Marseilles and flexibility

Aix en Provence, France

Yesterday I went to Marseilles for the day. It is a very interesting city. I think it is also one of the oldest in France. It was very windy yet I hiked up a very steep road to the Notre Dame de la Guard. At the top of the hill, I could see the entire city. It started raining however, so I fastened my hood, leaving me a tiny hole through which my nose poked out. It was so cold, but I loved it. I visited the Vallon des Auffes (I don't know what it means). It is a little community nestled into a rocky cliffside along the ocean. There is a little harbor and a semi-circle of houses and cafes facing the ocean. It was very beautiful. I later visited the old part of town. It was very old in parts, but unfortunately also very dirty and seemingly abandoned in some places. At one point, I saw a very large, old building with tons of windows. Something registered in my mind, as if it was a new realization, that I was really in a foreign country.
Last night, my hosts' two girl friends came over. We hung for awhile and then went out to the happening bars. My eyes stung from all the smoke in the air. It was as if I was in L.A., except that everyone was speaking French. I think that'll be the extent of my going out in Europe.
Because I stayed up late last night, I slept in this morning. As a result, I got to the bus depot at 1:30, just missing the 1:00 bus. The next one didn't leave until 5:00 and by that time, most of the day would be over. I was slightly disappointed, but I resolved to just hang out in Aix and relax. So I just walked around for a bit. I bought some lunch and sat down in front of the fountain in front of the Hotel de Ville. After eating, I wrote a postcard to my mom. I asked the girl next to me where the post office was. I looked up and realized it was right in front of me. However we started talking. She is German and on vacation. She invited me to go with her to meet a friend at the L'atelier of Cezanne. Apparently Cezanne lived in Aix and did much of his painting here. So we went to his studio. It is amazing because they have maintained it exactly as it was when he worked in it, including many of the artifacts from his still life paintings, as well as some clothes and other things of life. It was so fascinating to see the place where he painted. That was my kind of museum because I was able to see the context of the items. There was no glass or ropes. It felt as if Cezanne could be just outside, bound to return at any moment. Then we walked up the hill to the place where Cezanne painted pictures of Mont St. Victoire. I thoroughly enjoyed my day; I'm very glad to have not become very put off by the change of plans so that I was open to something else.

Couch Surfing in Aix

Aix en Provence, France

I arrived this morning by night train, and then a bus, to Aix en Provence. This trip, rather than take the sleeper-car, I opted for the reclining chair. I've learned my lesson. It wasn't necessarily very uncomfortable. Yet when I awoke at 5 AM to an arctic blizzard with my nose almost falling off from frostbite (I'm slightly exaggerating here), I was forced to rummage through my pack for any garments that could protect me from the overzealous air conditioner. Needless to say, I emerged from the train as a giant bundle with only my nose and eyes protruding from behind walls of scarves, hoods, and woolen caps. When I stopped to ask a group of train attendants about my next train, one of them said something in French (most definately about my appearance) to which all the others laughed. I would have laughed too were my lips not frozen in place. I quickly drank a bitter espresso, made use of the bus attendant-directed bathroom in the bushes, and hopped on the bus with time to spare for a little video journal action.
I mentioned in an earlier blog a website called Couchsurfing.com. Well I used this site to find two French girls that live in this city that are allowing me to stay with them while I am here. After getting off the bus, I walked to a pre-designated location where I met Stephanie. She provided me with directions and keys to her apartment. I had known her all of three minutes before she had entrusted me with access to her home. At the apartment, I met her roommate, Aurore, who briefly pointed out the bathroom and coffee location before rushing off to class. I will go take a nap soon.

I also wanted to briefly touch on the past few days in Biarritz. Sunday night, I wanted to go dancing. I met some people (Brazillians) who were going to a Latin Festival in town. So I went along. I drank a delicious Colombian coffee and then attempted to dance Samba per the instructions of my new Brazillian friends. I must say, when I decided to travel in Europe, I had no idea I would get a little taste of South America. The Samba is such a funny dance: very quick, tiny, almost-impercetible feet movements. It's like something I would have created as a joke. The one Brazillian guy that I really connected with is light-skinned, dark-haired, heavyset and jovial. He would stand very close to me and frequently touch my arm or shoulder as he spoke to me. We had a lot of fun. And because they didn't play any techno music as I was hoping for, we had a techno dance party in their rental car on the way back to the hostel. We spent the day (yesterday) together driving around Biarritz taking pictures... my new Brazillian friend probably took twenty pictures of himself in front of different sights. At the end of the day, we exchanged information and he invited me to come stay in his house in Brazil whenever I want. Then they left. Perhaps we will meet up in Nice.

Le Surfing

Biarritz, France

I am exhausted beyond exhaustion. Okay, maybe not that much, but quite a bit. (a note of frustration: the keyboards in France are messed up. The "a" key is switched with the "q"; "w" with "z", and the "m" is in a totally wrong place. Not to mention that to type a period, or any number, it requires that one push shift as well as the key. ARRGHH -- I dont know how much more I can write as this is starting to drive me mad.)
I learned when I was 6 or 8 how to surf. I had not touched a surf board since, despite living minutes from the beach for two years. Since I am in such a big surfing town I decided to give it a whirl. I rented the equipment and headed to the nearby beach. Unfortunately, the waves were quite large and the current strong. I tried on several occasions to swim out, but my attempts were futile. Every time I was tossed and turned and shaken about like a ragdoll by a little girl having a temper tantrum. A trudged down the beach lugging my board and sopping, sandy wetsuit. I reached another beach that seemed more reasonable. I suited up and again attempted to swim out to the waves. No success. After asking several experienced surfers, they all suggested to head back to Biarritz (I was in another small town where I rented the equipment). After taking buses and walking a bunch, I arrived at La Plage Cote de Basque. The ocean was filled with little black specks of surfers. The sun was hidden behind a large cloud, yet its glowing rays managed to beam through, showering everything with a golden aura. 'Twas a glorious sight. I marched down to the beach, donned my wetsuit, and ventured into the water.
I didn't do any tricks, let alone stay up for more than a millisecond, however, I am very proud of myself for trying something new, that was physically challenging and in a foreign country, alone, no less. There were definite moments of intense frustration, physical discomfort/pain like when I dropped the board on my little toe while carrying it, and feelings of wanting to give up, but I persisted and I came through it. And I'm that much more ready for whatever adventures tomorrow holds.

Stone Beach

Collioure, France

First I must say that if I dont write much it is because the keyboard is retarded and im running out of minutes. It is beautiful here. the beaches are stone. All the little buildings and homes are bright colors. It is quiet and peaceful. I arrived this morning by train. I watched a painter paint and a fisherman fish, both old men. Nice, quiet moments.

D-Day Beaches

Bayeux, Normandie France

Two days ago, I took a train up to Bayeux near the beaches where the D-Day invasion occured during WWII. I stayed in a friendly little hostel there called, "Family Home." I met a couple fellow American travellers and they invited me to hang out with them. They were using a website called Couchsurfing.com and had arranged for a local French woman to hang out that night and then drive them around to the beaches the following day. So the woman, Natalie, invited me along to go with them to the beaches. After a feast of a breakfast provided by the hostel, we three travellers, ventured off to the local supermarket where I bought some apples, a baguette, water, and fresh sausage and cheese for lunch. Natalie picked us up and we were off. I was very fortunate to have met them and Natalie, because I didn't want to take a tour for fear it would have been too rushed... I had thought I would walk which I later realized would not have worked because of the great distances.
The whole experience was very emotional. The beaches, the cemetary, the giant cannons occasionally located here and there (near museums usually), it was very sad. Even just writing this now, I am getting teary-eyed. If it wasn't for Steven Spielberg and "Saving Private Ryan," I don't think I would have gone to those places and had that experience. The whole area was beautiful, so lush with trees and grass. At one cliff, there were even wild blackberries growing and I ate one. It was delicious. It was a beautiful day and a meaningful experience.

Art and Walking

Paris, France

Overall, I am rather exhausted. I have been viewing art and walking like mad the past couple days. On Friday I went to the Chateau Versailles. For those who don't know, it is a huge mansion that was probably one of many homes for a very wealthy family (the information listed above is by no means accurate). It was interesting to see the sheer size of the place, but it was literally swarming with hordes of people and that was rather unpleasant. Then I ventured into the gardens which probably go on for miles. I walked to the bottom and had lunch. Then I walked back. After Versailles, I stopped off at the Musee Dorsay. I checked out all the wonderful impressionist works and then visited the temporary exhibit including works by Picasso, Van Gogh... now I'm blanking on the others, but it included many masters. Yesterday, I took it easy, at least on the art. I did do a lot of walking.
Today I went to the Louvre, walking there. Then I walked to the Notre Dame Crypt. Walking walking walking. I'm probably in spectacular shape. I'm tired and need to get rest so I can walk some more tomorrow.

Arrived in Paris!

Wow. I am exhausted! It's four o'clock here and for my body it's eight in the morning. I feel like sleeping, but I'm doing what I can to stay awake so that maybe I can have a seamless adaptation to the new time zone. I was a bit overwhelmed at the airport after getting through customs and everything. I purchased a phone card and then made several attempts to call the friend of my aunt's who I will be staying with for a couple days. I left some messages, but didn't know if it was his phone. I managed to get directions for the metro to the man's address (his name is Dick). The train ride from the airport into the city was quite interesting. So much graffitti on the walls. I had to endure a muslim woman singing way out of tune trying to make money. I wondered if the purpose was for her to sing until someone paid her to stop. After getting to Dick's abode, we talked for a bit and then he took me around the neighborhood. He is very centrally located. Dick is quite an interesting fellow. Definately a character for a movie, as is his apartment a location for the same movie. I think I'm worrying too much about theft. I also can't perceive staying at a hostel with my large pack and whatnot, but I'm sure that as I adjust to this time zone, I'll feel a lot more comfortable about everything. That's all for now. Bonsoir.

Two days 'til the adventure begins

I am slightly stressed as I make final preparations for my trip to Europe. In less than 48 hours I will be on my way to Paris. I have 93% of everything that I will be taking with me. I feel a bit overwhelmed by the tasks that I still have to accomplish prior to my departure and the amount of time that I have. However, I know that everything will be finished and I will be fully prepared for my travels.