine took over the camera so that I could get into the picture. Thank you to all of you guys – Sabine, Tobias, Wes, Justine – I will miss all of you. Please let’s make a point of staying in touch and finding a way to get together in the future. What a fabulous night!

Left to right: Justine, Wes, Carl, Sabine, Tobias. Carl had never met any of them before, and it was the first time I met Justine and Wes - but it was as if we had all known each other for years. What a blast! These guys really rock.

Left to right: Justine, Wes, Carl, Sabine, Tobias. Carl had never met any of them before, and it was the first time I met Justine and Wes – but it was as if we had all known each other for years. What a blast! These guys really rock.

We were invited by Sabine and Tobias and Wes and Justine to dinner at the apartment they rented in Nice for their weekend visit. Wes and Justine were at Mick and Nicky's for two weeks and about the head back home to Brooklyn on Sunday. They are chefs and made us a fabulous meal. I usually photograph all the food, but there was so much talk and music and fun that I neglected my duties. Trust me when I tell you it was marvelous!

We were invited by Sabine and Tobias and Wes and Justine to dinner at the apartment they rented in Nice for their weekend visit. Wes and Justine were at Mick and Nicky’s for two weeks and about the head back home to Brooklyn on Sunday. They are chefs and made us a fabulous meal. I usually photograph all the food, but there was so much talk and music and fun that I neglected my duties. Trust me when I tell you it was marvelous!

Martha Clancy
October 22nd, 2013 at 5:04 pm

it’s Tuesday now and I’m just catching up again with your travels – sounds (and looks) so great! What a roller-coaster of experiences you are having and all sound good and interesting if no all as exciting as a roller-coaster! Hope the workshop is going well – hello to all! Martha

Jean Swanson
October 22nd, 2013 at 4:11 pm

Hi Debi, I am so anxious to hear about the workshop and wish I could have gone. It is so interesting to read about your adventures and reminds me of all my travels in Europe. Jean

Diane Sullivan
October 20th, 2013 at 5:27 pm

WOW! What fun you guys are having. Glad Carl made it safe & sound. please tell Elizabeth Smith that I got the matisse in the south of france book she recommended. I I wish I was there with all of you1

june burden
October 20th, 2013 at 2:47 pm

hi debi and carl! joe and i are in Nice yay! Can’t wait to see everyone tonight. june

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Debi Pendell Artist by debipendell.com