Spring is in full swing with flip flops and all. I don't know what happens to all the people during the winter but the cafés are totally packed now. Aix had a grand parade yesterday which Bruno and I watched from the other side of a huge icecream glass. Wow, French people really know how to do it up. If I hadn't of known better I would have thought I was in Venice for Carnival. O yes, and the men dooo love to dress up as pretty ladies. lol.

Heading to Salsa lessons tonight.

NO school yet.

Going to Prague or Budapest will be real accomlishment at this point. I will need walk to Italy and leave from there. It seems this coming week the national strike begins; most importantly, train and bus employees. The students at the fac are still planning the national assembly here in Aix. The fun begins next Saturday.

I had an afternoon on the water's edge in Marseille yesterday. Talk about relaxing. It was about 4pm so the sun was just right, not overpowering but enough to bask in, and the sailboats were coming in for the day so they were all in viewing proximity. Being not quite the weekend or summer, we had the whole place to ourselves. And it was around 70 degrees, 74 with a glass of wine.

.....I mean....I can't wait for classes to start again.



Adriana: the nez news: it's good. No probs thus far. What are you irritated about? I went to a shop and asked if there is a smaller thing and he said no but he lied cause I found one. But I am afraid it will fall out. In any case, you can't see it hanging out of the bottom of the nez. Miss you, and yes, pompier news will be delivered today. Please excuse the messages, I just couldn't stop laughing.

Suprise suprise, la Greve continue. I am sure by now everyone has heard of the violent protests in Paris against the CPE. There was a big protest in Marseille last weekend and another today..they like setting cars on fire there. And the students at my university want to organise a national assembly on our campus. That's to say, bring what's going on in Paris to Aix - it's not going over to well but they are "searching a solution." Needless to say, classes aren't going to start any time soon. Most students who are not fired up about things have decided to travel: Amsterdam and Rome are popular greve vaca destinations. Personally I'm looking at catching a flight to eastern Europe...might be a bit safer.

Weather is extrodinary and the pastries taste even better in the sunshine. That about sums it up in this neck of the woods. Gros bisou!!

Not a whole lot happening around here. The strike is still going strong and there is rumor of extending the semester into July due to the now 3 weeks of missed class. In the mean time I have been perfecting the art of doing nothing and not going stir crazy...you laugh but it's difficult. I sleep in, have breakfast and listen to the radio, then slowly wander through the markets and revel at all the wonderful french delicacies. I return chez moi and check email then have a little lunch. By this time it's 2ish and I pack my books and head into town, installing myself in either a park or a cafe and read until I am antsy or hungry then take an hour walk in whatever direction my legs carry me. This is where things can get crazy. After the walk I can either reinstall myself at a cafe with a glass of wine instead of coffee, with a friend or alone. Or, if there is an activity at the Mejane or o movie I want to see, this is when it happens. You see all the options in that last part? It gets a little stressful sometimes. Finally, somehow I end up talking with someone until about 1am when I go to bed and rejuvinate myself for another busy day.

In all this sitting and observing I have noticed that the French and Europeans in general have got an amazing knack for conversation. I realize that in an effort to streamline myself and be as efficient as possible in order to profit from my busy scheduele in Chicago, I have lost the ability to sit for hours with someone and never have a silent, akward moment. It is really impressive to see the cafes in action. Sometimes the topics are serious, sometimes superficial but it is always something, moving flawlessly between a million ideas. It took someone pointing this out to me for me to realize how boring I can be. When asked "how do you like Aix" I answered politely and briefly so as to not sound arrogant or over opinionated. This french gentleman sat staring at me waiting for more and I had nothing to say. He then said "yes, that seems very Americian. Talking too much is a bad thing because there isn't time for it." I thought about this and I realized that my answer to his question could have been quite long but indeed I didn't want to talk too much. So in the name of anti-efficiency and French cafes, I strive to be long winded and take pleasure in other long windeds.

In other news, the strikers have begun to take over the city. They play dead on the steps of the town hall or wave their flags in the middle of the Rotonde blocking rush hour traffic. They take a break and at about 10:30 they get a second wind from all the beer they drank and attempt to wave their flags and shout again. Looks like everyone is having a good time here in Aix.

PS Fuller: I was calling to talk to you sir! I will give you another try today or tomorrow. Can't wait to see how you've been. Ciao

O girls, thanks for the messages. Those were much needed. :)

Ems: Rilke is in my bag and I am on the way to The Two Boys. Thank you for the gift. I am really looking forward to reading it and thinking about you the whole time. I am so glad you (and your enterage) were able to come on such last minute's notice. It wouldn't have been the same without you.

Adriana: I accept your request to continue cherching a discoteque. lol. There won't ever be class again so I should have plenty of time. The nez is good....can't wait to get a shorter thing. I don't dig the bull look. Are the Ps really angry or just a little deranged? Nice philosophical meditation there....quite impressive for a jet lagged girl @ 6am. I propose Emily's solution...meet in the middle on an island and we can "transcend into a higher state of intellectual splendor" there.

PS: I NEEEEED to be there too.

BISOU!!!!!! I love you tout le monde

Where to begin? This past week was so wondeful. All those crazy Ameeericans where here. Dan tried to get sick the first day but after a good nights rest he was back in the groove of coffee and cafes. The 7 of us hung out in Aix, eating and visiting, until Tuesday when we headed to Nice. After we settled in in our apartment we began what would become our ritual of eating. All 7 headed out to discover exactly what kind of french goodies we could find to whip up in our kitchen. Tuesday we started our dinner around 6:30 with pre dinner snacks and wine, of course. We had fresh salad, fresh fish pasta, the smelliest cheese we could find and after we couldn't eat any more, we had dessert. It is quite impressive how many bottles of wine 7 people can drink over the course of a 4 hour meal.

Wednesday we woke up, filled oursevles with baguettes and fig jam and headed in to discover Nice. Lots of walking involved there. Then back to the apt for another long, wine and cheese filled dinner.

Thursday was Monaco. It is beautiful but unlivable, unless you like living in a little plastic world. The views on our bus ride were extrordinary. Then we dined at a retaurant back in Nice.

Friday Dan and Adriana made breakfast and then we romped around Nice doing a little shopping and sun basking at the cafes. Beautiful weather! Then it was back to chez nous for another wine filled wonderful dinner.

Saturday morning we dragged our weary selves to the bus and headed back to Aix. Back in Aix we split up and the finished anything remaining to be done in Aix: buy french shoes, eat croque Madames, say bye to Brigitte. Then we ate. You must see the theme here. Our days osolated around meals and they were always long and very tastey.

This morning everyone got on the big blue bus for the airport at 8 am. I am more homesick now than ever. Having my three best friends here for a week was so wonderful, as if no time has passed since I was with them in Chicago. I realized that the feeling of "home" depends upon the people you are with, not the geographic location. It was so nice to be home for a week.

My university was closed all week for the strike and rumor has it that it will continue next week.

4.5 weeks till Oma and Dad get here....I am counting down the days!

Le Fac est Fermé and I'm going to Nice

Monkey Squad: The apartment in Nice is paid signed and sealed. Are we still planning on Monday through Friday? The train will be about €60 round trip and the homestead will be around 60USD per person. WOOOT we are gonna live in Nice.
Caution: it got a bit chilly. It snowed for about 2 seconds today. Although there is discusion of whether is was actually snow.

Anyone wondering about this apartment business: The 7 arrive from Chicago on Saturday and we have rented an apartment in Nice from Monday to Friday. It will surely be a wonderful time.

The Fac, my universtiy, is closed due to a student body strike. After heated speaches about democracy and students' rights they took an official vote which was a raise your hand kind of deal. Anyone who looked like they might vote against a strike was given the french stare of death and persuaded to abstain. Needless to say, they won. They are now "occupying" the university = sleeping in the grand hall and creating the great wall of China in front of the doors out of desks, chairs and tables. After the wake up call and coffee, they stand arm in arm in front of the doors, screaming unrecognizable french things, and refusing to let anyone through. Magnificent to see these students organize themselves. If anyone tried this aux Etats-Unis, it would be stopped on the basis of a fire code violation...o the irony.

OK we have two choices and I am going to book one tomorrow. If you can call me tonight and tell me your choice I would love u.

1 is the one dan found

2 www.homelidays.com reference 73443

BIZ and see u in 3 days!!!!!!!!!!

Hoffman are you there? I can't figure out how to use AIM on this computer. Did u leave the message about 148..? Looks good. A little expensive. Did u find the one I was trying to send. Emily gave a thumbs up. It is 58818 on the website.

an hour later....

Ok I just emailed 973623912 people about apartments for next week. Lots of them are wonderful and in the heart of Nice or Cannes or something charming like that. Lots of them only sleep 5 people. However, for our teeeeny budgets I think these places next to the beach are worth a couple nights on the floor. I don't mind. Tell me if you do. I will send links to places that I get responses for. I tried to stick to places that had markets and night life around them as well as beaches and that included terraces for breakfast and such. I feel like that will make pretty much everyone happy. See you soon.

Loyola Spring Break

OK, Kids..... the apartment for Hyere is a no go. Check this one out: http://www.vrbo.com/58818 I am still waiting to hear if it requires a car to get there. But it is close to Nice and it looks beautiful. I haven't had time to do much research so tell me what you think. Also, emily suggested Geneva. Sounds good to me but the little research I did looks quite expensive to get there. By train: €135 and by bus it is not possible from Aix, gotta go to Paris. I am at the Fac but I will brainstorm later today. Can't wait for you to get here!!!!!!!!!!

Since Emily let the cat out of the bag, I might as well mention my night that ended in the morning. I met my Marseille friends at where else but O'Shannans then we were off to a disco. The Frenchies follow this particular DJ and I was just along for the ride. Anyhow, I have never danced so long or so hard in my life. You all know I am a bit of a dance aholic but I was just keeping up with these people. Finally at 430 when the DJ stopped and my feet fell off, we quit. This is the real reason French people can eat the foods they do and stay slim: they jazzercize untill the wee hours of the morning.

Dad: I laughed so hard at your message that the people in the computer lab started looking at me funny. I can't wait to see you here.

Adriana: Your class is on Kant's first critique? I am reading the second I think: The critique of practical reason. In any case, I need your geniusness in the south of France in approximately 7 days.

The Mickey Mouse Club: How do you all feel about Valencia? It's €100 to take the bus. Otherwise I am thinking French beach town, wine and cheese + Kant's Critique of Practical Reason...or just wine and cheese.

The curse of the Train Fines

I just returned from a very short trip to Paris. I stayed a little over 24 hours. Jen and I went then she left for Amsterdam and I decided that Paris just isn't very exciting without someone to share it with. So I spent the morning and afternoon with Monet, Degas, Manet, and some of their friends at the D'Orsay. I got on a train that left 2 hours before mine was suppose to leave. Had I not done that I would have stayed in Paris because I recieved a phone call from Flo, who is there, inviting me out for the evening. Plus, I got fined on the train. If it runs on a track in Paris and is composed of many cars, I am destined to be fined on it. In anycase, I'm back in Aix. It feels a little like home now. This is the first time I have gone away and returned to "home" in Estelan.

The Banwagon comes in 8 days! HOOOT. Looks like the lot of us are going to Spain. I'm trying to convince a couple friends to come so we can have an even 10 people. I think we start getting group rates at that point.

St. Cannat

Today I tried to go to Mt. St. Victoire but after a series of missed buses Jen and I just got on the next random bus we saw. Went to St. Cannat. Very quaint little place. We had no idea where we were going but it turned out nicely. Basically we took a long walk through Provence. Tonight I am going to try out the Cafe philosophique at Le Festival and tomorrow, bright and early,we partons for Paris.

A Silent Sort of Sunday

Spent this rainy day reading away over coffee.

My dictionary broke in half. Now that's a well used book.

Yesterday, I saw a man riding a bicycle AND smoking a cigaret at the same time. I had to laugh out loud at that one.

The Brasserie de la Mairie is my favorite cafe. They play classical music and I have over heard two intense conversations about poetry and seen 2 artists and a poet there doing their creative thing. I just put all my books out on the table and try to fit in. The noise of coffee cups and the expresso machine are the perfect background for reading for hours on end.

I recieved my first two pieces of mail. Talk about a giddy girl! Thank you Clara and Mrs. H.

No class this week. Pheew, I needed a vacation from the intesness of long afternoons at the cafe and sleeping in. Ah, welcome to provence where even if you walk briskly people look at you funny.

I am going to stay here and continue spending all day at the cafe reading myself to ruin. But for several of those days, I will relocate the ritual to Paris. A friend and I are going just for kicks. There are two art exhibits and 3 books stores I plan to visit. In other words, I'm going to Paris to buy books and drink more coffee (and, of course, after 6pm the coffee turns to wine).

Next weekend I am going to Grenoble to visit the Sweeds and the Loco Mosquito.

Happy St. Valentine's Day. Sunday Flo's parents invited me over for lunch, along with two other foreign students. It was 4 hours of magnificent food and convo. After, we took a walk of the French variety... long and slow with no end and no particular goal. Drink Kirs, discuss philosophy and novels, eat 5 courses, and walk around the old port of Marseille. This is how the French have prefected the art of living. Sundays, nothing is open. There is no guilt of not being "productive" and all there is to do is be with family, friends, and coffee.

Euro Disco round 2

Last night was one of the best nights I've had since I've been out of the US, next to Loco Mosquito of course. Jen, my newest companion, and I met Bruno for dinner. It was lovely and long and full of conversation as a proper french meal should be. Here we are finishing dinner around 11pm and Bruno has to go home to wash dished before his girlfriend arrives from Paris so he escorts us to O'Shannon's and he is off. Jen and I order a "Sex on the Beach" and are chatting it up when someone taps us on the shoulder and invites us to thier table. There you have the crux of the evening. That was the end of any English conversation and the next 2.5 hours were a French frenzy. Salim, our buddy, was doing everything he could to help our langauge skills...patiently listening as we stuttered over ourselves. After a few more glasses of wine the convo was really flowing. O'Shannons closes at 2. I'm thinking the evening is over. O how mistaken I was. Off to the Skat (spelling?) for pretty good music and a great time of dancing. By 4 I was fatigued and Jen and I decided to leave. Outside this charming establishment we met Jaguar and Hash who we had met on Tuesday at a party for foreign kids. Although, they are french. We exchanged numbers after they escorted us to the Rotonde. And who just happend to be at the Rotonde but Salim and Co. who offered to drive us home. Thank goodness cause my pieds were barking.

Needless to say, I slept in this morning.

I bought a membership to the Mejane. This is the "City of Books" to translate. They have a lot of great resourses and cultural events. The symphony was there but I missed it a cause de my coffee date with Ariane. It's also a great study space. I can check out CDs and sing along with the Frenchies to aid my accent. There is a film about Africains and King Louis XVII there today. I'm going to see what that is all about.

It's a Boy....Kathleen and Allen are having a Boy. Yippeee for elephants and sheep!

Mom, send gum.

Carrefour....C'est pas la peine. But I got some stuff that makes my little Estelan nest feel more homey.

Ahh, yes, I DO love France

Yo Hoffman, my friend, I got an email notice today for a $75 fine at the library for a book you checked out under my card...The Seven Basic Plots. Just a little FYI. lol. Miss you... Bisou.


Things are really starting to take off. I have met some great people and I am really beginning to understand the language. For the first time last night, I understood one of the Quebec guys..yessssss. Tonight is the real test. There is a party for the foreign kids at a bar....

Classes started yesterday. I think I am going to like this. It is fascinating to be learning a culture's literature from the outside. It is really a different perspective on English Lit. Very enlightening. Also, I hope to be taking a class that is for foreign students that gives an over view of French Lit, something I have not had the privilage of formally studying before.

Today's Romantic Poetry fact of the day: Religion and Philosophy have failed. They are dead. What remains is Literature. It is modernity's medium for exploring reason and invention. Emily and Adriana... sorry. Dan, looks like you and I are on the right path.

MOST HAPPY belated long distance BIRTHDAYS to MEGAN and BOOPA!!!!! I had a french pastery in your honor.

Euro Danceclubs

Classes finally start tomorrow...YEAH! Although I only have one at 4....but i'll take what I can get.

Last night I had a drink at L'Unic with the other Loyola student here. Lovely. Then I went out witht he Canadians and one African guy. That was interesting. First, because the we were acting like loud Americans, the bouncer told us to quiet down and then proceeded to let about 25 people behind us in...we obviously were not liked. Nonetheless we made it in. Not sure how I feel about the Euro club. It was a strange mix between a time travel back to the 80s intersperced with some good 2006 music and a gay club. Bizarre. No drinks for me because I struggle to keep my identity as it is in broad daylight, muchless in a smokey loud bar with alcohol. Dancing requires no language and always makes me happy so it was a good release. Today I am going to Marseille to go to an art exhibit with Flo and her parents. Ciao

Breakfast in Aix

If I sit just right at my desk in the morning while I eat breakfast, the window frame blocks out the intustrial apartment across the rue and I have the most splendid petite view of the provencial rooftops and strange bare foliage. This morning there was mist settled inbetween the buildings. I don't have a radio so I am forced to eat with myself. It's quite nice actually. Tranquille. Now, I have a rendez-vous avec a newspaper and a coffee at the Festival. Have a healthy day.


Boopa: You have a blog? What is the address, if you please. I don't remember how I set up the preferences.

Dan: Any idea how to change the settings on these blogs?

Mrs. H: Your flower suggesting is JUST what my room needs. Tomorrow I shall buy flowers.

Emily, Adriana, Dan: Je vous pense tout le temps et votre messages sont tres cher a mois. Je vous aime beaucoup.

Emily: Green (or anything that will be wonderful)

Eveyrone: the address is
Mlle Anderson Nicole
Bât F Chambre F0513
Cité Universitaire Estelan
Avenue Général Leclerc
13621 Aix en Provence Cedex 1