Just when I got comfortable....

These past few days in Nice have been so much better the the beginning of my stay here.  The weather has been pretty good so I have gotten in a lot of beach time.  My tan is coming a long nicely.  I started to get more comfortable and finding a bit a routine.  I have a local bread shop that I go to.  I even know the type of baguette I like now.  Also the day always starts out well with a chocolate filled croissant which I buy on my way down to soak in the sun.  It has been so nice just to lay on a beach relax and read all day long.  I started reading A Jane Austen book "Sense and sensibility" which is all based in towns I visited in London.  Kinda fun to lay on a beach in this new place and read about the place I just was.  In the evenings I also have taken to

 walking the Promenade in the early evening till the sun sets which is what most people do here.  It's fun seeing everyone out and about.  There is always different stuff going on along the way like one night there was a drum circle on the beach.  Another night there was a whole in line skating obstacle course set up.  By the way in line skating is all the rage here.  I am not sure if it has just come back due to all the 90's fashion that is in but whatever made it come back it is here with a vengeance in Nice.  Anyone who was once amazing at this sport and maybe did it pretty pro style should strap those skates back on and head over here and get your Skate On!  Totally fun to watch.   Walking the promenade at dusk and into the evening when it gets dark is really beautiful.  The lights on everything just make it come alive.  The first time I was out a bit late I was kinda nervous but there were so many people out too it seemed ok.  Just like a downtown city alive for the evening.  Of course I still was carful but it wasn't bad at all.  Since the first night out had been good I decided to actually spread my wings a bit and go into a little bar and order a drink...which I hadn't done yet.  I picked a relatively quite spot and the person who waited on me ended up being from London.  We chatted a bit and then I ended up chatting it up with quite a few others in the bar.  All was going so well for my first night out.  Everyone kept telling me you gotta go out and enjoy the evenings so I finally did!  Once I decided to head home it was late but I was walking on lit streets and only got a bit lost.  At the moment when I got lost a guy who I had chatted with a bit in the bar came up and in his little bit of english pointed the way and said he was going to.  On we walked for about 20min just chatting a bit...I was recognizing landmarks and going well then when I figured we were pretty close I was going to turn off and go a bit out of the way just so he didn't know exactly were I was staying.  I had my keys out already, started to make my move and the next thing I knew he was lunging at me and tugging at my purse.  I had it on across my chest so it was difficult for him to get it off of me.  I will spare you all the details here just because  I really don't want to relive it right now but the end result of all this tugging was he got my bag and I got a bunch of bruises.  I must have yelled for help at some point though I don't really remember doing it because out of no where came a city worker who couldn't have been more then about 25 asking me in french if I needed help.  He spoke no english but was able to understand what had just happened and he called the Police for me and waited with me until they arrived.  He was so sweet and comforting.  The cops took their sweet time getting there and once they arrived they weren't that helpful.  They took me down to the police station to start filing the report but the realized that it would be better for me to do it the next day.  They asked me if I was ok to get home...Seriously, they were going to make me just figure out how to get back.  I told them no and that they would need to drive me.  The bright spot in the little bit is I had my keys to my apartment in my hand so he didn't get them.  Such a stroke of good luck.  When I got home I was in a state of shock and panic.  Not really sure what to do.  All my credit cards, my drivers license, camera, iPod,  iPhone gone.  I didn't really have any cash which is what I think he was really after so sucks for him but everything else just gone!  Luckily I never carry my passport so it was still in the apartment...thank goodness because that would have been a nightmare.  I immediately went on line to try and cancel what I could and then noticed that Kelsey had just emailed me.  Her timing couldn't have been more perfect...I really needed a friend to lean on (and cry a bit too) and she was right there for me.  After I hung up my Skype call with Kels I headed out to meet up with one of my friends here in Nice for coffee.  Luckily we had arranged this meeting and as soon as I saw her I just lost it.  I was exhausted, sore and just feeling really violated.  She bought me a coffee and she let me tell her everything.  She said she would come to the police station with me but first we were going to get fabric for a stroller liner I am sewing for her and then we would have some lunch.  The later part of the afternoon was spent at the police station filing a report, all in french of course.  Luckily I had my lovely friend with me as a translator.  I had to sign a bunch of papers and look at a ton of mug shots which none of them were him unfortunately. Upon leaving I was glad it was over and now I could try and just move past it.  I was so thankful for the friends I have made here and who even after only knowing them a short period of time there was no hesitation to help me in anyway I needed.  I still can't believe this actually happened.  I guess no matter how smart you think you are being you can still just end up at the wrong place at the wrong time.  I will no longer be going out on my own here after dark at all.  Just when I thought I might start to like this place....I suppose this really seals the deal for me on not being too fond of France.