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Oct. 6, Sunday: First Full Day in Nice.

Actually, I will begin this blog post with Friday night, our last night in Bormes-les-Mimosas. S and T joined Cathy and I in a celebration and farewell dinner at a restaurant at the top of our hill called the Belle Vue. Unfortunately, the night was cold and there was a fierce wind blowing and rain was threatening (it did finally rain during that night). So we ate inside the restaurant rather that out on the patio and the “belle vue” was not to be seen. But we had a fabulous time and lots of laughs. We will miss S & T, also Nicky and Mick and all the other wonderful people we met while we were “living” there for a month. It was an enriching experience in more ways than I’ve had time to write about. I was sad to leave, yet looking forward to the next leg of my adventure. On Saturday morning, Mick drove us to the bus stop in Le Pin, which took us to Toulon where we got on a train to Nice.   Cathy and I arrived in Nice on Saturday afternoon shortly after 3 p.m. We had a little bit of trouble locating the apartment because, as we discovered after much confusion, the numbers on the buildings are not in order. But we did find it and we were only 10 minutes late. The apartment is even nicer than I hoped it would be. But…and you will appreciate this, I’m sure…it is on the 5th floor and the elevator is out of service!! So, it is stil up and up and up and up and up!! Funny how certain themes are following me on this adventure.   After stowing our stuff at the apartment, we went out to walk around. It was cloudy and rather cool, so we brought an umbrella, but were pleased that we never needed it. I didn’t take any photos when we walked around, I was too overwhelmed. Nice is quite a large city – more so than I realized. So much to see! So many people! So many restaurants! We finally chose one and picked out a dinner we had never had before – I can’t even remember right now what it all was, but perhaps when I caption the photos it will come back to me. We really enjoyed the whole thing. My apartment is on a very busy pedestrian only street and the noise of people dining, talking and laughing went on most of the night. But I’m up high enough that it wasn’t too loud and I slept just fine. This morning Cathy and I went to a cafe just a couple of doors down – the Caffe Excelsior – and had cafe creme, croissant, and a roll with butter and jam – a typical breakfast here. Cathy took the bus to the airport around 9 a.m. and I went back to my apartment and did some laundry and settled in. Around noon I went out walking. I did take some photos – both of the apartment and parts of my walk. Right now I’m back at the same cafe and have ordered a salad nicoise to eat for lunch while I do this blog post. I don’t have much time, so I’m going to get busy on the photos now. I just want to add a little note here: These blog posts will probably be more full of errors than the past ones have been. Also, the writing will be more hurried, as will the choice of photos. In one of the captions I said I was eating my salad for 2 hours – make that over 2 and a 1/2 hours! Until I move to the villa on Oct. 20, I won’t have internet in my living place – I know I already mentioned it, but I’m repeating it in case anyone is just now starting to read these posts and aren’t going backwards to catch up. Doing this in cafes is truly a challenge!! So forgive me if I screw up!!
Our Farewell to Bormes-les-Mimosas Dinner: Photo One.

Our Farewell to Bormes-les-Mimosas Dinner: Photo One.

Our Farewell to Bormes Dinner: Photo Two.

Our Farewell to Bormes Dinner: Photo Two.

Sea Bass and French Fries. Farewell to Bormes Dinner: Photo Three.

Sea Bass and French Fries. Farewell to Bormes Dinner: Photo Three.

Rabbit. Our Farewell to Bormes Dinner: Photo Four.

Rabbit. Our Farewell to Bormes Dinner: Photo Four.

S & T in action. Our Farewell to Bormes Dinner.

S & T in action. Our Farewell to Bormes Dinner.

S & T again. Can you tell that we had a wonderful, fun time? Our Farewell to Bormes Dinner.

S & T again. Can you tell that we had a wonderful, fun time? Our Farewell to Bormes Dinner.

Cathy, hamming it up with her sea bass. Our Farewell to Bormes Dinner.

Cathy, hamming it up with her sea bass. Our Farewell to Bormes Dinner.

And the waiter took a photo of all of us at Our Farewell to Bormes Dinner. We will miss everyone in Bormes.

And the waiter took a photo of all of us at Our Farewell to Bormes Dinner. We will miss everyone in Bormes.

Our first night in Nice. Cathy hamming it up again. I seem to mostly drink and eat on this trip, don't I? You can get a glimpse of Nice in these photos of our first night in Nice dinner.

Our first night in Nice. Cathy hamming it up again. I seem to mostly drink and eat on this trip, don’t I? You can get a glimpse of Nice in these photos of our first night in Nice dinner.

Our dinner: a tomato stuffed with a meat mixture, an onion tart, fried eggplant, fried chick peas (looks like french fries), cod, a tomato sauce, and a small salade nicoise. We chose it because we had never had most of these things before. Definitely not my usual diet. But it was all very delicious.

Our dinner: a tomato stuffed with a meat mixture, an onion tart, fried eggplant, fried chick peas (looks like french fries), cod, a tomato sauce, and a small salade nicoise. We chose it because we had never had most of these things before. Definitely not my usual diet. But it was all very delicious.

Enjoying my food and wine my first night in Nice.

Enjoying my food and wine my first night in Nice.

We still had room for dessert! But we shared it. Creme Brulee.

We still had room for dessert! But we shared it. Creme Brulee.

Dig in!

Dig in!

A shot of the rest of the restaurant terrace and the street. I didn't get any photos of the inside of the restaurant, but it was large and inviting and comfortable. We'd both go back again for another meal.

A shot of the rest of the restaurant terrace and the street. I didn’t get any photos of the inside of the restaurant, but it was large and inviting and comfortable. We’d both go back again for another meal.

My tiny Nice apartment - the view down the narrow entryway. The bathroom is a door on the left in this little hallway.

My tiny Nice apartment – the view down the narrow entryway. The bathroom is a door on the left in this little hallway.

The bathroom of my Nice apartment.

The bathroom of my Nice apartment.

My living and bedroom: the sofa opens into a bed.

My living and bedroom: the sofa opens into a bed.

The other side of my living room/bedroom, photo taken from the kitchen.

The other side of my living room/bedroom, photo taken from the kitchen.

My little kitchen.

My little kitchen.

My balcony.

My balcony.

View #1 from my balcony, looking right.

View #1 from my balcony, looking right.

View #2 from my balcony, further left. It was cloudy this morning when I took these, and it looked like it might rain, but it didn't. The sun has come out since then, with still some clouds, but a beautiful warm day.

View #2 from my balcony, further left. It was cloudy this morning when I took these, and it looked like it might rain, but it didn’t. The sun has come out since then, with still some clouds, but a beautiful warm day.

View #3 from my balcony, looking left.

View #3 from my balcony, looking left.

View #4 from my balcony, looking straight out.

View #4 from my balcony, looking straight out.

My feet in Nice. My feet in Nice.

My feet in Nice. My feet in Nice.

I decided to start my photos on my first walk down the Promenade Des Anglais, and my first photo is of the famous Hotel Negresco.

I decided to start my photos on my first walk down the Promenade Des Anglais, and my first photo is of the famous Hotel Negresco.

The Promenade and the beach directly across from the Negresco.

The Promenade and the beach directly across from the Negresco.

A photo of the Hotel Negresco from across the street on the Promenade Des Anglais.

A photo of the Hotel Negresco from across the street on the Promenade Des Anglais.

The Hotel Negresco from the other side, taken as I looked back from further down the Promenade.

The Hotel Negresco from the other side, taken as I looked back from further down the Promenade.

A view of the beach as I walked along the Promenade.

A view of the beach as I walked along the Promenade.

These seating areas are located all along the Promenade Des Anglais.

These seating areas are located all along the Promenade Des Anglais.

A good place to stop and make some art?

A good place to stop and make some art?

This was taken about noon on a Sunday. It seems that things start later in France than in the U.S. and that it is still early. Note that there are people sunning on the beach and swimming in the water - it is still beach weather here, although not high season. Also, note the "sand."

This was taken about noon on a Sunday. It seems that things start later in France than in the U.S. and that it is still early. Note that there are people sunning on the beach and swimming in the water – it is still beach weather here, although not high season. Also, note the “sand.”

For those of you who don't already know - the beach here is rocks, not the fine sand we had at the beaches around Bormes-les-Mimosas. People don't seem to mind at all, though!

For those of you who don’t already know – the beach here is rocks, not the fine sand we had at the beaches around Bormes-les-Mimosas. People don’t seem to mind at all, though!

And one final beautiful view for you before they throw me out of this cafe. I've been eating this salad and writing this blog for two hours now. There is much more to Nice than this, that's for sure. Stay tuned for more aspects of this multifaceted city in coming days. I will probably have to keep switching cafes!!

And one final beautiful view for you before they throw me out of this cafe. I’ve been eating this salad and writing this blog for two hours now. There is much more to Nice than this, that’s for sure. Stay tuned for more aspects of this multifaceted city in coming days. I will probably have to keep switching cafes!!

Margaret Thompson
October 9th, 2013 at 9:25 am

Indefatigable! Very impressive research. Yes, that’s the art supply store I told you about- not Jerry’s, but pretty good. Glad you’re liking your apartment. Will you try going up to the villa? Off to New Orleans for wedding tomorrow and I’ve just finished packing my art supply bag so that I can practise on the plane. A bientot!

Martha
October 8th, 2013 at 10:08 pm

What an adventure! I’m sure that little balcony will be a great “studio” spot. I’m certainly enjoying your travels along with you (and without all the steps)!

Vicki
October 7th, 2013 at 9:19 pm

Catching up on the last few days of your endings and beginnings. You apartment looks great and I love that you have a balcony. I agree, all those flights of stairs mean that you can eat whenever and whatever your heart desires!!! Go for it…..

Laura
October 7th, 2013 at 11:15 am

Your apartment looks very cute and I think the stairs are a message telling you to have as much chocolate as you want!

Thanks for keeping up the blogging. Maybe you already know about this, but I found a link for free wifi in Nice. The spots are limited and may not work for you, but I suppose it’s worth a look.
http://www.gowex.com/en/nice-the-treasure-of-the-french-riviera-will-have-new-free-wifi-service-provided-by-gowex/

Marie Fortin
October 7th, 2013 at 3:24 am

The photos of food, smiles and the large hotel looks like fun.
What a cute little apartment and it has a balcony…yah.
Look forward to more blogging and photos.
See you soon.
Marie

Diane Sullivan
October 6th, 2013 at 9:17 pm

Debi, I am so enjoying your adventures! I lok forward to more, especially since you now are in Nice! Don’t forget to check out Vallauris for me! Have fun!

Elizabeth
October 6th, 2013 at 7:12 pm

Your feet look nice in Nice!

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Debi Pendell Artist by debipendell.com