THE SUN FINALLY CAME OUT! It kept going in and out during class, and we were concerned for a while that it would go away for good, but it stayed!
So Jon and I decided we’d finally head over to the Cathédrale Orthodoxe Russe Saint-Nicolas de Nice. It was a long walk, but considering that we’ve been cooped up for a while, we welcomed it.
The cathedral was gorgeous. I’ve always wondered why all churches can’t be as beautiful and as colorful as those in Russia, but alas, I guess maybe that’s what makes us appreciate them- their rarity. After gaping up at the top for a few minutes, we proceeded to the entry, only to find a rather unwelcoming sign: Entrée €3. Why should I have to pay to enter a church? But alas, I felt compelled to see the inside, given how beautiful the outside was, so we paid.
Now, construction for this cathedral started in 1903, and ended in 1912, and I’m sure the paintings on the wall and copula were stunningly vibrant then, but the last 99 years has certainly taken its toll on the place. I found the inside a little underwhelming, despite the abundance of gold at altar. This probably wasn’t helped by the fact that there was a tour bus full of people inside, which was small to begin with (despite the fact that it’s the largest Russian Orthodox cathedral outside of Russia). To make matters a little worse, pictures were not permitted inside the church. I know this is usually a matter of respect, but isn’t the fact that it has souvenirs and an entrance fee disrespectful too?
Well, at least we could still take pictures of the outside, which we spent a good while doing. It was gorgeous. The plot of land surrounding it was also full of life off all different sorts. There were so many different kinds of trees, from all different climate zones too. It was a little crazy, but definitely made it appealing. The grass was perfectly green and filled with little white and purple flowers. We spent a good while enjoying the scenery, and then decided that it was time to visit the beach.
The wind on the Promenade des Anglais was relentless, and freezing, but it was approaching the 4 o’clock hour, so the sun was no longer keeping you warm. The Med had waves on it like I’ve never seen, and there were a few pairs of people flying kites. Once my fingers and toes went numb, it was time to return home. It felt so good to get out today.
If only I could count on it being as beautiful tomorrow for the Bataille des Fleurs. *crosses fingers*
Bonne journée!
Parlez Lentement. 