Ile du Frioul (Marseille)

Towards the end of the spring semester, the weather finally started getting warm enough to think about a beach and swimming.  With some last minute plans, a friend and I set out for Marseille to find a beach.  After arriving at the train station, we ran into a large group of students heading to the island just off of Marseille so we joined them.

We arrived at the Old Port in Marseille to catch a ferry.  It was a nice ride and we went past the Chateau d'If, made famous with the Count of Monte Cristo, and arrived at the second island, l'ile du Frioul.  Here, we took a short hike in the sweltering heat, past the main beach, and to a private cove.  It was worth it even after having to deal with some dive-bombing seagulls... their young were walking around on the top of the hill after-all.

It was surreal with the blues and greens in the water and now I can check "swimming in the Mediterranean" off of my list!

In the distance you can see Chateau d'If.

Our cove.

Everyday Aix

While I took many amazing trips to areas in Provence, France, and other European countries, something has to be said about the pleasure I found in my everyday life.  Walking through Aix and seeing history unfold, stumbling upon markets every day, and enjoying a spot in the sun were some of life's little pleasures.

Here are some of the highlights of my "everyday Aix."

Place de l'Universite... (right outside my school)

A typical Aix street... my school is just down on the left.

The path I took to get to my afternoon art class at Marchutz.

Pavillon de Vendome... a parc steeped in history.

Aix trees.

Host family (Mireille et Robert) with my housemate Cate at an end of the year school picnic.

Fontaine de Vaucluse

My last school excursion this spring was to Fontaine de Vaucluse.  It was a beautiful area.  We walked along a river a ways in the shade of the trees and shortly arrived at a natural spring.  The water is an incredible blue-green and it is melt-off from the Alps.  It travels underground for hundreds of miles before popping up at this incredible little spot.  Just like magic.

Right at the source of the spring.  The water is so cold I could only get a toe in!

What am I drinking? Oh Pschitt, ok...

The village of Fontaine de Vaucluse.  Here is a water fountain... and yes you can drink the water coming right out of it!

French Markets

Well now that I'm home, people keep asking what I miss.  I miss friends, I miss traveling, I miss wine in the afternoon at an open air cafe, and I miss my art class.  Well that's not all, I miss the French life, and one of those things embedded in my life in Aix-en-Provence was the countless markets throughout the city.

There is really something to be said about the open air markets in France.  They span entire squares, taking up life as you stroll down the rows upon rows of vegetables, flowers, breads, cheeses, clothing, and souvenirs.  Some markets have only a specific item, such as the daily flower market outside the Hotel de Ville (City Hall) in Aix, after which they clean the square and fill it with tables from the local cafes.  Some wrap around an entire city, such as that I saw on my excursion to Isle sur la Sorgue.  No matter where you stumble upon one though, which will undoubtedly happen, there is always some treasure to find.  Don't forget to try the strawberries that are in season, the delectable French cheeses, and the saucisson for an unforgettable picnic.