Seriously lovely weather here! And, even more lovely people!
Today, I met some of Monique’s art students. I think I mentioned that Monique is an artist. She teaches some classes here periodically. I’m not sure how often. But, it was interesting to meet the students. One of them is from San Francisco. We had a nice chat about our respective California locations. I told her that my goal was to learn french, and she said I would. Just being immersed in the culture will do it, she said.
In the last days, I have been taking the opportunity to get a good “lay of the land” here in Aix en Provence. I have been ambling along, sometimes aimlessly and sometimes not, in an effort to get to know my home away from home for the next few months.
Since I have been feeling a bit under the weather, I haven’t felt like venturing out too far yet. But it’s given me a great opportunity to take the time to see what’s around me. I am usually in a frenzy of activity, trying to move from one activity to another especially when I am exploring a new area. This time, though, I am taking a relaxed pace and stopping to smell the roses along the way. I think I am seeing and experiencing more than ever before. Ah, the joys of a forced relaxation.
Aix en Provence is a very walkable city, which I remember from my last visit here. You can walk from one end of the city proper to the other, both north to south and east to west, relatively easily. I’ve done it quite a number of times by now. Each time, I go a different way, down one small, winding street that leads to another, until I finally come to one of the main streets that I recognize. And, then I wander down that street until I get tired. If I go out early enough, I can wander through a variety of markets as I go along. There’s a market of some type or another every day here in Aix. It’s quite a relaxing and entertaining way to spend the day.
I have to say that I have found good food on my rounds here, so far….and, I think I am at the tip of the iceberg on that. From what I read, there are quite a number of excellent places to eat here. Yesterday, I walked around the corner to an Alsacian restaurant…cute little bistro. I have walked by there many times, now. I have never seen anyone there, but Monique recommended it. So, I decided to try it. I’m glad I did…..sauerkraut and sausages…Alsatian comfort food….felt like I was really in the Alsace. YUMMY!
Today, I finally found the elusive “drôle d’endroit”, although I have to say that I still had a hard time locating it. I slid in just before the time of my reservation I will be visiting there again, so I will need to master the route a little better. But, I now see what everyone is talking about…..good food and nice people….and kind of a funny decor. I had salmon with a mustard sauce and rice. It was quite good.
I also met Dominique and Mairie Angel, the proprietors. They are also friends of my San Luis Obispo “coach”. What a nice pair. And, their english is quite good, which I appreciated. (Frankly, in these days with this travel illness, I have not been able to focus well on interpreting the french. I was glad to talk with someone whose english was good.) When I introduced myself and said that I was a friend of my “coach”, their faces lit up! They remembered her and, in fact, Mairie Angel said she was just thinking about her this weekend. What a coincidence! We had a nice chat, and they suggested that I should come back many times while I am in town. I agreed!
I have to say that it has been quite nice to have an entree with some people here in Aix via my “coach”. I don’t think I have ever had that experience before when traveling. What a treat!
I also made it a point today to check out all of the public transportation options here. I have now figured out the bus system inside of Aix and am working on the bus transportation to places outside of Aix. Also have a good handle on the trains. So, when I am ready to roll in my usual fashion, I will know just how to go from place to place. Good stuff!
My future is also looking bright as I have now been in touch with a few wineries that I think will be fun and interesting to visit.
First, I have been in touch with Kristin Epinasse. She and her husband own a small, new winery near Bandol. Kristin writes a fun newsletter introducing people who are interested in learning french to new friend words. I checked in with her to see about doing some wine tasting. She will keep me posted on tastings that they have….there should be at least one in the time I am here. The tastings are done in her home, as the winery is quite new and doesn’t have a tasting room yet. This promises to be a fun and interesting time. More fun people!
I now, also, have an entree for a tour and tasting at Beaucastel in Chateneuf de Pape thanks to a connection through Tablas Creek, a winery up the road from where I work in Paso Robles. I will be heading out to visit them in November.
So, in conclusion, I’ll just say, “It’s a wonderful day in my neighborhood”. How about yours!
bon soir!
Travel With Betsy 
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