Ahhhh...how relaxing to be on a break from school for awhile!! Our weeklong February break started Monday, and I have done nothing but chill out. While many friends are gone in Italy, I decided to kick back in Aix for awhile. It's been nice to save the costs of travel and lodging, and staying in Aix has given me some time to myself. In addition, I've had more time to cook elaborate meals (vegetable curry with couscous; spinach and goat cheese ravioli with market fresh sun-dried tomatoes). Miles came to visit late Friday after what sounded like a wild few days in Torino. The Olympics were amazing, he reports...he got to see men's freestyle moguls, a US hockey game and a medals ceremony, among other things. Though jealous I couldn't make it to the games, I was more than happy to have a familiar face here to stay for awhile. I had a blast showing Miles around my little Provencal town in between his naps...he barely slept the entire time he was in Torino. We went to the Saturday market: my absolute favorite thing to do in Aix. We spent time in cafes, watched a few movies (The New World, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, among others), ate delicious meals, drank Mort Subite (a delicious beer whose name means 'sudden death'), indulged in way too many pastries from the 24 hour boulangerie. Overall, we had a blast.
One day we were feeling particularly motivated so we took a small hike just out of town. Though the first half of the hike consisted mostly of narrow paved roads, it was STEEP!!! Our derrieres were absolutely burning by the time we reached the top. We discovered a large forested area with multiple trails, among construction fences (truly a la francaise). We reached an amazing view of a dam, a small reservoir and Mt. Sainte Victoire in the background. Of course, being the burly Coloradans we are, we stared fatigue in the face and decided to make it to the dam before lunchtime. The reservoir, though very small, was extremely quaint. We ate a meal of (what else) baguettes, cheese (Tomme de Savoie), wine and a tartelette aux framboises (that's raspberries for all you non francophiles), then explored the dam a bit. Built with the funds of Emile Zola's father, the dam was originally used as a water supply for Aix, but is no longer. It is now an emergency reserve, mainly there for history and beauty's sake. No swimming is allowed, but I imagine as the months warm up I may disobey the signs that warn against it. It's amazing what one can get away with by batting eyelashes and saying "je ne parle pas bien francais". Haha.
Miles had to leave today: a long and tiring overnight bus back to Madrid. Since his bus didn't leave until 11pm from Marseille, we decided to spend part of the day exploring the port town before he had to set off. For anyone who has been to Marseille, it is admittedly not the nicest city on the map. With a massive impoverished immigrant population, Marseille provides a stark contrast to the middle to upper class of Aix. However, we had a pleasant day exploring the port, eating delicious food (seafood for Miles...Marseille is famous for bouillabaisse) and checking out churches and clocktowers. We even witnessed a major beer drinking extravaganza at an Irish pub on the port: I guess there was a huge British soccer or rugby game going on. I was sad to see Miles go, but now it's off to my next adventure. Starting tomorrow I have a 3 day trip to Venice for all the masks, clowns and crazy festivities of Carnaval, Italy style.