Today we had a trip to Nice which is about 25 ish minutes from Antibes. Mon dieu! Nice is overwhelming (Our advisor, Kristin, said it was about 20x as big as Antibes and the fifth biggest city in France, Paris of course being number 1). Beautiful of course and some great history to go along with our travels, Europeans used to travel here during the winter time for the warm weather, along with people suffering from tuberculosis even though it is counter productive because humidity would be bad for them. A lot of Italian influence not only because of the proximity but also because it has not always been French. It wasn't really until the 60s when Americans started flocking to Nice did anyone really start to go swimming or lay on the beach, Europeans didn't find that too interesting. The Matisse museum was interesting, I don't understand art, but I can appreciate it. Although I felt like most of the pieces could have been scribbled by anyone, but what do I know?
The travel to and through the city was hectic, the tram from the train station and the bus from the tram to the museum was too packed to sit down. And we stood on the bus for about 15 minutes before it went anywhere because it was the end of the shift for the driver and she was waiting for the replacement. Aughhh! These modes of transport were so busy that we hardly had room to grab a handle bar to steady ourselves. A lot of the time we were falling on one another and at one point I nearly fell backwards and cracked my head!
I took some great photos at the Matisse museum, until I found out that it was not permitted! I felt bad, but there certainly weren't any signs forbidding it until halfway through, maybe it's halfway okay? Ha. There are also some great roman ruins by the Matisse museum, and you all know how I love that. After being up there we took another bus back to the old town of Nice and got some gelato, then walked to the sea front. So beautiful! 7 of us opted to stay behind and shop, and we decided to go for the main stretch of shops versus the boutiques in the old town. However all the stores on the main street were advertising SOLDES (sales) at crazy discounts, however these were mostly cheap looking clothes for not that cheap. (Pas cher). A few of us got tired of shopping and around 630 decided to head for the trainstation. Certainly was an interesting train ride back, the train was so packed the doors barely closed and in either direction people were clumped together. Again there was no chance to grab a handle bar and I knocked into a few people and said Pardon, desole, as soon as that happened.
Most people speak french here but there are many travelers from many different regions of the world, so it's very easy to get into the habit of parler francais, however, many also know english and are very willing to help by speaking english, but I was able to successfully buy cigarettes and stamps today by asking in french. It was so fluid! It felt natural! Lots of work still, but it's a little progress.
Some of the other girls have been asking us to go out to the bars and such with them, and I just got asked to go to a beach party in Cannes! Sounds exciting but I'm really tired from Nice and might still be jet lagged.
Oh yea, Jenn, my roommate Alexa looks and acts just like you! It's so funny and comforting. Ironic that I'd come halfway around the world to meet a duplicate of you!
I don't know what else to add, it's 9pm and I'm ready for bed. Bon soir!
Pictures to come soon!
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