Musee Matisse

Today, my friend Tammi and I went to the musée Matisse. While I am not a fan of Matisse's art I do like his sculptures. Musée Matisse does not allow pictures, so this the closest that I could get. 

While some of sculptures look almost like masks. Tête de faune for example almost looks like a devils mask. The one sculpture that I really liked was Le Tiaré.  It almost looks like a woman's face, but also has some characteristics of a flower that Matisse had seen in the south seas.

What I did like about this trip to the musée was the park around the musée. The park was both a monument to some of the greats of jazz. 

It also contained roman ruins.

The area had something for everyone. Even bocci ball!

 

Sick...

So, I got food poisoning. I was trying some food in the Old Town area, and suddenly got a migraine. Lets just say the rest of the night was not pleasant.  All I could think about was this Italian soda that I got from the musée Chagall's cafe. 

I got the fraise (strawberry) flavor. So far it is on of my all time favorite drinks that I have had in France. It was so good, that while I was sick, I wanted more. At lunch, I will see if I could have another one.

Bastille Day!

This past Sunday was Bastille day, or La Fête Nationale in France. Bastille day is the anniversary of the French revolutionaries tore down Bastille prison. This action was the start of the French Revolution. 

In Nice, they set up moving stages so that there were concerts all up and down the promenade. At 10 o'clock pm, the lights on the promenade shut off and the fireworks began. I feel little bias, thought. While the fireworks were good here I feel like the fireworks in the states are better.  Please don't hate me!!

All in all Bastille day was very enjoyable!

Back to the Chateau...

So today I went back up to the chateau de Nice.  Only to realize, that when Madame Norris took us we went up the easy back way. Lets just say that by the time we got to the top my feet was hurting me to the point that I had to do something. 

Yeah... It was bad.

Since I had gone up before I was able to see things that I might have missed out on earlier. Like the Israelite cemetery.  

It's always a shock to my system when I come across memorials for World War II. For the simple reason, that I don't have easy access to any around me.  Here in Nice, not only are there memorials, but they still have ceremonies to honor those who died protecting France during WWII.

Since I doing my research on the chateau, I was very excited when I came across an old gate.

I thought it was so pretty and it looked like it had been apart of something at one time.  

Going back to the Chateau was very fun and interesting.  I saw lot of random things, like a tai chi class for example. It was an interesting way to end the day!

Local food..

So recently, I was able to try socca. Socca is a specialty of Nice. It's a pancake that is made from chickpeas and olive oil.  It's roots can be trace back to the early days of Nice. It still is a common item in some of niçois restaurants in Nice.

Socca is best when eaten hot, and with olive oil.  I found it to be very delicious, but a lot for one person.  I felt like I had to be rolled out of there.  I definitely have plans to go back before I leave.

Well this sucks...

So... My computer just totally crashed. I am hoping that by the morning it will be ok. At this point I don't know what to do. I am currently blogging from my phone. :(

Musee Chagall

So I recently went to the Musee Chagall.  The musee Chagall contained many of the works that Chagall did during his lifetime. 

Marc Chagall was born in Vitebsk, Belarus in 1887.  His hometown pops up over and over in his biblical paintings.  Chagall is known for his biblical paintings.

The above painting is called the burning bush.  On the right, it shows Moses coming into contact with the bush.  On the left, it shows Moses with the ten commandments.  According to the Musee, his paintings tell several stories in one painting, somewhat similar to the paintings seen in Russian churches.  Seeing how when Chagall was growing up Belarus was apart of Russia, it makes sense that he would have been influenced by the churches around him.  

I find that I like the biblical art better than some of his earlier work.  Even though some of his earlier work was in color, the biblical paintings seem to be alive in with color.  The paintings almost glowed.

All in all, the musee Chagall was an interesting perspective on the growth of Chagall as an artist.  It was a quite enjoyable way to spend the morning.

My First Excursion Trip

So the school here in France, does what they call, excursion trips that allows the students to see more of the Cote D'Azure area of France.  Today we went to the Villa Kérylos.  It is a beautiful villa that was built by Théodore Reinach. 

The house was built with the intention of being a replica of the homes in the ancient greece.  everything from the beds, to the showers, to walls were replicas.

The house was very beautiful but what took my breathe away was the view  of the water from the house.  

The water was so clear, and perfect!!  You could even see sea urchins in the water!! Looking at this is a quick and easy reminder that I am not in Chicago anymore!!  I don't want to leave!!!

First day of class

So the day is finally here!  The first day of French summer school.  Its very interesting.  While one teacher speaks english enough to help us if we have problems, the other teacher doesn't.  So while my french is better than some, its still a little hard to follow.  It's a challenge but its one that I want to try to do.  but its interesting to see how other people handle it.  if they like it or if they decide that they hate.  Personally, I am excited for this experience!!

Till next time!! 

Candice

Madame's Last Day... :(

So today was Madame Norris's last day with us.  To say goodbye we went to dinner in the Port area of Nice.  Madame explained that this area was good because of how close the restaurants are to the water and that the seafood is fresh.  While at the Port, Madame introduced us to the custom of aperitifs.  Aperitifs are drinks that a person can have before the meal.  Since our reservations wasn't till about 7 o'clock, we decided to enjoy this custom.  

I decided to have the cafe creme.  I don't know what it is about the coffee here but is so much better than the coffee at home.  It's not as bitter, nor as strong.  I don't need to add a lot of sugar to it.  After the aperitifs, we walked a little farther up the Port and went to L'Escale ( the stopover).  At L'Escale, I ordered the mussels, in fish sauce.

They were so fresh and tender!!!  I have never had anything like it!!  It was truly an experience everyone should have!  The experience's that i have had this past week have been unbelievable!!  The sites i've seen; the amount of walking I've done; and the food I've eaten, has all been thanks to Madame Norris.  Merci Madame Norris!!!

Walked a Thousand Miles...

Yesterday my teacher, Madame Norris, decided to take us to the old town of Nice.  Which included a tour of the Chateau de Nice. 

It had gorgeous panoramic views, cute cafes, and amazing scenery.   It also had alot of walking.  By the time we got back to the room, it felt like I had literally walked a thousand miles.  I feel like i was fine, until we got off the bus.  The walk home from the bus stop, for some reason felt horrible.  I think it was mostly because I just wanted to sit down, and lay down.

It will not be a surprise to anyone that my favorite stop was the at Monsieur Gelato.  They had so many flavors that it was hard to decide!!  It was so good, sweet but not overly sweet!  I ended up with the pêche (peach) flavor.  Soo good!

Till next time!!

Candice

My First Day!

Today Will be my first full day in Nice!!!  I wish there was a way that you could understand just how excited I am!!!

Upon arrival yesterday, I completely forgot how tired and jetlagged I was.  Once we checked in, I ran to my room, freshened up and met up with the other study abroad girls.  We walked around Nice for a bit and found a place to eat.  We were having so much fun that time slipped away from us!  We had to catch the bus but to our rooms.  Nothing says welcome to France like having to take the bus at night in a country where you are fluent in the local language!  All in all, I had a wonderful day.  And I am already learning a lot.  Like for instance, the French don't really do doggie bags!  

More to update soon!
Candice

Close, Very Close

Currently I am sitting in Sweden.  I am very tired, hungry, and my head hurts.  That being said I am have a good time.  The study abroad girls are good company.  I am so lucky that we all get along and can work with each others strengths and weaknesses.  Once Madame Norris leave, we will only have each other!!  We will have a great time, and everything is going to work out for the better!!!