Côte d’Azur

I didn't come to France with any travel expectations.  I knew that when Mom and Kristie came over we would travel around Île-de-France and regions slightly to the North and West, but other than that I had no plans to see the rest of the country.  I can now say how happy I am that I was wrong in this assumption.  The Parisians have this saying, and while the exact French translation escapes me right now, it goes something like: There is Paris and then there is the rest of France, implying that the rest of this beautiful country just doesn't compare to the capital.  Wrong!  I love Paris and the excitement of the city, but there is something absolutely blissful about leaving it.

I escaped Paris this weekend to go to warm and beautiful Nice.  I'm glad that we all decided to do this trip because, quite frankly, the rain was starting to get to me, and Nice ended up being the perfect destination, considering that it has an average of 300 days of sunlight a year.  Thank goodness.

After an eventful Friday of visiting the Paris Catacombs (Creepy!), the Musee du Louvre, and my first adventure of doing laundry in France, Kaley and I set out on Saturday morning for Nice to meet up with our friends.  We traveled by train, but not just any train, but the TGV.  Every French textbook has a chapter or lesson about travel and the TGV is always included.  I felt giddy being able to actually ride this famed high-speed train throughout the majority of the country.  It was way too cool.  Also, to make everything 20x better was that when we booked our tickets the cheapest seats were in first class.  We were riding in style.  It was an early train however, and I ended up being knocked out for the first 2 hours of the ride, which ended up being much of the French countryside that I wanted to see.  I was a little upset until we started traveling along the coast.  The view was unbelievable.  Traveling between the Alps and the Mediterranean was absolutely gorgeous.  I felt like I was living out an episode of "House Hunters International".  There are so many episodes that take place in that region and they're all gorgeous.  I can just see myself on that show: Single, 20something, and broke, looking for a Villa in the South of France that won't break the bank.  Yeah, right.  I can keep dreaming. 

We arrived in Nice around 3 pm, walked about 2 blocks down the road and were already at our Hostel.  Kaley and I threw down our luggage and quickly put on our swimsuits and headed for the beach.  Oh my!  I have never seen so many different shades of blue in one single body of water.  It was unbelievable.  For about 2 hours we swam and sunbathed.  It was heaven.  We returned to the hostel around 6, showered up, met our 6 other roommates and headed out to dinner with one of them, Peitra, who was an Au Pair from Canada.  She was so nice and took us all around Vieux Nice by the water for dinner.  This is where I instantly fell in love with the city.  The food is amazing!  Just imagine all your favorite French cooking and cuisine with an Italian twist.  Yumo!  I was in heaven.  I had the most unbelievable pasta with zucchini, tomatoes, and pine nuts.  The three of us split this divine bottle of rose wine too.  I was content.  The restaurant we went to was so beautiful and the people were so nice.  They even brought us over these lemon shooters free of charge.  I need to find out where to buy this drink.  It was amazing.  After our delectable meal, the three of us headed back to the Hostel for a champagne party.  Most everyone who was staying there that night was there and we all bonded and chatted over champagne.  It was here that we met up with our other friends as well as made many other acquaintances.  I was shocked by how many Canadians and Australians that were there, but my new favorite friend was this guy Dickson from, none other than UVa.  Small world.  We ended up all going out after the party, Dickson, Peitra, Kaley, and I.  It was a lot of fun and I was exhausted by the end of it all.

Sunday was filled with much of the same activities as Saturday: going to the beach and eating.  Like I said, heaven.
However, here is a short list of things I quickly learned about Nice beaches:

• They don't have sand beaches.  They're all rocks.  It's beautiful but a little tricky to walk on. 
• They are clothing optional.  Wow.
• The sun is very strong.

My only commentary on the *ahem* attire of some of the people there is that the French have no shame.  It is fascinating and I envy them of it.  If I was 250 pounds and 50+ you would not find me in a bikini, let alone topless and a thong.  Not really America's style.  I think we're a lot more reserved about our physical appearance than the French.  Way more reserved, actually.  I've noticed this also applies to men and their attitude towards women here too.  They are not afraid of rejection and if they see something they like they'll go after it.  It's a little disconcerting when some guy comes over and tells you you've got it going on, but at the same time it's something to be admired.  For example, when Peitra, Kaley, and I were walking through Vieux Nice last night two young men came up to us and asked us a simple question.  "Which would you prefer, a man that is cute or a man that cooks for you naked?"  Not only do I not know how to answer this question in English, but my French vocabulary does not even include such phrases.  I had to have Peitra fill me in on my missing vocab, but I got what they were saying.  Now, when they asked which one I would prefer and if we'd all go out to a club with them, we respectfully declined, but thanked them for their originality.  It was no big deal, nothing hurt in asking, I guess.  I can't even imagine this sort of scenario happening in the States without feelings being hurt or rude comments being made.  Maybe that's why I like the French so much.  (It's also a big self-esteem boost.  Haha).

Now I'm back in Paris, burnt to a crisp, and dreading my homework and going back to reality tomorrow.  I quite enjoyed my "Vacation from my Vacation".  This does mean, however, that I have now been spoiled.  I'm damaged goods and now can only vacation on the Côte d’Azur.  I think the French Riviera is quite my style, well except for what they wear or lack there of...It's perfect for me really though.  It's a perfect combination of so many great things: France & Italy, the mountains & ocean, the old and new, etc.  I can see myself getting comfortable with such things.  Now I just have to find the money to make this obsession a reality.  All I know, is that I've only been gone for 8 hours and I already need to go back.