Ratatouille

This is MaMere writing tonight. My first blog ever. I came to Nice early for some quality mother-daughter bonding time and what a time I've had! I arrived on Friday and Becky has been introducing me to Nice. I instantly fell in love with this place and can see why Becky would have chosen this place to study abroad. I could retire here. It's beautiful; it's quaint; it's historic; it's exciting; it's fun! I love the outdoor markets, the outdoor cafes on a warm evening, the enchantment of Nice. Right now I'm listening to a group eating outside singing Happy Birthday in English. There's a restaurant right below Becky's window. Last night it was Happy Birthday in another language. So different but the same.

This morning I jogged along the Promenade des Anglais which runs along the Mediterranean Sea. How blessed am I to run next to the sea on a beautiful warm day, with waves crashing with a gentle breeze. God is good! What else can I say.

Later today Becky and I went shopping.Why is it that the same store in Wisconsin isn't as exciting and filled with beautiful things as the store here? I found the perfect winter coat. Do I need a winter coat here-don't think so, but I do in Wisconsin--so of course, I got it. Well it will be cold when I get off the plane back in Wisconsin so I guess that's it's ok then.

On the way home, we came across what must be the equivalent of National Night Out or Fire Prevention Week. There were all sorts of displays by the fire and police departments.  The Fire Department was giving kids rides on the tall ladder trucks-showing the kids was it was like to be rescued from a tall building. There were police on horseback, an exhibition showing how dogs are trained to get the "bad guy' and enviromental issues. Here's Becky holding hands with Enviro Man (the latest action hero) just kidding.

 This evening Becky and I walked along the Pomenade des Anglais until we found a restaurant that we both liked: The Cocodile. We both thought it was crocodile and what a cute name it was--but now we know it didn't have anything to do with a crocodile. I don't even know what it means. Oh well... I had a hamburger (not sursprising) with American Fries which we would have called French Fries. Isn't that funny?

On the way home, Becky rented a bike from the Velo Bleu and rode along the Promenade while I jogged. We switched for awhile, but I'm a better runner than a biker. Enough said.

 Almost home and we were walking down an alley (sounds scary) but there are lots of alleys here and we see a rat! A little bit exciting cause we thought of Ratatouille and oh, --- how cute. But as we walked down the alley further, there were many more rats! We saw at least 5 at one time! One was chasing another. We watched them go in and then out of the drain pipe. At one time we both screamed because we thought they were headed straight for us, but it was just one chasing the other. A waiter came out to see what the commotion was--just 2 girls screaming because of rats. Probably nothing new to him. Ewwwww. I'll probably have nightmares tonight. But I still love Nice. Can't wait till Dick gets here so we can enjoy it together. On the day he is supposed to arrive, there is a transportation strike planned. Don't know if he'll be able to get there. We will just have to figure that out. That's my first 2 days in Nice. Oh my French isn't too good. I can read it better than I can speak but with Becky I am surviving and learning.

 Bon Soir,

MaMere