Les Gens De Mer Marseille

... I stammer back
"Meguez?! How do you know Merguez?! Where did you first eat Merguez?"
"Canada"
He's shocked to hear that we've heard of Merguez in Canada. "Maybe the Algerian community is making it there" he guesses.

The places is packed, with a fun atmosphere. There's only the one man behind the counter, though once in a while a customer will go back to help themselves to a pop or more ketchup. There's plenty of banter, though most of it I don't ...

... I don’t mean against) about the future of Europe and ideas of European citizenship, especially in the current uncertain international climate.

Enough of that political rant – Uni has been going relatively well, keeping me busy with assessments most weeks, Russian and History last week, and another Russian one this week. My marks are OK, and I’m not worrying too much about it, just doing the best I can...be bothered to do, although did very well ...

... English in the entire town. We found our hostel super late at night (and they don't make hostels in France like they did in Spain... no more free internet!). The next morning, we walked into town not really knowing what to see or do. But as we were looking for a quick Petit Dejuner (breakfast) we stumbled upon the Saturday market. We sat at a cafe on the square and had the most amazing breakfast 5 euro can buy if you ...

... planning at all!

But tonight we’re talking a relaxing voyage by boat over the Medeterranian. Which will be followed by another. A few relaxing sailing days it would seems. Not exactly what I thought we were going to be doing, but it will work. We have our own berth with a shower and bed. Oh the luxuries never end! At least these 2 fools will rest well tonight and prepare for what lies ahead.

As it is nearly a month after my last entry, the time has come to write my third installment of mes aventures francaises...

Having spent most of my free time out with the girls (drinking far too much 1664 and sangria), I didn't think I'd have much to write about, hence the delay on this entry, however the length of this will probably tell you that I was wrong! For a start, we've had two 21st birthdays so far, Lizzie's and then Louise's today, so lots of celebrating ...

... end of that line though so we took a train right back to Marseille to connect to Aix-en-Provence.

I am pleased to report that I found my "France" in Aix-en-Provence and the city is an awesome place to chill. Aix really is a decent enough place to kill an hour or two and is only 30 minutes from Marseille. Funny thing is that while Aix took care of my touristical needs I was hungry for all that ethnic food back in Marseille. I guess I just can't have it all.
Marseille, Provence, France atlpilot36

... croissants that were a special treat when I was a student in Provence, at the bakery right next door to our hotel. One never finds them in Paris. The other pastries and savory items I saw brought back many fond memories. I can't imagine how I was so thin in those student days! Our meal our first evening was at our friend's mother-in-law's house--she an Amenian-Turkish immigrant now in her 90s, who moved to France before WWII, and who now lives with her daughter ...

... protects and looks after the city since 1214. From here we had views of the whole city. The landmark Romanesque-Byzantine basilica, towering on the highest point of the city (147m, or 482ft, above sea level), was built in the 19th century. Affectionately called the Bonne Mère (good mother), it is topped by a 9.72m (32ft) gilded statue of the Virgin ...

... not so much the top end stuff, it's the basic eateries. They all CARE about how their food tastes. The quality of the produce is high and it's fresh and a little bit of love and thought goes into the recipes and the preparation. A simple cheese sandwich is transformed. In fact, although I'll have to keep up the pretence of dislike for the cheese-eating-surrender-monkeys, I do love this country. The food, the lifestyle, the ...

... to help them solve their problems--or maybe it's my personality type (I'm an ENFJ, what are you?), but I just wanted to step in and take over the whole thing! Hah, it's probably just that I'm an imperialist. Wow, that was a long rant. I apologize. After falling asleep during several unnecessary speeches by people who were convinced that their role in the Académie was something 300 hung-over foreigners would be interested in, I and ...