Nice is nice! ... Hah.
But really- I think this was one of my favorite stops yet. Ad we definitely say that at half of the stops because how do you not when you're backpacking Europe.
Day one started around 2 when we got off of the shortest traveling trip yet! So great. Our hostel was close and easy to find from the station. Once in, we walked down the Main Street that heads towards Place Massena and Old Nice to begin our explorations. Old Nice is really where most things are, it's like the culture is mainly collected just in that area by the beach. There are cobblestone streets, little shops, Marche des Fleurs (flower and produce market- so great!)
We found an authentic leather store around a corner, where the hand make sandals, purses, wallets, bracelets, etc out of different colored leather. While we were in there, I watched the owner nonchalantly talk to customers and dye a purse black.
Since all of the gladiator sandals were hand made.... I had to get a pair. Best part is, I found the pair I wanted and tried them on. The straps were loose in some areas, because I have narrow feet- this is the problem I always have when trying to buy sandals. So, the other person working there, a 22 year old girl named Juliet, had the boss fix the straps right in front of me! It was so cool, and I finally have a pair of sandals that fits my feet. And some scars from breaking in real leather sandals...
I ended up using Juliet for my France interview, so that will be in another post.
We cooked dinner when we got back, and met up with Edgar and Daniel, two of our friends that we met in Barcelona. We ended up hanging out at the beach (which is all grey rocks instead of sand) until late, enjoying the sea breeze.
The next morning, we wanted to rent bikes and go along the coast, and we invited one of our roommates, a 20year old Aussie named Daisy. Unfortunately, without a French ID, they make you pay a €250 deposit for the bikes, and putting that kind of money down on a card while you're backpacking isn't really practical. So, we walked, like always.
We first went to the castle on the hill, which gives another amazing view of the South of France. W picnicked , again, with a breathtaking view.
The water was really cold at first, but getting used to it didn't take long. Then it was just really refreshing. Well, and salty. I guess there's a difference with swimming in oceans and seas.
Another difference is the swimwear- a lot of women go topless, and most men wear a speedo style suit. I get the impression that the French are just more comfortable with their bodies and with nudity than Americans, because really either one of these swimwear options in the states would draw either negative attention (for the most part), or, well, be illegal.
We walked to the port, and up through the Antique district, a permanent feature of town. How different and cool!
I spent the rest of the afternoon at the Contemporary Art Museum, while the others walked home. The museum was honestly great- there were great installations, even outside the museum, and the roof had a great terrace surrounding it.
That night, we cooked again, and I headed out with another roommate, Sarah, to see what Nce nightlife had to offer. Most were small bars and clubs with a little bit of dancing, but probably the largest collection of people that we saw that entire night were those outside smoking in the small, cobblestone streets.
Daisy had told us earlier that day that in Australia, smoking is really on the outs. The taxes are so high, that if you were to buy tobacco and a pack of rolling sheets, it would probably be about $50?? Definitely not the case in France, where its about €5. I ended up interviewing Daisy as well, even though I'm not currently traveling to Australia, I would love to some day. And, it's just more interesting stuff for me!
The next morning, the three of us plus Daisy headed out to Monaco. The owner of the hostel told us to catch the bus at the wrong stop, so we ended up wandering a bit more than expected.
I was definitely glad I wore something nice, once I got off of the bus into Monaco. Everyone seemed to be in their best. While we were picnicking, Daisy even commented on how the pigeons looked cuter,.. I don't know about all that, but all of the buildings and the streets were neat and tidy.
We went into the Monte Carlo (and admired all of the nice cars out in front first). It was definitely nice, but going into the building almost takes some of the magic and exclusivity out of it. Because anybody can just walk in, after checking your bag and showing ID.
Anyway, we stopped at a supermarket to buy some chocolate and caught the bus back to Nice. Both bus rides were only €1 and were actually quite scenic- we drove along the coast the whole time!
When we got back, I made everyone see the terraces at the museum, since we were so close to them!
That night, the four of us met up with our roommates from the night before (they switched hostels) and hung out on the streets of Nice, on Cours Selaya, which is where hoppin' bars and restaurants seem to be.
This morning (6/9) was just a travel day. A long one.
We're in a hostel called Ostello, somewhere in the mountains of northern Italy, near le Cinque Terre national park. It's supposed to be rainy tomorrow on our long walk... We're crossing our fingers (as is everyone else at this hostel, because we all have the same plans for tomorrow!) but if it rains, we will just have to deal.
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