Am currently back in Nice, waiting to catch the overnight train to Naples. It feels good to be back in a warmer climate again and be surrounded by some folks who speak English.

Last night, since I arrived so late in Toulouse, I put the money I`d saved on the bus ticket towards my accommodation fund and upgraded to the Ibis Hotel, located directly across the street from the train station. For the convenience and amenities, it was definitely worth it. (This hotel is part of the same group as the Sofitel in Lisbon, but one of their lower-priced properties.)

The night desk staff member, Otabek, was great, and hopefully enjoyed listening to me purge myself of the verbal baggage I`ve been storing up over the last few days.

I originally planned to spend an entire day in Nice with Helene, dad’s friend. At 8:30 this morning, after we’d taken her daughter to school, Helene dropped me off at the train station to find out what time I needed to leave for Spain. I would also get on-line and take a stroll before catching a train to Monte Carlo to meet up with her for lunch.

At 9:05 I lined up to get a ticket to speak with someone about my travel options. The ticket “dealer” doesn’t just give out tickets though. She first of all asks each person why exactly they want a ticket. It took me over five minutes just to reach her. I was then given a ticket and went to the waiting area for my number to be called.

At 9:20 I reached the counter, only to be told the French train system would shut down at 8 p.m. and in order to get to Spain today, I would need to leave Nice at 11:15. I would also need to make a reservation, a requirement on all Spanish trains.

I didn’t make a reservation since I didn’t have my bags with me and didn’t know if I’d make it, but I was damn well going to try. So at 9:42, I caught a train back to Beaulieu, where Helene lives. I rushed around grabbing my drying underwear from the balcony, and my toiletries from the bathroom, packed everything pronto, and at 10:20 headed back to Beaulieu station for the 10:35 train back to Nice. At 10:50 I lined up again for reservations. By the time I’d reached the ticket keeper and taken a seat in the waiting area again, it was 10:56. My number was 112. At 11:06 they were still only at Number 104, so I gave up and hoped the 11:14 train to Marseille shown on the timetable was the train I needed to catch. At least it was heading in the right direction. 

Can’t tell you how happy I am to be back online with a decent connection! More than I can say for catching one of my trains late last night. I missed the connection between Vertimiglia, Italy, and Nice, France, at 2332 hours, so had to spend the night in the Vertimiglia Station’s waiting room. Did attempt to wander around the town to see if there was anywhere open but at midnight everything was closing.

It’s now 7.10 a.m. and I’m sitting in an Accor Hotel just by Nice Train Station. My reason for being here? The big numpty I am forgot to bring with me my SERVAS Letter of Introduction from home, which is the most important thing I need with me if I want to have any chance of staying with families in their homes. Dad has posted copies to a friend just outside of Nice, so I’ll spend the day with her and travel on to Spain tomorrow (Monday).