I have decided the best thing I can do for myself is to just relax and take this week to get to know my way around the city, practice using French (saying it in your head is a lot different than out loud, to a person, who is waiting), getting into the time zone, and doing all the little touristy things here.


Source: Phlegrean

I think I was putting a lot of pressure on myself to do Stuff (ya know, important sight-seeing, life-changing travel type Stuff?) and I was feeling pretty let down by myself for not doing a whole lot, although I am definitely out of my comfort zone. My sleeping and eating patterns can attest.

Mostly I've just been doing what I did the first day, going to the grocery, walking around a lot, reading, going to McDonalds for internet... Luckily, I do have the luxury of time, so I can really soak up the culture here. Although I am worried I am going to look back and wish I had done more Stuff. I dunno, I mean, I've never been much for the touristy things anyway.

This morning I went for a run around the city, down a different way than yesterday (yesterdays walk was not great, I went north and west and theres not much up there to see unless you like fairly unappetizing-looking middle eastern food stalls and the like). I ran past the library, the modern art museum, into the old city, through the Cours Saleya, onto the Promenade des Anglais, and then back through the streets after the Palace de le Mediterranee. I didn't run the whole time because my knee was achy, but it was definitely a workout, which will hopefully help my sleep tonight.

After stopping in to McDonalds for free wi-fi in the middle of lunch rush, picking up some more SFR credits for my mobile (which I figured out to to use after much confusion and listening to the french instuctions on the phone multiple times), dealing with my Kindle issues (ugh) and getting a few more groceries, I headed home. The plan was to relax for a bit, eat some more cheese and wine, and to head down to the Promenade for sunset to write some, maybe read, take some pictures.

I got there and the sky was beautiful, but I sadly realized that because of the direction Nice faces, the sun doesn't set over the water at all, so sunrise is definitely a better time to go down there for views. Maybe tomorrow I can get up early enough to climb Castle Hill for sunrise? More likely that I will still be up, at my going rate.



Anyway, as I was sitting there enjoying the scenery, a man came up and kept trying to make conversation with me in French/Italian, although I was clearly not wanting to talk to him. I swear, not one single person has bothered me at all here until this guy, and of course he tells me he's Italian (and a doctor? massuse? something?). After he started asking too many questions and was scooting too close on the bench for my comfort, I told him I had to meet my friends (I think? That's what I tried to tell him in French, I am always doubting what I actually said after the words come out of my mouth) and jetted so I didn't really get a chance for any pictures (except one of that tall metal thing - not sure what it is? art?) but I put a few I found on Flickr for you :)


Source: jimg944

I stopped into McDonalds again (AH need internet!) on my way home, but the internet wasn't working at that location. Although, I was pretty much surrounded by Americans, which is kind of sad I think. I know I sure as heck wouldn't be if it weren't for the wi-fi (prounounced wee-fee in French, haha).

I am just trying to relax and not worry so much about the French judging me for my poor French speaking skills - at least I am trying right? It's almost like a constant mind game here - what does that say? What is this person asking me? How can I even try to say what I want with the vocabulary I have? Why do I remember the word for tie (cravat) in French, but can't remember so many other important things? Why would I need to talk about a tie anyway? Haha, you see where I'm going with this right?

Now I am sitting at the apartment, getting ready to relax with a book and hopefully go to bed early, wishing I didn't have the kind of wine opener that you have to use your own strength to pull out the cork, cause I sure as heck can't get the bottle of wine I bought today to cooperate.