Nice Odds and Ends

After a full week here, we have noticed a few things that we thought we would share:

1. Not everyone in our building is here on vacation, in fact, we are the only ones trying to relax. This building is five stories and we are on the third; do you know what the stairwell sounds like at 0715 when a multi-generational Middle Eastern family on the fifth floor (5 kids under 8) leaves for work, school, prayer or whatever?
2. Bedrooms should never be on the street side. It seems like there are four garbage pickups per night which end just before the car and truck traffic begins at 0600.
3. Nothing ruins a concert like BO. The man directly in front of us at a Beethoven concert at the Nice Opera House had the WORST body odor we have ever encountered - I mean, it was stunning that one person could emanate so much stink.
4. Don’t assume that because you got the perfect croissant one day at a bakery, it will be any good the next day at the same bakery.
5. In one year we have seen a 15% increase in the Euro vs the Dollar, which means we are not getting very much for our dollars.
6. Went to another of our favorite restaurants that is now under new management, the fourth since we arrived.  What is going on?
7. Today, Feb 1st, the promenade and streets are loaded with Russians, most of them drunk. What is going on?
8. It seems that the French only allow their dogs to run free on the beach where there are signs that say, NO DOGS!
9. Saved ten euros today at the grocery store by capitalizing on a coupon I got because I’m a member of their club. It paid for a lovely Chablis that we shall enjoy even more knowing it is free!
10. Got my hair cut at the same place I did last year. She still had her See’s lollipop, keeping it as a souvenir.  I gave her another and told her to eat it this time. She washed my hair twice, before and after the cut. Gotta love the power of See’s!