Memoir

What happens in France, stays in France

As you know, I have a French name, so since I was little, I always wanted to know more about that country, the language and culture. I always want to visit France, and my dream (one of my many dreams) finally came true last summer: I went to Nice, ALONE! Though It was just a 4-days getaway, I was already over the moon. 

Probably you would wonder why I did not choose Paris as my first destination for my premier voyage. I understand Paris always has her way to fit in and take part in the conversation when people are talking about France. I don't blame her as she is thecountry's capital and the synonym of fashion, history, beauty, elegance,romance, luxury and many more. Pairs definitely deserves the compliments, yet Iam more attracted to the natural blues and greens than concrete jungle. Icannot remember since when my heart was lured and stolen by Provence and Côte d'Azur. The floraand fauna, the turquoise sea, the cobble stone path, the heat, the cuisine, thecolour palette...  And why did I choose Nice over Provence, well it's because it was June which was the perfect time to explore the French Riviera in the most attractive way. 

Everything looked better in Côte d'Azur, I was overwhelmed and could not stop taking photos and videos. I knew that I nailed the role of being an authentic tourist, as what I said the most were "OMG" (or Oh Mon Dieu), "woooooow", "it's so beautiful", "amazing", "yesssss", "he he he ha ha ha"... I probably looked like a lunatic when I was giggling. Surrounding stares did not stop me from having fun and enjoying myself. I even got a free and natural tan on Day 1, not laying on the beach but  merely walking around the city. How amazing was that! 

It was a lovely trip except I lost my wallet and tote bag on Day 2. Day 2! I still had 2 more days in France and I was broke on the second day, how was I supposed to shop and eat? Not to mention I needed to figure out how to go to the airport. My mind was blank once I realised all my cash were gone, I could not believe this could happen to me, on my very first trip in France! I was naïve enough to believe that such crime only exists in Paris but not the South, but I also forgot Nice was the 7th most populous urban area in France and thefts had an appetite for tourists. And I was too excited and didn't pay attention to my personal belongings and turned myself into an easy target. Understanding there was no way I could get my things back from the "Lost & Found", I ended up at the police station the following morning and filed a report. Coincidentally, one of my colleagues lost his passport during his way to Amsterdam on the same day and about the same time that I lost my wallet and tote bag. Holy Moly! Were these all planned? Were we being followed? Were we on "the list"? Who hated us that much? Anyway, I felt so much better after talking to him and my friends, and writing in my journal. It would drive me crazy if I kept my mouth shut and didn't write; I could not just let this sink in my head quietly and did nothing. 

Knowing that I was not alone and this was not end of the world, I decided I could not let this incident ruin the entire trip. Whatever happens, happens; I could not turn the clock back and changed anything. So why not enjoy the remaining days in France? I definitely had a once-in-a-lifetime experience during this trip but the incident will not hold me back to visit France again, I just need to be more cautious, and probably I should get a money waist belt, and find a better insurance company. Lesson learnt and I cannot wait for the next trip. Besides, what's better than practising French in France, this is a very valid reason to keep going back.