Patricia Sands

Author

Nice

Weekly Photo Challenge: STREET LIFE

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If it’s Friday, it must be France …

La Vieille Ville-Nice

 

Yay! It’s another Daily Post weekly photo challenge. This is actually last week’s theme, but I couldn’t resist it for today’s post. Some weeks there just isn’t enough time to dive into my photo albums but, when there is, you know how I love to share my photos of France.  Come on along and check out some typical “Street Life” in a few of my favourite spots on the Côte d’Azur.

Part of the fun is checking out other photo blogs! 

http://beautyalongtheroad.wordpress.com/2014/04/01/a-slice-of-scottish-streetlife/

http://theurgetowander.com/2014/04/01/les-rues-de-paris/

http://mondasiregar.com/2014/04/01/weekly-photo-challenge-street-life/

http://williamsdavid.me/2014/04/01/weekly-photo-challenge-street-life-reflections-of/

http://quotidianhudsonriver.com/2014/03/28/3-28-14-weekly-travel-theme-street-life/

http://gideonquick.wordpress.com/2014/04/01/weekly-photo-challenge-street-life/

http://maulzxxx.wordpress.com/2014/04/02/indonesian-weekly-photo-challenge-street-life/

http://quotidianhudsonriver.com/2014/03/29/3-29-14-weekly-photo-challenge-street-life-a-water-view/

http://sherrimatthewsblog.com/2014/04/01/wpc-the-streets-of-old-city-dubrovnik-croatia/

http://rjbailey.wordpress.com/2014/04/01/weekly-photo-challenge-street-life-and-some-excitement/

Take some time to wander your neighbourhood streets to see what’s going on!

Bon weekend tout le monde!

 

If it’s Friday, it must be France … allez-y!

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Happy Friday! I’m working on a post for International Women’s Day tomorrow and deep in my writing cave with my next novel, so forgive me for simply reposting a favourite day in Nice. Take a stroll with me and enjoy!

France-PSandsPhotos
France-PSandsPhotos

CHAGALL IN THE A.M./MOULES-FRITES IN THE P.M.

June 16, 2011 · by  · Bookmark the permalink. · Edit

It’s an easy walk from the main train station in Nice (Gare SNCF Nice-Ville) to the Musee Chagall (also known as Le Musée National du Message Biblique Marc Chagall) with just a slight uphill section before you arrive. Honest, it’s not like Grasse where we had to climb 200 stairs to reach the old town … but that’s another story and we could have taken a shuttle so I’m not complaining.

The artist Marc Chagall lived in France for most of his life and in the south of France for the latter half. He died in Saint-Paul de Vence, just north of Nice, in 1985 at the age of 97. His grave is in the village cemetery which, as is the case with most cemeteries in France, offers its permanent guests the most pleasing views .

If you haven’t been to see this breathtaking Chagall collection, please put it on your list. You won’t be disappointed. The ambiance of the exhibition areas is calm with superb lighting and  opportunities to sit in order to appreciate the beauty of his work. The audioguide is excellent. A small outdoor cafe set amid olive trees and mounds of lavender serves superb coffee and light local fare.

Like everything else you may visit the museum online to whet your appetite.

And with that non-too-subtle segue, let me add a few words about lunch. As planned, we went to le vieux port (old port)

and were excited about finally going to a restaurant we have had on our list for years. Typical of us, we hadn’t checked first and it was … yup, you guessed it … closed on Wednesdays! It never fails. But I always say these things happen for a reason.

We walked down a block to sit right by the moorings in one of several old portside restaurants and had some of the best moules-frites ever. They were in a simple sauce of olive oil, LOTS of garlic and sauteed tomatoes. On the side, to dip in the sauce once the mussels were enjoyed to the very last one, were simple boiled shrimp to just peel and dip.

Magnifique!

When I reposted this today, the photos and text did not line up as they should have. My apologies …
I hope you enjoyed this little break. Are you a fan of Chagall’s work or of moules/frites? In the tours I am leading to France in June, we will take good care of both of those interests! Are you coming with us? If not this year, then join us in September, 2015! Make your dream of visiting France come true!
And now back to the writing cave …
See you tomorrow for International Women’s Day!
Bon weekend!

Love, love, love …

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If it’s Friday, it must be France …

Happy Valentine’s Day ~ Bonne Saint Valentin!

PSandsPhotos
PSandsPhotos

Enjoy sharing the love with those special someones in your life … today, and every day. How better to sound romantic than to whisper sweet nothings in French? My friend and favourite language instructor, Ida Young-Bondi has all the words you need to know for La Saint Valentin in this love-filled video. Click right here to take a couple of minutes to join her and perfect your accent!

After the hearts and flowers sentiments of today, when we are in France, February in Nice means one thing to me ~ Carnaval! Time to get your party on!

From February 14 to March 4 this year, the streets of Nice will come alive, day and affiche_2014night, with parades of brightly coloured floats, spectacular floral creations, street events with entertainment provided by over 1000 dancers and musicians from all over the world … oh, and blizzards of silly string and confetti!

This year’s featured reigning monarch is the King of Gastronomy.  That can only be very good news!

One of the oldest carnivals in the world; it is said to have pagan beginnings in the thirteenth century.

The word ‘carnival’ apparently comes from carne levare or away with meat. This was the last chance to enjoy all the rich food before Lent when people would fast for forty days. The masks worn at the carnival offered the chance for people to disguise themselves from the forbidden pleasures by the Catholic Church. Needless to say, the philosophy has changed through the centuries!

For all the information you would ever want to know about this joyful celebration, take a few minutes to visit TheGoodLifeFrance where Margo Lestz has the best article on Carnaval de Nice. If you haven’t already done so, bookmark that site to read fabulous posts about life in France!

While I’m on the subject of love, I want to share this with you … honestly, I can’t stop talking about it … and you can imagine the tower of tissues I accumulated watching it play out. Read on …

One of the aspects I love most about the Olympic Games is the sharing of inspiring stories. None of these athletes arrived where they are without hard work, motivation, support and love for their chosen sport.

In Vancouver 2010, Alex Bilodeau won gold for Canada in mogul skiing. This week he accomplished the same feat in fine style in Sochi. He is a superb athlete. More importantly, we also learned in 2010 what a fine person he is and what a loving and exemplary family he has. We were reminded again this week. Please read this, share it and take it to your heart.

Photo from Yahoo Sports
Photo from Yahoo Sports

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CBBH Photo Challenge: Across The Rooftops

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I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I love photo challenges. It’s great fun to spend time reliving memories as I linger in my albums finding the shots I want to use.

Every month Marianne … oh wait! … first I want to congratulate her as she  recently won first prize in a photo contest for this entry …  *YAY! WOOHOO!*  … okay, back on track …

On Marianne’s fabulous East of Malaga website, she has a photo challenge once a month and February’s topic is Across The Rooftops.

That challenge took me back to one of my visits with my (no exaggeration)

Spain-PSandsPhotos
Spain-PSandsPhotos

beautiful, wonderful, hilarious, one-in-a-million, sister-in-law, Ofra, who lives in a tiny village a half-hour south of Granada, Spain. She went there for a one-week visit 25 years ago and hasn’t left! I love her story!

I’ve spent many hours on her rooftop terrace snapping photos and getting caught up in the sheer beauty of this picturesque part of Andalucia; a half-hour from the Alpujarra mountains to the north and 20 minutes south to the Mediterranean beaches. The first time I won a writing award was for a piece I wrote about doing just that. I’ve never lost my fascination for the colours and textures of those terra cotta tiles, the vistas beyond, and the stories they might hold.

Rooftops like these exist in many countries around the world but the ones I’m sharing here are from the Valle de Lecrin in the south of Spain. I hope you see the attraction!

Spanish rooftops-PSandsPhotos
Spanish rooftops-PSandsPhotos
viejos y nuevos-PSandsPhotos
viejos y nuevos-PSandsPhotos
Spanish Rooftops-PSandsPhotos
Spanish Rooftops-PSandsPhotos
Ancient rooftops of 11thC Alhambra-PSandsPhotos
Ancient rooftops of 11thC Alhambra-PSandsPhotos

As much as I love the rooftops in Spain, it wouldn’t be moi if I didn’t finish with a rooftop shot from France. Looking down on the vieille ville of Nice is a view I love.

Vieille Ville~Nice~PSandsPhotos
Vieille Ville~Nice~PSandsPhotos

Where are your favourite rooftops? One of the rules of Marianne’s challenges is that you must visit other blogs from her comments and refer back to two of them here.

If you can, take a minute to see the photos they have posted and please tell them I sent you. Enjoy!  

I love the variety here, from Prague to San Diego on http://shareandconnect.wordpress.com/2014/02/05/cbbh-across-the-rooftops/ 

And Pat’s photography here on every subject is inspiring: http://imissmetoo.me