Nice is Nice

A couple hours after our Estimated Time of Arrival, Conor and I arrived to our sweeeeet hotel in Nice, which was convenient both to charming Old Town and to the beach. As we speak, my face is peeling in a similar manner to the paint on the Berlin wall because Conor and I insisted we spend an unhealthy amount on the beach our first day. I blame terrorists and TSA for my burn because it prevented me from bringing the over 3.5 oz bottle of SPF 40 my mum so urgently pressed in my hand pre-departure.

We ate what I judge as my best dish in Europe so far that night at a sweet restaurant in the old section of Nice. It was a salad nicoise, which has a salad with a light vinegarette surrounded by small-brownie size squares of Nice specialities - one made of a flaky pastry dough and spinach, one with egg, and another with eggplant. Then there was a small glass of ratatouille as well, which I had been dying to try, partially because I like to try new things and local specialties, but mostly because of the new Disney movie. It was wonderful, and apparently easy to make, so I will have to get on that. Our dining neighbors were a wonderful couple about our parents ages, Joey and Glenda. They enjoyed the youthful dynamic between Conor and I and we enjoyed their stories, Joey´s hearty laugh, and Glenda´s insistence that we visit Wales. Naive travel mistake number 1 of the trip: we were too sheepish to get their information (even an email address) that would have allowed us to meet up with them again for a meal if we came to their area. Conor and I pledged after watching them walk away, that the next time we would make a concerted effort to overcome our shyness (on that front at least) and get their contact info. We also pledged to find an international detective upon our arrival in NY to track them down.

We took a day trip to Monaco, which was interesting, because it is always entertaining to speculate why people would need a Mercedes Benz, three boats, and two wave runners with a crew of 10 on a yacht. We strolled on the wide streets, dodged tourists, and enjoyed more local food, the sights from the highest point in Nice and the sun before heading to rainy Berlin.