Donner Kebab

Hey Everyone!

First off, I'd like to start with the pictures that were left out of the last couple of posts due to technical difficulties.

This is the Amboise Chateau viewed from the river

This is Da Vinci's last home
Interior of Bordeaux cathedral
Bordeaux wine festival
Carcassone's medieval city
The French countryside
Now that we have that over with, lets move on to my current travellings!

In Carcassonne, after heading back into the old town from the new town, I went to a restaurant suggested by my guide book and got one of those three course meals. This one was especially nice because it included a course of Cassoulet- a regional specialty of white beans and duck- and it included wine. I was sitting alone for a couple minutes preparing for a solo meal when a french couple was seated next to me by the hostess. Although the husband didn't know a lick of English, the wife knew a little and was willing to talk. Apparently they live in a little Alpine town in France and really enjoy it there. They have two kids- both in their late 20's, and they for some reason cant get a visa to the US to visit. Oh, and their friends who visited the US said all Americans are like big children. Haha, I have to think that's true for some people, or maybe the French just take themselves too seriously?

Later that night I talked a little more with my Mexican roommates and found out that one of them was going to be on my morning train the next day. The next morning I got up, had breakfast, and headed out with my Mexican friend. After stopping at the post office we walked around the new town a little more and then waited for the train to Marseilles.

Although the train was on time when it arrived, it began to stop during the journey for long periods of time. By the time it came to Aix-en-Provence, where my friend got off- it was two hours late! I hadn't experienced this side of French railroads, but I guess it happens every once in a while. I got into Marseilles, a seaside port city with tons of African and Arab influence, at about 5, checked into my hostel, and went out to see the big Cathedral that has come to be a symbol for Marseilles. From its place on top of the hill there are amazing views of the city, and the cathedral itself is spectacular inside it.


Upon return to the hostel I gave my little brother, Adam, a call since it was his 16th birthday, and then watched a little rugby and talked to a guy from Vancouver. He's on the tail end of his 2 month trip, but he had an amazing time so far.

This morning I got up, bought a chocolate croissant at a nearby bakery, and got on the bus to Aix-En-Provence, a small town about an hour out of Marseilles, which hosts a lot of cultural events. It was very pleasant and I realized that to get a real feel for the people of a town, go there on a Sunday when all the shops are closed and you can see the locals walking around. It was great, with tons of outside markets, small streets, and fountains.


The cathedral there was pretty impressive, although I think it was closed when I left because the Frenchman who let me out was mumbling something ominous-sounding under his breath. Haha. On my walk I saw a really cool pastry place and got a genuine French macaroon! It was chocolaty and delicious! They really know how to make good pastries here. Also, I did a very native thing of drinking out of a public fountain, which was cool and refreshing. After getting some cheap pizza which was better than most American pizza, I strolled around some more and got a feel for the city. Their annual cultural festival is going on now, but I cant go to any of the operas or concerts because the public transport stops before the events end. Bummer.

Now I'm back in the hostel, nursing my humidity-stricken body, ready to take on Arles tomorrow. Oh, and I finished East of Eden! The ending was the most amazing thing ever, and I'm considering it one of my favorite books. Steinbeck is incredible.

Stay Classy!