Looking out from my beautiful lavender room with a spectacular view of the Mediterranean Sea and Promenade des Anglais in Nice, I began to notice a change in the weather. When I had arrived two days earlier, it was a bit cloudy, not much of a breeze and it felt warm at night. Now, I began to hear planes approach the airport over the hotel rather than off in the distance as I had observed in the previous days. Soon, a cool breeze started coming in through the open glass door and the ocean was no longer calm, waves were crashing on the beach and the water was a deep blue, giving credence to the name Côte d’Azur. The flies that had been hanging around were gone too. My thoughts were of the seafarers of old, waiting for favorable winds to leave port and set sail to destinations around the Mediterranean Sea. I had arrived in Nice via the train from Avignon with beautiful scenery all along the way. This was my first view of the Mediterranean and as a Californian Christmas by the sea felt right at home. The Palm Trees, visible from my balcony were lit with colored lights and were my holiday trees!
I was here to relax and view the wonderful scenery! I walked down the Promenade des Anglais and sat on the beach with a cool drink in the warm sun. I wandered through the ‘Village de Noel’ and took a lovely ride with beautiful views on the La Grande Roue. Finding myself at the Parc du Chateau where the elevator was not working, I climbed the stairs to find a pretty waterfall and panoramic views of Nice and the Mediterranean Sea.
It was my birthday during the week I spent here and decided on a little excursion that day. I walked to the Nice Ville train station and bought a ticket (3.60 € with return) to Villefranche Sur Mer, a six minute ride! I wandered through the empty cobblestone streets, along the waterfront and through the Citadel. It was a bit cloudy but an enjoyable day.
I spent my remaining time, relaxing in the warm Mediterranean climate and thinking about the last six weeks I had been in France. I have wanted to live in France for a long time and began to wonder if that dream would ever become a reality. My three months in the EU almost over, it was time to return to California. It is nice to be in Nice.
