Blogs from Aix-en-Provence, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France, Europe - page 13

After my trip to Avignon I was pretty tired. But nonetheless, I got up nice and early for my Cezanne field trip today. However, I didn't get up as early as I had hoped. I forgot that daylight savings time began this Sunday in France, so I had to rush out the door to make it to the rendezvous by 9am. I had two pieces of bread and a banana for breakfast. Yum. I made it on time though and we set off in our little bus. Our first stop was Chateau Noir, where Cezanne did a lot of motifs of Ste. Victoire. We couldn't take any photos on the property though, because it is privately-owned. So I cannot show you how beautiful it was. But trust me, it was awesome. The house itself was never ... read more

So I had a boring weekend, which is a tragedy, because my time is slowing running out here in France, like sand through an hourglass... We were supposed to have a field trip on Saturday for my Cezanne class, to look at all the places where Cezanne painted around Aix, places that really haven't changed in a hundred years. Unfortunately though, it was kind of a crappy day, all gray and misty. And you need the Provencal light that scalds your eyeballs to really get a feel for what Cezanne saw. So I ended up watching "The Birdcage" at Mollie and Bridget's place and stuffing myself with churros at the fair. It was very funny- the movie, not the churros. Sunday I had even less to do. Therefore, I walked up to the Place Bellegrade and ... read more

Since Saturday I have been entertaining my very good friends, Katie and Amanda, here in Aix. They came all the way from New Hampshire to see me! And to go to Paris, but that's besides the point. So of course I showed them around my great town! I picked them up at the Marseille airport on Saturday morning and brought them back to Aix, guiding them if you will, because neither is up on their French and when you're jet lagged you just want other people to do the work for you. They stayed at the Hotel Concorde in town, a nice place it turns out. Nice location too, right on the edge of the centre ville. So I let them rest for a bit, then I showed them around the town and we also explored ... read more

So I've been trying the past few days to get out and see more of this beautiful city I call home. Yesterday after I got back from class I went out for a walk. Arlette told me how to get to the park next to the Tour d'Aygosi and I set out on my excursion. The park is awesome. There's a stream that flows through it and the banks are lined with trees. The French don't really believe in sidewalks, and they have a weird love-hate relationship with grass, so the paths were mostly dirt as I started out. However I did find a big grassy area where people were throwing frisbees. I haven't seen this much grass since I came to France. I didn't go near it though. I want to savor that green carpet. ... read more

This week has been pretty uneventful so far. Classes are going well- Romanesque and Gothic is becoming more interesting. I almost moved up into a higher French oral class, but decided for once I won't be an over-achiever. (*gasp!*) I had coffee with the archaeology professor yesterday at a cafe on the Place de Hotel Ville and he gave me all kinds of articles on roman remains here in southern France. I might go with the archaeology class to Arles and St. Remy, but I have to see if there will be room on the bus. History is still slowly draining away my life-force. I've decided to either write the great American novel during classtime, or plan the perfect murder as activities to preserve my sanity. Oh I got some pants and T-shirts at the Gap ... read more