Corndogs + Avocados

I know, finally!

The last day was the best because it was nearly all free time! That means the students wander in groups of at least 3 (usually more like 10 - they tend to clump), each group with a cell phone and a time and place to meet for dinner all together. That also means that the teachers get to wander solo if they are so inclined. I wanted to rent a bike and pedal all over kingdom come, so I was obliged to go solo.

Slept in a little and then went for a long long jog down the Promenade, through the flower market on Cours Saleya and up and all over the Coline de Château. The Coline de Château is tiered with parks, trails, a waterfall, churches, cemeteries, and eventually cramped little houses along narrow streets. At the top is a restaurant that I would visit if I were ever to go back.

Then I rented a bike. There are a couple of places to rent from, but no matter where you go the bikes are pretty darn crappy. But they work and they’re cheap! So we’re off!

First, I huffed back up to one of the highlights of the trip, the two cemeteries I had trotted past earlier. I love to visit cemeteries wherever we go. They are fascinating, and this cemetery did not disappoint.

Statues galore. This one might be my favorite. And yes, they are completely life-size.

I’ve never seen grieving statues like these.

This one seemed very pioneer-esque to me.

This is also one of my favorites.

I love the woman’s stance at the top of this tomb. Is she looking towards the coming of our Savior? Whatever she is anticipating, she really means it.

I love this one, but I have to admit I find it a little comical. I hope that was the intention! Whatever your opinion, she sure is unique. And she has a great view.

Aunt Bessy! She looks so friendly and so happy.

I would love to know the story behind this sculpture. This is no trivial work.

The Jewish cemetery was smaller and many of its inhabitants are more humbly memorialized.

Well, not everyone.

Can someone explain this to me? Are these all other relatives who were buried here later?

Does anyone know about the symbolism here?

Last question. It almost seems like the thing inside is a soft drink. Anyone able to explain?

According to the fates, next on my agenda was to get a bit lost. In my wanderings I pedaled past the Musée d’Art Moderne et Contemporain more than once.

Then I really got lost trying to find the Chagall museum. And by the way, inland Nice is very hilly. I’m surprised I didn’t pull something huffing up and up and up and oops! the wrong way and up some more and then a little circle and down to go back up. I finally figured out that my map was only good for the coastal-most streets and completely ignored huge swathes of neighborhoods inland. Rats. I was on my one. But it was an excellent chance to practice my French! And luckily there were many kind-hearted souls out that day.

It was worth all the toil. The museum is small, but if you are a Chagall fan like I am, you’ll be pleased. Admission is free if you are a teacher by the way. Wahoo!

I finally ordered a Croque Monsieur. Yuuuuuummm. Really, anything slathered with cheese and béchamel sauce is going to be good.

There is also a Matisse museum nearly around the corner from the Chagall museum, but being lost had devoured a bit more of my time than I had allocated for it, I’m not an enormous fan of Matisse (sorry!) and I heard it wasn’t as good as the Chagall one.

I again got lost, as I had already accepted I would, and rode past this church of Jean d’Arc on my way to my final destination. Don’t ask me where it is. I’d have to ride in circles for an hour with my eyes shut to find it again.

My final goal was the Russian Orthodox Cathedral, also called the Eglise Russe or Cathédrale Saint Nicolas, consecrated in 1913. It was AMAZING. I haven’t seen many, if any of these. The inside is nearly completely covered in gold and stones and positively shines. There is a great laminated self-tour as you walk in, available in many languages. I highly recommend stopping here (especially if you have never seen anything like it).

Note: No photography allowed inside. The interior walls and ceiling that were not covered in gold, copper or bronze were a darkish-colored wood often decorated with enormous pastel colored murals, a happy blue being the most dominant color. There were innumerable icons covered in “riza” displayed throughout.

Yeah, trying to take a photo of one’s self while biking is not as easy as it looks. But it is at least twice as ridiculous as it looks. I’m just glad no one honked while I was trying to do this or I would have hit a pole I’m sure.

And finally, this must be the coolest thing about France - Nutella, crackers and peach juice to go. (P.S. Do NOT buy sushi in the Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport - it is TERRIBLE! Buy lots of these snack packs instead.)