Day #3 Tour of Old Nice and Luxury Shopping

 Greetings, y'all! By the way, I find myself saying "y'all" a lot during conversation....it's just ingrained. Our tour group is from all over the US, places like Wichita, Albany, Austin and others, so my use of the word is always a topic of conversation. 

Anyway, today was an official tour of Old Nice, followed by a free afternoon. After I told some in the group that I was planning to check out the luxury stores as well as a vintage store I had several "Can I go with you?" We ended up with a group of 5 of us wandering around. Lots of fun. 

First up - the tour of Old Nice. Our tour guide was very nice, and very knowledgeable of the history of the area. We took a 2hr walking tour of the area, plus a tasting of macrons and gelato (picture below). I am now a fan of mango gelato.....if anyone can find it in the States, please let me know! It's fascinating to me how much effort was put into the architecture of older buildings. Today we build them as quickly as we can. The effort that was put into details back then is astounding. 

Oh, and here's my travel tip of the day - if you're coming to Europe, bring a few washcloths! I usually have to ask for them specifically (they're not included in your room when you check in), but this hotel had none. Trying to wash your face with a hand towel is not an easy feat. :) Several of us ventured into Zara Home today and wound up with some lovely 3-packs to take home. So if you're ever at my house and you see grey washcloths, you'll know where they came from. 

....and now, pictures (and stories!) 

Residents hang their laundry outside to dry. Please note the two peacoat hanging on either side.... 

We stopped mid afternoon after our legs (and knees!) gave out. Wound up at a Portuguese cafe, and tried the Pastels de Nata - an egg tart with custard, vanilla and cinnamon. So glad I did - it was yummy! 

When you're nice, you get two glasses of wine. The tour guide was walking around with an extra glass of rose, looking for the owner. I jokingly mentioned it wasn't me, but I would be happy to drink it. A few minutes later she walked up, made the "shhh" sign, and placed it at my seat at the table. 

Presented without comment, but it's an interesting commentary on worldwide public affairs. I've seen several expressions of opinion about the person in the painting. He's not making a good impression..... 

Can you see the faces on the bottom of the balcony (at either side)? There were about 6-8 balconies, each with different faces. The story goes that the nobility who lived there thought so much of their work, they told the house opposite them on the street they needed to put in some extra effort to make their facade equally as stunning. 

Outside of a local church. I don't know if the statue was intentionally posed that way for the birds, but I love it. 

The sample size of mango gelato. This was *before* lunch, by the way.... 

If you can't see, the picture is worth enlarging for the al fresco (al fresco? mural? something else?) on the ceiling and wall. Just a normal part of an apartment in Old Nice.... 

Old Nice has little air conditioning, but was built so there's little need for it. The main roads were built on the same path as the surrounding waterways, so there's a natural breeze. If you look at the above picture, there's a grate. Air flows through, into a courtyard inside. From there the air flows upward, cooling the rooms next to the courtyard. 

Another view of Castel Hill (from yesterday) 16 flights of stairs to the top! No, didn't make that today..... 

Me! 

View of Nice from the other side. 

So....I should know more about this statue than I remember. However, I was too distracted by the amount of jokes a group of women over a certain age can make about a naked man! Yes, the back is just as detailed as the front. And yes, many people took pictures of that side, too...... 

Very cool artwork. There were seven of these statues, representing the seven different continents. They were all in meditative poses and faced their home continent. At night they all glowed different colors, representing quiet communication with each other. If only it were that way in real life...... 

Place Messena, with our guide leading the group. The architecture and the paint colors are fascinating. The walkways especially - was trying not to be that person that stared at their feet, but it was so cool!

Today's OOTD. :) 

Our group at dinner last night. I'm the youngest at the table by far. The ladies made my night by guessing I was no older than 35. Passed that age a loooooong time ago, but I'm loving the compliment!