Radisson Sas Hotel Marseille

... made some friends had we the time and resources to put together costumes... I decided we were dressed up as Canadians, which I thought would have worked great until Tom pointed out that Canadians would probably speak more French. But we weren't really left out, there were only a handful of people dressed up. Overall; here is the tally of costumes in Aix on halloween: 2 girls in witch hats (with one stocking each), 5 ...

... Argh! I tried to get him to go up into the town and explore, but I couldn&#8217;t drag him further than a few blocks - worry that we needed to be back in time&#8230;?!?!<br><br>Finally around 4, they opened the gate so we could drive in. Only to find the ticket office didn&#8217;t open until 6pm. While waiting, we talked with a lovely Frenchcouple who were completely unperturbed at our lack of language ...

... poor university residences, the state subsidise the university restaurants and canteens. Friday, for example, I had couscous, carrots, runner beans and a beautiful piece of fish, followed by a piece of bread, a slice of tarte aux pommes and a small bunch of grapes, for 2,90&#8364;. Aixellent. Just need to balance the mentalities of trying to get a good grade, but at the same time knowing that this semester is only worth 3% of my whole degree, so it's time to relax before ...

... yesterday, Saturday, and it is cooler but still nice. The trip here was spectacular with many olive groves and big mountains. Today we went on a tour to Les Beax - another medieval town with a castle - poor Graham and on his birthday too. Then we went winetasting and to the premier olive oil producers in France. The Mistrql was blowing on the tour and it was very cold but warmer back here in the camp. Tomorrow we explore Aix on foot then we go to Avignon.

Marseilles is a great city to get lost in. It may even be a great city to find yourself in. Streets branch off at acute angles that leave buildings on corners sucking in their bellies and hanging on for dear life. They probably mark the spots where some ancient forebear- let's call him 'Desmond&#8217;- manned a barrow in the marketplace and the rest is history. The grid plan came later or elsewhere. This is more like a ...

... but my slice had definitely been a sub-par piece of pizza, and I told the French people as such.<br><br>The Marseilles contingent had told the the Canadian girl and I about Marseilles being a little bit dirty, but I did not see that at all. Maybe his casual warning simply reflected the French concern with elegance and grandeur, like I had come across in Paris. Although then again, since arriving here, the Marseilles people had poked fun at the two Parisians who had worked with ...

... out I am in carriage 3 and my ticket is for carriage 2. I then get off and there is the train guard I explain I was on the wrong carriage and covering the date pass the next guard asking if the carriages split as my luggage is on the other carriage. He says no. And points out where my seat is on the left. He explains there are no stops which is good as no more passengers will get on. Its 3 minutes until the train leaves and I find the seat is ...

... opted to go a half-notch upscale. For forty bucks and change net, I get some old European style with rough beams in the ceiling (including fake adze marks), a large bed, six stations of French TV, a sink, and... a bidet. I've got a bidet in my room, but no bath. ******* and shower are down the hall, five euros to bathe. While I contemplate the ceiling beam right over the bidet and the multiple uses to which a nylon rain ...

... to catch the ferry out to an island just off Marseille. The views were amazing and the water is beautiful. Lots of pics! Then wandered around the shops for a bit. There were actually women out on the streets! Over the weekend while walking around you hardly saw a woman in public, I figure that must be their days for ...

... Pizza Anchois (very literally pizza with tomato paste and anchovies, sounds boring but tastes delicious.) He was going to work at a restaurant at St Maxime for the summer and was leaving the following day, so it was goodbyes all round. There was a fresh breeze and a jovial atmosphere and our little party wound down at 2am. The others had had people over as well and just as we were going to sleep, some unfamiliars poked their head up and ...