Salut tout le monde! Yesterday, we (the whole group of 30-some students I'm with) went to Marseille for a tour. We spent the morning in the bus riding around town. Marseille is gorgeous. I absolutely love it. Some of my friends and I are going back next Saturday to enjoy it some more. After our morning tour, we had some free time which I used to get in a little bit of shopping (don't worry, Mom, I only came away with a handbag that was on sale) and a little bit of sun at a small beach called the Plage des Catalans. Seth, Rachel, Steven, and I opted to stay a little longer than the rest of the group that went back on the buss at 6pm. We caught another bus back, which was only 4.60euros and completely justifies subsequent visits to the city.

Today, Rachel, Seth, and I took advantage of the sun some more for our first real piquenique. There's a park very close to our apartment full of long expanses of grass, local aixois, and hungry ants. After savoring my carefully constructed sandwich (I've said it before and I'll say it again--there's nothing like a good sandwich), I fell asleep with my book in hand, and I woke up to the sound of local French chatter in little groups around the park and a duet of acoustic guitars. C'est belle, la vie.

Marseille, a view from the basilica Notre Dame de la Garde

Seth and Rachel

Notre Dame de la Garde

interior, it's full of boats because whenever Mary would save a sailor, they donate either a painting or some representation of a boat to the church

Definitely picnicking here in the future

French word of the day:

piquenique (peek neek) = picnic

On a bien mangé à la piquenique aujourd'hui.