The train ride to Nice from Marseille is one of the prettiest train rides I’ve ever experienced. I was lucky enough to get a seat on the same side as the coast, so I got all the great views. I even saw the view of Cannes I’ve become accustomed to seeing on Entertainment Tonight every time the film festival occurs.

Nice is a beautiful city. The sun wasn’t out when I arrived, but it was still fairly warm. The hostel is very close to the train station, so I was able to walk there in about ten minutes. First thing I noticed: there’s an orange tree in the courtyard outside the hostel. Apparently they’re okay to eat, although they don’t taste spectacular (I haven’t tried them, myself). I have a roommate at this hostel, a nice girl from Australia. Our room has its own balcony, so we’re pretty lucky.

I immediately went out to see the city. I walked along the famous Promenade, with a view of the sea. There’s a children’s fair in the park in that area, so I walked through that. I also did a bit of window shopping at Louis Vuitton, Cartier … you know, all the shops I’d regularly visit!

I walked all the way to the Chagall museum, but it closed twenty minutes after I arrived and they wouldn’t let me in. Thus, I had to walk all the way back. They light up the streets very nicely here, so at least I had something to look at. I had a quick dinner, and then returned to my hostel to get a bit of rest, and ended up chatting with my roommate for hours.

Tomorrow not much is supposed to be open (Sunday in France – what do you expect?), but I know it’s going to be a great day anyway. Why? BECAUSE TOMORROW IS MY 23rd BIRTHDAY!