We were so happy to arrive in Nice after spending so much time in Northern Europe. This part of the French Riviera is right on the coast and has a broad promenade with a pebble-beach where you can soak in the sun. At least 10 degrees warmer than in Paris, we wore short-sleeves and loved the vacation from sweaters and scarves.
Nice has fun window-shopping (though everything closes at 7) and several theaters so we were lucky enough to find New Moon or Tentation (as it is known in France) two days before it is released in the States — sweet! It was subtitled in French but at least we learned a few new words!
We also had an in-depth conversation with former sailor in the French Navy, Phillipe (~55 years old). He approached us while we sat on a bench and with cheap beer in hand (of course), proceeded to practice his “American” with us. Apparently Clint Eastwood and John Wayne are his daily English tutors and let me just say – he had the accent down. He put us to shame with his excellent skills and we admired his steady hand with the beer. He’s traveled the North Atlantic and Indian Ocean with the French navy but he’s still 15 on the inside and sleeps with teddy bears. Most surprising though was that he didn’t want anything from us – just to talk. Totally random moment. You just never know.