Aix en Provence, France: Reflections

As it states, I wrote this one while sitting in the airport on the way to Madrid.



I’m sitting in the Marseille Airport thinking about the time I spent in Aix en Provence and trying to take my mind off the overnight layover that I have ahead of me in Madrid (another post). I am happy with my trip and grateful for the time away from home. There a few things that I thought I wanted to do that made less sense once I got here like travel to Paris for a day or two or have “authentic” French cuisine. However, the trip was just what I needed when I needed it.
Here are some brief highlights:

• I climbed a hill everyday, most days, more than once. This was my unplanned workout for the trip.
• I also climbed bigger hill/mountain to see Mount Sainte Victoire. The view was amazing. It reminded me of hiking in Kenya and climbing the ruins of Mexico. Only thing time, I wasn’t with a group of students, at least one professor, and a guide. It was just me and my friend. We did it alone. In hindsight, it was a little scary only because no one except a couple of Frenchman knew we were even headed up there. While one was very nice to us before and after our climb, I doubt he would have sent a search party after the silly American girls.
• I shopped. Only a little and only the most inexpensive things. Shopping for real here could have put me in some real debt.
• I learned that the American dollar is a joke to the Euro. I definitely missed those Kenyan and Mexican exchange rates.
• I met people from Guyana, Canada, and Chile. I learned a lot more about patience and multicultural perspectives in a much different way than I did on my other trips abroad.
• I ate. A lot. I ate a lot of white (French) bread, something I almost never do and it was great. I ate a lot of cheese. I had pizza, pasta, sandwiches, and on my last night, I had salmon. I kept my 30-day pledge to be vegetarian! Even if I didn’t quite make the vegan part.
• I read a lot. I finished Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man on the plane (more on that in a another post). I also finished a book for my book club and read the relevant pieces to The 4-Day Diet. I had a lot of time to just reflect on how each of the books related to my life and I’m ready to make some important changes. It’s interesting that the diet book was the most informative and made me think a lot about the choices that I make.
• I saw the coolest museum exhibit ever at Museè Granet on Picasso and Cezanne. It was interactive and exciting to people my age and much older and I couldn’t help but think how much kids would love it. I need to hit up a few museums when I get home.
• I people-watched and people watched, or should I say stared, at me. The people of France are interesting. I was intrigued by their fashions and sense of style, the way they sit in cafes for hours, how the kids hang out and laugh. However, what I’m most curious about is how they see me and how race and place works in their society. We often wondered aloud if the looks were from curiosity about our dress, hair, language or if it was simply a case of good ol’ French racism. I’m hoping my friend can find out more in her time there.
• I was challenged to travel more. The overnight thing in Madrid was an oversight on my part while booking the flight but it has lead to a real desire to see more of the world. I’ve always wanted to travel the world but never really thought about doing it on my own or with a friend. This trip has ignited that fire.
• I chilled hard. I sat in cafes checking email and playing around the on internet between looking for jobs. I took naps, slept in, and was simply at peace. Something that often seems so elusive at home. Changes in environment are great for me whether it is across the ocean, the country, or just across state lines.

I may write more once I get home but these are just my thoughts for now.