Strawberries and a Funeral

Wasting Time
I really just wanted to find a park after lunch, but all of the parks are far away. There is one "park" nearby and I walked by it yesterday but it was just gravel and benches. Yesterday the park was closed so just bums were inside of the gates. I decided it was not worth trying to get to and found a spot on the street to enjoy some more of my book.

After a while I bought a super delicious looking strawberry custard pastry to make up for last night's lame birthday cookie. I put it in my bag and headed to the train station. I wanted to make sure that I had the times of the train right and see how much a reservation would be (well I did not think there would be a reservation needed, but after I was tricked in Toulouse, I wanted to be sure). I got there and could not find my Eurail pass, I knew I put it aside this morning, but I must have forgotten to pack it. I spoke to the woman and she confirmed the times that I had and that it would be free to get from Nice to Florence with the trains that I picked out (wahoo Eurail!).

While looking for my Eurail pass, I realized my strawberry tart was leaking and so after I dealt with my tickets I headed outside to eat it. A nice lady was sitting outside and said "bon appetite" to me and told me she only had a soda for her lunch. Then she told me to watch my bag (or her cheek hurt). I was in the corner and nobody was around but I thanked her and kept my bag close (I have been to much worse spots, but a reminder is always nice). This is the point when I say how much I have been eating and how fat I feel, but my stomach and legs and body ache from walking so much, so I am guessing I am not really gaining too much weight at all!

I really just wanted to go back to the hotel, but having to pay to get back and forth, I forced myself to stay in the city. At least there are places to sit, even if they are not parks. I found where bus #6 will pick me up and waited to make sure it came, then I asked the tourist information booth about seeing lavender and possibly taking a trip to Sault, as they are higher up and may still have some that has not been cut. They were of no help, but that is okay.

It was getting hot and I had no place to really go but then I found one of the churches, that was closed yesterday, open today. I meandered in and it was wonderfully cool. I sat in an inconspicuous place, took the view in, and then pulled out my map to investigate some parks that had to be closer. The preist guy who was wearing a robe like a monk was talking to some guy who was playing with a music type thing. Three people came in and then so did the coffin. I stood and sat when they did and did my best to stay silent. It was a big church and only three people, the priest and me, it is sad to think about who was in there and how those were the only ones to attend. Nobody, but me, cried and then we all followed the priest out (I was hinted to, which is a good thing as the doors were locked behind me).