THE BEACH AND ME

This week, I went to the beach in Nice. That is a big deal. It only took me TWO YEARS!! Well, that is not true.  Steve and I walked along the Promenade almost every Sunday and sometimes more.  I walk to the Sea on my Sea-trek’s.  I went swimming in the Sea while Steve and I were in Sardinia. I’ve had lunches at restaurants on the beach. And, when Kris (Steve’s sister) was in town, four of us celebrated Steve’s birthday at Restaurant Terrasse, Plage Beau Rivage, while he was conscious and on the up-and-up. None of that is “going to the beach”.

On Monday, I called Plage Beau Rivage and reserved two beach chairs for Wednesday. On Wednesday, I put on my bathing suit, shorts, and shirt. Got my yellow beach bag, a baseball cap, my beach shoes (to buffer the rocks), some suntan lotion, and a book. Then, drove to Sulzer parking lot across from Plage Beau Rivage.

I parked the car, crossed the Promenade, went down the stairs to beach level, reserved an umbrella, two towels, and followed Christophe to the second-row chairs being held for me and my guest – JAMIE.  This was a Red Letter Day!

You see, I have been struggling to find my way without Steve. I put on a happy face and take lots of selfies, but it has not been easy. I force myself to get out and go places when I want to hibernate. Hide. Lie down. Sleep. Plus, the beach in Nice is not user-friendly to us folks with bad knees. It is uneven rocks. I see “young” people (definition: anyone younger than I am) walk down the steps in flip-flops, holding mats or towels and beach bags. Throw down their things on ROCKS. Lie down on ROCKS. Go swimming on ROCKS. (Sigh)

I want to play, too. On the ROCKS!  I am a swimmer, a former Georgia-state champion diver.  I miss my sport. I don’t do public pools. I don’t have access to private pools. The Sea is my only hope. (Actually, I am thinking of asking Marriott or one of the other hotels on the Boulevard if they have day passes to their pool. If so, I will get a day-pass or monthly pass to go early in the mornings to swim laps. Most of those pools are heated.)

Jamie and Aymeric have been staying in Antibes for a few weeks at Aymeric’s grandmother’s home in the South of France.  So, Jamie offered to help me get into the Sea before they go back to Paris next Tuesday. We agreed on Wednesday. She came down on the train. We met at Beau Rivage. Then, stayed all day. It was wonderful. We had beach chairs with cushions, an umbrella, a towel, and food service. Jamie helped me get into the Sea.  Then, helped me get out. As she supported me over the rocks and back to my chair, a couple of people gave me a thumbs-up. What can I say? It meant the world to me. I don’t plan on doing that a lot, but this was a special day.

Who will I get to help me into the water the next time? Can I ask some stranger if he/she will let me hold on while I get into the water? Then, stand by to help me get out of the water?  Maybe I can crawl in and out. I will practice that when nobody is looking. Also, I have been told there is a user-friendly beach with sand on the other side of Cap 3000 – a mall close to the airport. I will explore that at some point. (Plus, I have gotten the name of a golf course where there is a good driving range. I will explore that, too.) Better health is the goal here.

You see, the Sea is gorgeous. The water is great. And it is right across the street and down some steps. There is nothing to stop me from going to a less-populated area – without umbrellas and chairs and towels and poolside service – to swim. Once I find a good spot to get in and out, I must grow up and show up.  If not now, when?

Best, Jay