Basking in the glow of the Cote d'Azur

Thirty-six hours later I am still mesmerized by the many photos I have of the turquoise waters of the famous French Riviera. I think I got lost in those blue waters and I cannot find my way back for fear of finding a dirty reality staring me in the face. Usually I can walk around Belfort thinking life is pretty great, the sun is shining, kids laughter can be heard floating through the air as they run back and forth through the fountains playing little games to see if they can beat the fountain and not get wet and in general, a nice calm comes over me as I settle in on a sun warmed bench to begin the day's reading and people watching. Excitement usually builds as the day winds down as I know my boyfriend will soon arrive home and all is right with the world. After a weekend in Nice, seeing such unreal beauty in a place where people actually live and work and lead normal lives, makes it hard to come back thinking anything but this city [Belfort] has too much concrete, too much dust in the air and unsightly deteriorating buildings. In every skinny alley way, every cobbled side walk, you feel the sea. You sense a sparkle in the air and a delight in every person you pass. From the "hobo" trying to make a living entertaining tourists to the daily Cours Saleya Flower Market, a life in Nice seems quite near perfect. Waters ten times bluer than the sky entices you and calls out to you so much you cannot turn away. My weekend in Nice was a simple one, dinners and lunches and frequent visits to the Cours Saleya area where the locals get their fresh fruits and vegetables. No major sight seeing, no specially planned events, just relaxing and getting lost in the blues of the Cote d'Azur.