For me...
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
For me, I’ve gotten pretty comfortable here in Nice. I know where I can get a beautiful view, I know the bus system pretty well (at least, I’m confident I could get anywhere between Vieux Nice and Monaco by myself with very little difficulty if any), I know which yogurts I like to get from the grocery store, and I’m even starting to complain about the general public here (!).
My personal favorite so far is the French’s insistence on being THISCLOSE to the person nearest to them at all times, regardless of whether or not they know the other. Oh, I’m sorry sir… the 20 feet of free space in front of you on the bus isn’t sufficient? It’s necessary for you to hold onto the handrail DIRECTLY above me so your armpit can cup my cheek? It’s brilliant, really… Next time I’m just gonna tell the guy to cut out the formalities and take his seat in my lap.
My other gripes for the moment include the absurd amount of smokers in France (and from what I hear, in Europe in general), the shockingly high price of cell phones and the inconvenience it is to get on, and lastly, the fact that everything is closed all day on Sunday! Everything except restaurants anyway… I guess it could be a good thing, making people slow down and enjoy their family’s/friends’ company, but for now I want to take advantage of every minute I’m here. This does not work for me, France!
ANYWAY, it would figure that two weeks before we go back to Tampa, I start feeling a little bit of consistency and comfort in this place, about which, before we got here, I knew nothing beyond what pictures could communicate.
We’re still doing stuff – this afternoon we’re doing some shopping and tomorrow we’ll be in Eze, but despite our busy lifestyle for the moment, I feel like I’ve just started to settle - the initial shock of newness of scenery and language is over.
I’m extremely excited to see my parents and my sister and my dogs, but I’m happy. I like it here. I’m writing this from our apartment inside a castle with a view onto the entire city of Nice on a cool, sunny day. There’s about 40 people below our apartment who are swimming in the sea, a few more a little further away are kayaking, and up on the beach and onto the Promenade is teeming with life and activity.
It’s beautiful. I’ll definitely be back.
My personal favorite so far is the French’s insistence on being THISCLOSE to the person nearest to them at all times, regardless of whether or not they know the other. Oh, I’m sorry sir… the 20 feet of free space in front of you on the bus isn’t sufficient? It’s necessary for you to hold onto the handrail DIRECTLY above me so your armpit can cup my cheek? It’s brilliant, really… Next time I’m just gonna tell the guy to cut out the formalities and take his seat in my lap.
My other gripes for the moment include the absurd amount of smokers in France (and from what I hear, in Europe in general), the shockingly high price of cell phones and the inconvenience it is to get on, and lastly, the fact that everything is closed all day on Sunday! Everything except restaurants anyway… I guess it could be a good thing, making people slow down and enjoy their family’s/friends’ company, but for now I want to take advantage of every minute I’m here. This does not work for me, France!
ANYWAY, it would figure that two weeks before we go back to Tampa, I start feeling a little bit of consistency and comfort in this place, about which, before we got here, I knew nothing beyond what pictures could communicate.
We’re still doing stuff – this afternoon we’re doing some shopping and tomorrow we’ll be in Eze, but despite our busy lifestyle for the moment, I feel like I’ve just started to settle - the initial shock of newness of scenery and language is over.
I’m extremely excited to see my parents and my sister and my dogs, but I’m happy. I like it here. I’m writing this from our apartment inside a castle with a view onto the entire city of Nice on a cool, sunny day. There’s about 40 people below our apartment who are swimming in the sea, a few more a little further away are kayaking, and up on the beach and onto the Promenade is teeming with life and activity.
It’s beautiful. I’ll definitely be back.
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