march madness

Spring is officially here!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

I am sorry it has been a couple weeks since my last post. I didn't do too much worth while since then. I climbed the mountain here twice. And the second time was definitely the most fun i have had On Mont Saint Victoire in the 8 or 9 times i have climbed it. I went up the difficile (difficult path) which involves a little bit of rock climbing. Then just chilled at the top with the friend that went with me. After we woke up from a mountain top nap we went and hiked the ridge line for a mile and then decided to bushwhack our way down to a village we saw. This seemed like it would be easy as pie. But oh no, it was not. took about 3 hours to get down and to this village (Vauvenguardes). We ran into cliffs and walls of bushes and trees. But we pushed thru and finally made it back to flat land! It was great. And we still had time to check out the village before the bus left for Aix.


(the way up)


(the way down)

Other than this. I went into Marseilles again and had a charwarma by the Mediterranean Sea. Got lots of rest. Finished Harry potter number 5. I just started number 6 today!

I went to my friends 41st birthday party on Saturday. It was a blast. We started with a little petanque tournament and some grenadine. My team made it to the finals. And then once more people showed up and night fell. we lit up the grill and started opening up the bottles of wine. There must have been 50 people at this house out in Tholonet (about 15 mins drive from Aix) Great atmosphere and great food. And then at about 11 some friends from Tunisia came over with there drums and put on a show for like an hour and a half. so things got loud and crazy for those of us still there. Oh, yeah the birthday boy is a huge cigar guy, and someone gave him a box of cubans. So I got to try a Cuban (don't worry, they are legal here). And then as the night really wound down I got to talking to a guy there about a possible job opportunity here. So cross your fingers for that. But yeah i got a ride home from a french guy at the end of the night. It was a good time, and i am sure we will have a few more outings there. Especially when they open up the pool!

So i also got thrown into a petanque group that meets every week. And so i went and had some fun this Sunday with them. I schooled a couple old french guys, always fun to do. We played 3 rounds. And now i am so hooked on this game. It is the French equivalent to Bacci, i guess. But since i do not have my Koob game here, this is a great replacement, and classic french. i will have to buy a set and bring home to share. (maybe we will get a game going at the Backyard BBQ?)

well that should just about catch you up. I have only got 3 more weeks of school here, so right now i am trying to plan my 2 months free time (french schools make no sense). I will try and keep you updated on that. And if anyone wants to come for a visit, just let me know and we can start figuring it out. I already have Jojo and Don, Mark and Angie, and my household coming over. But i got plenty of time for you too.

Have a great week everybody. I know i will in this 60 degree sunny park weather!