Nice is nice.

I am learning things over here.

The other day, I was just doing some grocery shopping, picking up a few things for lunch and dinner, and I picked up a mango. A very much un-ripe mango, but it was on sale for a very good price. So, this dumb mango is still way too hard to eat, and I have been lugging it from city to city. Lesson learned: Don't buy something just because it is on sale.

I think my exhaustion and hunger caught up with me when I arrived in Nice. With only sleep and food on the brain I find myself doing nothing but stuffing my face and sleeping here. I guess the last couple weeks of bread-fasts, forgetting about lunches, and pretty weak attempts at dinners have caught up with me. 

Upon my arrival last night, I toured a bit through town and decided to go out and eat a good hot meal. I opted for a small cafe-pub like place and had a massive bowl of Spinach Ravioli stuffed with goats cheese and mozzarella, with a side of red wine and baguette, of course. This- I devoured. While watching a rugby game on the big screen, the meal couldn't have gone over better. I can't say it was anything unique to Nice, but they sure do know how to make ravioli! 

It was a deep bowl ok?

One of the best things in Nice (and most of the other European cities so far) is the way all the restaurants and cafes spill out into the streets. People here just want to watch other people, and be a part of the action. I guess they don't have a Canadian climate to deal with, but even so, most of the places have some sort of cover for weather protection. Some in Paris were even glassed in! It is funny, but in France, the chairs are even lined up facing the street, like an auditorium  for the action, while the people walking by are the show. 

In Paris..

So far today I have had just under a litre of green tea, a can of orange juice, 2 coffees, and 1L of tropical fruit juice.. I must have been thirsty! As for food, I wandered by a small restaurant this morning that advertised 'American Breakfast'... ? I decided against crepes (I know.) and went for the so called American Breakfast. I think I was more just interested in what they classify as an American Breakfast... 

Well, it was close! Although I really do love the bacon they have here, not fatty and not greasy. The eggs were a little slimy, even the white parts, but I finished it. It was delicious! But when they say 'served with toast', they really mean: 'served with baguette'. A mini one, single serve.. :P I again, devoured the entire plate including the baguette. Now when they say the French like to take thier time in the morning, have an espresso and a smoke over quality conversation, they really do mean it. In all this time that I was stuffing my face, two 

gentlemen, who arrived before me, had one espresso each.. and I still left first. They must not have jobs...

People don't lie when they say Nice is nice. It really is! Not a huge city, I have been here a day and already I have the old part memorized, and the new part by landmarks such as McDonalds and the train station. There is a small port, a long beach and some high end hotels and shopping. As well as the usual old church and high point that you MUST hike up to for the great view. I think you must be able to tell that I am finding all these port cities quite similar. For the first time in Nice I did NOT hike up to the highest point to look down. Lacking energy and motivation in Nice, I found myself laying on the beach and wandering through the old streets for most of the day. With big intentions to go to Mamac, the modern art museum, (thats houses some famous pieces like the Campbell Soup Can thingy by Andy Worhal) I found it to be closed on Mondays. Should have looked into that!

Tomorrow, bright and early I am off to Florence, Italy. Leaving Nice at 7:23am and arriving in Florence at 4:00pm. What a day! As for this evening, I still have a mug of green tea to finish, and then to try and fit everything back in my bag, yet again.

Bonsoir tout la monde! Thanks for reading :)

shannon xx

p.s Angie? How's my French?

Fish stew? ...No, Merci.

I'd rather lick Nutella off my Spork anyday!


Marseille is the birthplace of the interesting dish known as Bouillabaisse, a variety of fish stew or soup. Yummy? Wouldn't know.. I didn't have the guts to try it! I wish I could say I did just for the purpose of this blog, but it just did not appeal to me, in any way. I did get close, even found a restaurant that would serve it to me, as you often need to reserve 1-2 days in advance, but I backed out and opted for microwave Carbonara. 


Bouillabaisse is a fish based soup made from a variety of cooked fish, shellfish, vegetables and different spices like garlic, basil, saffron and orange peels. Interested?


I guess way back in the day, when Bouillabaisse was founded in the port city Marseille, fishermen would come home and rather than cooking the expensive fish, they would use the more common, bony fish they couldn't use in restaurants and boil them in sea water with garlic and other spices. Even more appealing now.. :P


Even so, I cannot say it isn't good, because I honestly don't know. But to try some authentic Bouillabaisse, head on down to Marseille. As for the rest of the city, it is very pretty. Not too much there, The Notre Dame, some other churches, and a breathtaking view for sure. 

I was only planning on a quick visit in Marseille, 2 sleeps and an early getaway, but I really liked the hostel at my first arrival, and quickly booked an extra night before I even knew what was in the city. I would say one day is good to see everything you need to see. I ended up spending my days walking around, sitting in the sun for hours, and learning the Australian versions of a few card games. 


From Marseille today, I took the train a little further down the southern coast to Nice. They were right- Nice is very Nice. The sun was shining, the palm trees are back! And there is certainly no snow here. Have not seen much yet, but wandered down to the so-called pebbly beaches where I found rocks, not pebbles. Smooth rocks I guess but still, very large pebbles. 

One of the best parts of travelling in this way, is seeing the countryside out the window of a train. I mean unfortunately sometimes you get a horrible seat where a kid sticks his lollipop in your hair and his grandmothers teeth fall in your lap, but when you look beyond those things and check out the country side, it really is quite beautiful. Even if (along my recent route) you just see the inside of the mountains, with a quick flash of the Sea every now and then, you find yourself staring at your reflection until the little flash of daylight comes back. Yes- the train can stink, but just as often it smells alright.


Heading to Italy next, not 100% sure where yet. Any suggestions?


Food to eat before I leave France:
NO Bouillabaisse
Crepes
and Vin Chaud... thats up for debate. 


As for now, back to my Nutella! Bonsoir :)
shannon xx