New Bompard Marseille

... even a few unaccompanied women sneak past.

After I've had enough excitement for the evening I walk back to the station to wait out the rest of the night. Its only 2am, so I've got some time to kill. I end up talking with an old man who is standing in front of the station smoking a cigarette. After a brief chat, he invites me back to his place to wait for my train. He seems friendly enough, and the prospects of waiting in the cold for three more hours aren't ...

... on Sundays, when nothing really opens – the French here observe their ‘dimanche’ a lot more than we do at home, which I think shows a great respect for tradition, even if it is religious, and for the importance of spending time with family. But there’s still one French tradition I can’t get used to: men kissing each other on the cheeks...God knows what would happen if they put mistletoe into the equation!

Charlotte x

... in devil ears, 1 batman, 1 Spiderman, a copule dudes in masks, 2 girls with just some random fake blood on their face, 3 poorly represented Village people, and a guy who we think was Peter Pan, but he had cardboard fairy wings so we're not sure. All in all, Halloween ended up being a pretty fun night, but we certainly missed being home for this day! Now we are off to the Rhone Valley for some great wine... in a CAR! Stay tuned.

... Argh! I tried to get him to go up into the town and explore, but I couldn’t drag him further than a few blocks - worry that we needed to be back in time…?!?!

Finally around 4, they opened the gate so we could drive in. Only to find the ticket office didn’t open until 6pm. While waiting, we talked with a lovely Frenchcouple who were completely unperturbed at our lack of language ...

... Aix...oh, the Brits abroad, mon dieu! Still, best 6€ I've ever spent. We've also been along to the cinema. Embarassingly, it was to see Fame but I'd like to point out how important cinema, and going to the cinema, is to the French. There are at least 3 cinemas in Aix, and there are huge film posters everywhere. 'Le Cezanne', has it's name lit up, and, unlike at home, the seats are like armchairs and there's plenty of leg room. But, like at home, it's bloody ...

... year 2009 was right here under my nose the entire time just waiting for me to wander into it. Walking around Marseille this afternoon was a hundred times more rewarding than a morning aimlessly traveling the countryside within a train car. I got to experience what a melting pot is like somewhere other than the US and I will have to say the flavors are a little richer over here. I think the French would give you a different opinion though based on the few I spoke with.

... of the Frioules and Chateau d'If--well known from Alexandre Dumas' The Count of Monte Christo. Becalmed at one point, Rob was ready to turn around, but our friend wanted to continue past the rocks until we could see the next town along the shore, Cassis. We were out on the water as the sun lowered, and the temperature lowered, and at one point Rob and I were huddled in a duvet, and wearing extra jackets, trying to stave off the cold and our frozen feet. That ...

... going in the right direction I asked a local and he confirmed that I was nearly there. As I come to the top of the hill just about to step into the street I wanted a guy comes up to me talking real friendly in french. I tell him I don't speak french and try to continue walking. He stops me and says Oh, you are English and starts talking to me about soccer. I really have no interest in soccer but he keeps rabbiting on about soccer stars "Zidane" and "Beckam ...

... FRIED. Its basically a ham, turkey, white cheese sandwich on white bread, dipped in egg batter and fried and Oh so yummy. But I digress. I saw the movie, The Compte of Monte Cristo in 2002. The scene of the cliffs and prison made such an impression. I wanted to see those cliffs and the coastline. I had no idea that in just 5 short years I would be standing there. Everyone cautioned me about going to Marseille. Its a port city ...

Hi again, this time we have been in the countryside for a week now and today have just returned to paris. Well we took a fast train from paris to marseille which only took like 3 hours, but was sooo fast trying to take in the scenery was a big hard as it was wizzing by so fast! Marseille was OK, we only spent one night there is a cute but expensive hotel up in the hills, it was pretty cool crusing the streets there finding the patisserie late at night and checking ...