Our first two full weeks in Nice have came and gone quickly, so I thought it was due time to post another update for all our friends following us on this journey! The first week that we were here we mostly walked around the town making sure that if either of us wanted to venture out on our own we would be able to find our way back to the house. If any of you know my sense of direction you will understand how this was very important to me. (When I lived in Ohio I use to have my mother draw me maps with landmarks so I knew I was going the right way to Columbus. That way I did not end up in Cleveland or Cincinnati!) So yes I had to get some landmarks set in my head so I could always find my own way home.
We decided to venture to what I would refer to as the Target of France, Carrefour, to purchase some of the items we decided we could buy here instead of hauling them in our luggage. When we entered the store my body sort of went into sensory overload or maybe even culture shock. This was the first time it hit me that I do not speak a word of French, and if it were not for my partner whose first language is French I think I would have been lost.
After the initial shock and panic attack I got my head on straight and from that point on I was like a kid in a candy store. I wanted to walk down every aisle and see all the different products and labels. It became obvious when were went looking for a specific food item that not all things that Americans know carry over into other cultures. I think we spent about 45 minutes to an hour looking for peanut butter and oats to discover that they are not popular in France, but Nutella is like the Peter Pan of France, and if you want oats (considered animal feed in Europe) buy Muesli cereal.
Towards the end of our shopping experience we discovered that our eyes were bigger than our bags. In Nice you either bring your own reusable bags from home or you purchase each individual bag you need, and you bag your own groceries. So we had to venture back and buy a canvas cart to carry our goods back to the house. What we thought would only be a few hours at most ended up being a 5-hour shopping experience (my partner hates shopping but was a trooper for me! Thanks Babe!!) After that exciting trip we decided to take the light rail back to the house by that time it was dark and the city was lit up and very active but we were exhausted.
The following day we decided to visit Old Nice. We started off by walking along the Mediterranean Sea watching the locals fish, and not more then 10 minutes after we were on our way the rain started but being the troopers we are we continued toward our goal to see Old Nice and grab a bite to eat. Once we arrived in Old Nice it was visually stimulating to see all the small alleys in between buildings just like in the movies, and down every alley there was a little store or a restaurant. There were very few that had advertisements leading you to their business. For the most part I felt you would have to stumble upon them to know that they were even there.
Fortunately for us we did stumble upon the La Plassa Brasserie-Pizzeria at 1, Place Vielle 06300 Vieux-Nice (in case you wanted to Google map it). Fred and I both had a salade Niçouse, which was to die for. It was served with fresh bread. For the salad there were spray bottles of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. With the bread came the most amazing spice-infused olive oil; just thinking of it again makes my mouth water.
We also ordered two main dishes. My partner ordered gnocchi au gratin, which was prepared with an amazing gorgonzola cheese sauce that was so heavy and heavenly at the same time. I ordered the calzone because I wanted to see the difference in what I am familiar with and boy was I surprised! The calzone was filled with cheeses, pine nuts, ham, egg, and a garlic butter sauce, and the dough was very thin and light not a heavy thick crust like I am accustomed to.
Afterwards we decided to just venture out and see what all there is to see, which led us to Sainte-éparte cathédrale et monument du baroque niçois. Fred and I went inside (unfortunately no photography was permitted) but the architecture was amazing. While inside we decided to light a candle for my grandmother and my friend in Ohio who was in the hospital at the time. From there we walked around taking in the scenery snapping some photos, and then retired back to the apartment.
As for this last week we basically only ventured out of the apartment to get some groceries. The weather was cold and rainy the entire week and my partner came down with a cold and was out of service the entire week. I tried my best to help when I could but for the most part we stayed in separate rooms of the house because he did not want me to catch it. Below I have attached the link for the first round of pictures hope you all enjoy. There will be more to come soon, as Thursday we depart by train for Florence, Italy to spend the American Thanksgiving Holiday!
Hope you are all well
Robbie & Fred
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