My first full day in Nice has awarded me with the following observations:
1. McDonalds really is everywhere.
Jon and I went on a walk in hunt of our bank, or rather, its European partner. Within our mile walk, we saw two sets of golden arches. After finding out bank, and figuring out that we can only withdraw €100 at a time, went then continued walking until we found the beach. Yet another set of golden arches. Nice isn’t the largest city in France, we maybe walked a total of three miles?
2. Restrooms are not free.
I’ve heard this, but never really been some place where that was the case. I don’t remember this being true of Spain, and Japan was not only so long ago that I can hardly remember, but we spent the majority of our time on base anyway. I have a hard time wrapping my head around this concept. Charging for restrooms? I just have to pee, my goodness. So note to self, always pee before leaving the house.
3. I took my view of the beach at home for granted.
Jon and I found the beach, and the Mediterranean Sea is gorgeous. I have never seen water so beautiful in my life. You can see straight through it, and its so blue it looks like if you cupped some in your hands, they would be blue too. To top that off, Nice reminds me a lot of the way I’ve always pictured Santorini, only all of the buildings aren’t the same blue and white. There are mountains and hills in the distance with houses and apartments perched right on the edge. Jon and I got to wondering if the people who live here don’t appreciate the wonderful view they have. Then I started to feel bad for taking my view at home for granted. Sure, I always knew it was beautiful, and I appreciated looking at it… when I took the time. I had this mind set of “Oh, its just the canal, it’ll be there tomorrow.”
4. The coast of the Med does not have sand.
I don’t know why I’ve always assumed that resort towns have beaches with sand. I was very excited when I realized Nice doesn’t. I hate sand. Probably want keeps me from viewing the beach at home. Instead, the coast is filled with the best, softest, skip worthy rocks and pebbles I have ever seen. These don’t stick to you when you get sweaty, but they are pretty much soaking wet merely an inch deep.
5. The mountains aren’t moving.
I know, this seems like a weird thing to consider an observation, considering how impossible this would be were it true, however, it took us a moment to realize it. We forgot out cameras, and sort of freaked out for a moment, until we realized we’re going to be here for three months, we could certainly get another picture then.
Parlez Lentement. 