There seems to be a theme, or at least a time when I can write. On the train back to Paris from Nice, speeding past Lyon. David and I often talked about spending more time in or around Nice. And I still understand why. I went to Nice to meet up with an old classmate of mine from my year in Malaysia. It was great to spend time with Simon and catch up. It has been over twenty years since we saw each other. He is now living in Perth, Australia.

I spent the days at the beach across the street from the hotel. West End Hotel on the Promenade Anglais. Apparently the oldest resort hotel in Nice. Very Anglais, if you know what I mean. Stately, but has seen better days – although the prices don’t reflect that. It was perfect. The A/C was great, which was delightful after a hot day at the beach or walking. The Mediterranean was also refreshing and cool.

The waiters at the beach were great, and it was good practice speaking French. They both told me (liars!) that my French was fine. I did find that people in Nice were much more encouraging. In Paris, I find that as soon as I start speaking in French, they know I’m Americain and want to speak English. I think it is only partly because my French is painful to their ears. Mostly, they just want to be kind.

Les Jeux Olympiques! Ooh la la. On Friday evening, I was invited to dinner with the couple that Simon is staying with – Abdul and Barry. Moroccan and French. During dinner we were half watching as the countries floated down the Seine. My hosts were not thrilled about France hosting the Olympics, but by the time I left, they were watching intently. Simon walked me part way back down the Promenade, and I was back in my very cool room to catch the end of the opening ceremony.

I was a little jealous not to be in Paris, but honestly, it seemed a better option to be dry in Nice watching, and seeing everything. I missed a lot on the way back to the hotel, but picked up bits and pieces on social media. When I turned on the TV, the final legs of the flame relay were underway. We knew Celine Dion was going to be the finale, and when she started, I began to ugly cry. Not because it was Celine, I like her, but am not going to cry over it. Hymn to Love was the song David and I chose for our wedding music. Cyndi Lauper’s version.

I just deleted a whole, too long, rant about social media and some of the reactions I read – both from the left and the right. You’re welcome. Suffice to say, social media has given voice to too many morons with opinions and no self awareness.

I thought Paris and France showed the world, both with the recent election and this ceremony, that they reject isolationism. One thing that the French do well, is remind you what their ideals are. It is carved in stone everywhere – Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité. An America shares these ideals, even if we don’t always live up to them. Hopefully we will remember them in November.

Here are some pictures of Nice. Simon and I also attended a concert at Église Saint-François-de-Paule. Part of L’Oiseau Bleu Festival of Musique Classique. I put a little clip below. Very nice and thankfully there was a fan on the seat. It was hot.