That's So Nice!: Nous Sommes Arrives a Nice!!

Swimming pools, movie stars . . .

We are officially in Nice!! I am SO EXCITED to see this part of France that I want to start here, but first things first--we started the day in the lavender fields of Provence after saying good-bye to Nimes. Most of us were very excited to see the sites today, as all of us have seen those pictures in posters or on TV of the lavender fields before they are harvested--row after row of purple, waist-high flowers that smell like comfort and tranquility . . . If those things had a smell, that is . . . . Today was nothing if not a photo op, so prepare for all of us to change our profile pic to selfies in the lavender rows. We had plenty of time to get souvenirs, smell the flowers and organize several photo shoots after we watched a video that showed us all the steps in planting, harvesting, and distilling the blossoms. It takes many hundreds of pounds of flowers to make the tiniest drops of lavender extract or oil, and the growing process seems quite laborious, which really does explain why perfume is pricey. We helped out the Angelvin family today by cleaning out their gift shop--I hope your kids packed some soaps and perfumes for you to enjoy! After leaving this family farm--which also produced honey, almonds, and chestnuts, we took off for le Cote d'Azur!

A "quick ride" to the French Riviera included a stop at a Carrefour, a place alongside the road that is similar to an Autogrille, but not exactly the same. This place offered quick lunches and a little gift shop--where you can buy groceries like lunch meat and small meal supplies, but also t-shirts, books, a little medicine, a few personal hygiene products, a computer, an ipad, some snacks, ice cream, DVDs, and SO MUCH more . . . . The kids are starting to really like these places. They supplied themselves with everything they'd need for the trip down south.

So then Nice! We stopped at another place that was good to our noses--the fragrance factory called Fragonard; today was definitely the day we all smelled our best. No heat (a little thunderstorm, in fact, blew through) and we played in the perfumes for a good long time. At Fragonard, we learned the distillation process and we learned about the profession of being "a nose." A nose is a person who has studied for at least seven years to identify and mix different scents effectively. To be nose means, though, that one only works three hours a day, earning a good salary to support a living--in exchange for living a life with no coffee, no smoking, and no doing anything that might compromise his ability to be sensitive to smells. I'm pretty sure some of the kids would love to learn to be a nose if it meant returning to Fragonard every and surrounding themselves with the heavenly notes of lemon, rose, lavender, orange, patchouli, lily of the valley, and so many more . . . . I loaded up on gifts (for others AND myself . . . ) and can't wait to wear my new fragrances!

The Fragonard factory is in Nice, so from there, we took a quick bus ride to the block near the hotel, which turns out to be two blocks (or maybe three) from the actual coast! The French Riviera! Where all the movie stars gather for the Cannes Film Festival every year, and where the rich come to vacation and shop! Fortunately, a walk along Place des Anglais--the boardwalk above the beach--is free, and you can walk there even if you're not rich or famous . . . . After dropping our suitcases in our charming little rooms, we headed to a creperie and enjoyed a whole meal of crepes; a salad of crepes and goats cheese, walnuts, and a drizzle of mustard and honey, followed by a plate of ham, cheese, and egg crepes, followed by a dessert of strawberries and raspberries in crepes, topped with whipped cream. DELISH. After dinner, we had the opportunity to go visit the boardwalk or shop one more time before bed.

And here we are. Tucked away in bed, ready for tomorrow's adventure in Italy!! I want to post pictures, but alas. The wifi (or weefee, as they pronounce it here), she is too slow. I'm hoping to add pictures in the next hotel.

Bonne nuit!!