Well i have been having a great last couple of weeks.
I went on an excursion to Avignon. This was a lot of fun! We arrived at the old walled city at about 10am. Started out walking up a stone spiral staircase that was inside of a tower until we reached the top of the city wall. Then we walked on the top of the walls and up a hill to the highest point in the town. We got some great views of the city, the many cathedrals, the Pont(bridge) d'Avignon, and the Rhone river. And then we made our way over to a huge "place" where we could see the palace des Papes (the Pope moved to this city for a couple hundred years back in the 14 century). He built a fortress right in the middle of the town. pretty cool stuff. I had been here in 2006, so i did not pay to go inside with the rest of the group. Instead i just wandered the streets and got myself lost. I found a lot of cool things as i went. Passed a group of folk singers, saw a wedding in progress thru open cathedral doors, found a secret garden. I also stumbled into a crazy art gallery where i was given a glass of Rosé (don't worry it was already noon, perfect time for a chilled glass of wine in Provence). And i chatted it up with the artist for a little while. and then i got to find a big market to walk thru. The town was so cool. And i ate the biggest charwarma of my life! mmmm.
After Avignon we all took the bus to Pont du Garde. one of the most famous monuments in France. It is an old Roman Aqueduct they helped carry water 500km. It was really neat to visit this place again (i had went in 2006). I did a little hiking around the Pont and crossed to both sides. I even took a little nap. This place is a must see if you make it down to Provence.
So the excursion was awesome!
Just yesterday I went to "Les Calanques"=best hiking in my life! these are white stone finger shaped cliffs that span the 20km between Cassis and Marseilles. the water is the bluest that the Mediterranean has to offer. and the views are just spectacular. I will never forget this hike. and i have got to go back soon! When we stopped for lunch in En Veau, i looked around and i could not believe the place that i get to eat. It doesn't even compare to any experience i have had in Georgia. Oh yeah, and at lunch time, we got to see the French rescue team run some helicopter exercises right in front of us for like 20 mins. they were lowering people onto cliffs and then they would leave and come back and rescue them. It was pretty entertaining. Man, that was a great hike.
So... I also finally got to move into a new and renovated dorm! It feels like a 5 star hotel compared to that last place. I have got my own fridge, toilette and shower. Plus hardwood floors and an amazing view of the french countryside. you wouldn't believe what i get to wake up to.
So i have had a busy week so far. and my grandparents (Jojo and Papa Don) are supposed to be arriving tomorrow! cross your fingers that they can get on the plane (they are coming standby). But i have got a lot of fun things planned for us. If they get here, we will be going to a wine tasting, touring a chocolate factory, visiting Marseilles, and climb the famous Mont Saint Victoire. Of course we will be doing a lot of relaxing at cafés and checking out all the cool/historic places in Aix. So if you want to do all this stuff too, then get your butt out here!
Alright, that should keep you fascinated and jealous for a little while. I will try to post again soon. I hope your lives are all going well!
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