Paris Day 37: A Trip to Nice-Ville

Really, that’s the name of the train station in Nice, France. I thought it was appropriate since someone is livid that I’ve spoken publicly about my husband’s affair and I’ve been instructed to be very careful about what I write and tweet. O.o This means, I won’t be mentioning the affair after this post because I can’t.

But that’s beside the point – despite all the craziness I wrote about in my last post, things aren’t all doom and gloom. Yes, my heart’s been broken and yes, I’m struggling to make sense of what’s happened, but the good times are excellent. Waking up from a nightmare is always a good thing. Especially if there’s someone there to hold you and help wipe away the tears.

So, let’s get back to our regular programming, shall we?

Last weekend, Bug and I took a trip to the beach town of Nice. I’d written up a lengthy post about para-sailing and drinking champagne next to the sea, but WordPress ate it. Since I’m too lazy to re-do it, here is a truncated, photo-heavy version.

Nothing like ice cold champagne on a hot day to lift the spirits.

Nice has private beaches that come with waiters, chaise lounges, towels, and umbrellas; or it has public beaches which are free, but are basically piles of rocks you can spread a towel over. We chose to pay for the hotel’s private beach.

The demarcation line between the public and private beach.

A better illustration of the difference between the private accommodations and the public beach’s rocks. Bonus shot of me giving Bug the evil eye.

Before I forget, this was the view from the bed. Gorgeous, non?

I’m just a little spoiled.

We never ventured beyond the beach and the hotel. Partly, because we were too lazy, and partly, because there was no reason. We ate lunch at the beach, and breakfast and dinner on our balcony

Gratuitous bikini shot because I get up at 5:30am to go to my trainer’s and run like a mad woman. Plus, I look genuinely happy.

We were supposed to leave on Monday, but as we were checking out, Bug looked at me and asked, “Do you want to stay another day?” Ummm…yes. They gave us back our room and we promptly headed to the beach again.

He dared me to try the fish pedicure thing. It felt like dozens of weak spa jets blasting my feet and legs, and afterward, my skin felt silky smooth. Of course, when we got back to our beach chairs, I started reading about fish pedicure bacterial infections and freaked myself out.

Gross? Cool? I’m still undecided.

Before I close, I need to thank everyone who reached out via direct message and email to give me support and/or share their stories after my last post. Knowing I’m not alone helps make everything a little more bearable.

Okay, on to finishing Nightingale edits!

Paris Day 27: The World’s Most Expensive FAX

Ever hear the one about the man who needed to fax something but couldn’t find an internet cafe near his wife’s therapist so he booked a room on the Champs Elysee JUST TO USE THE BUSINESS CENTER since it was for guests only?

Yeah. That would be my husband.

In all fairness, I wasn’t feeling well after our appointment and the thought of not having to stand on the Metro for twenty minutes appealed to me. Plus, Bug had errands in that neighborhood later in the day, so in a not-so-sensical way, it made sense to just stay in a hotel for the night.

However, we had no clothes or toiletries and I think the staff thought we were either 1. Insane; or 2. Illicit lovers. They kept giving me knowing smiles and laughing at us. The business center host, upon seeing us return after she shoo’d us away because we weren’t guests, actually stared at Bug slack jawed when he flashed her the room key. So, yes, it was slightly insane, but Bug was able to fax his forms and I got to watch the cringe-worthy Young Adult on pay-per-view while he was out. Even better, he returned with macarons for me, so all-in-all, it was a win 😀

Today, instead of going straight home, we meandered around satisfying our mutual love of jewelry and watches. Dear God, where has the Rue de la Paix been all my life? Seriously, Panerai, Van Clef & Arpels, Tiffany, Cartier…it was sparkly sensory overload, but I somehow managed to get through it and pick out a ring I loved. Only problem is that it has to be shipped from Germany or something because no one in France carries the size or color I want.

As we wandered around, I became more aware that I had lived in this dress for about thirty-six hours and quite possibly smelled terrible despite showering. Plus, at this point, the dress may have very well been able to walk around on its own. Still, for a 7 euro H&M dress, I have to say, it held up very well. Didn’t bag out or lose its shape.

A little blurry, but you can see the shape.

BIRDS (and yes, it’s in need of an iron)

And because it’s awesome: A giant macaron.

Tomorrow, I think I may drag Bug on a tour of the Opera or the Catacombs since I need to do a little research for my next book. Good money he picks the Opera 😀

~dawn

The Official Nightingale Playlist

Like the book, the Nightingale playlist is broken into two parts. And yes, there’s a lot of angst, but there are also parties and, at points, total chaos.

~dawn

1. Need You Now – Lady Antebellum

2. Poison & Wine – The Civil Wars

3. Faded from the Winter – Iron and Wine

4. Give Me Love – Ed Sheeran

5. Hong Kong Garden – Siouxsie and the Banshees

6. Rich Girls – The Virgins

7. Howl – Florence + The Machine

8. Swimming in the Flood – Passion Pit

9. An Olive Grove Facing the Sea – Snow Patrol

10. The Funeral – Band of Horses

PART II

11. Wide Awake – Katy Perry

12. Wanted You More – Lady Antebellum

13. Dashboard – Modest Mouse

14. Welcome to the Jungle – Guns n’ Roses

15. Le Disko – Shiny Toy Guns

16. So Here We Are – Bloc Party

17. Come Back to Me – Pony Pony Run Run

18. What Have I done – Anna Ternheim

19. As You Turn Away – Lady Antebellum

20. Fly Away – Poe