The Princess in the Boat--Sainte Réparate

This morning Becky and I awoke to the sound of church bells and the sound of a parade. You first heard the beat of drums and then the other musical instruments. I opened the window and leaned out to see a parade passing by. Following the musicians were the nuns, the priests, and then higher order clergy. Following them was what Becky described as the princess in the boat. Parishioners and tourists followed in the wake of the "princess." We presumed that the parade had probably come from the sea coast area and was headed to the cathedral which is near to Becky's apartment. We googled what could be going on and discovered that the "princess" is the patron saint of Nice. Here'a a link to parade: http://www.nice.fr/ Click on the video called "Sainte Réparate."

Her legend states that she was an eleven year-old girl who was arrested for her faith and tortured. She was tossed into a furnace but emerged unharmed. Later she was beheaded. Her legend states that as she fell dead, her spirit emerged from her body in the form a dove. Later elaborations of her legend state that her body was laid in a boat and blown by the breath of angels to the bay now known as the Baie des Anges in Nice.

My run this morning took me by the Port where all the ferries and luxury yachts are. No millionaires asked me to come aboard. Darn.

Later in the day Becky went to a friend's house to work on homework. After all, that is why she is here.  Becky gave me a map and the keys to the apartment and let me fend for myself. I walked to the Monoprix only to find it closed on Sundays. Becky says that it's open later in the evening but I didn't go back. I continued to walk and came upon the Chateau on the Hill that Becky previously blogged about. Great views.

View of Port

 At the restaurant I ordered an ice cream cone. Luckily the people understood me. I continued to try to find my way back down the hill; however, the maps detailing the trails weren't all that helpful. But I could see the sea and knew I had to go down to get where I wanted to. I made it back.

On my way home a man approached me with something written on it, obviously wanting me to read it. I used one of the few phrases I know in French: Je ne comprend pas. It worked. He went on his way.

I did some of Becky's laundry, using a tub and this tupperware looking thing that was used for spinning water out of the clothes by hand. Leaning out the window, I even managed to hang clothes on the clothesline.

The Spin Cycle

Tonight Becky and I went out for desert. She got an ice cream cone and I a chocolate crepe. Have to have my chocolate.

Another adventure for me tomorrow as Becky has school all day. I can hardly wait to see what awaits around the corner.