Today was the day of my last Provencal History class day
trip. We had to meet at the hotel at 9 so I had to be up a bit before 8. It was
so not fun to have to wake up. I miss sleeping in! I miss summer where I just
have to be up before noon! But I usually don’t mind waking up early as long as
I don’t have to get out of bed. I love lying in a warm bed in the mornings. It
is probably one of my favorite things. But anyways I didn’t get to do that and
rolled out of bed to get ready to go. Madame was already up as usual and had
breakfast on the table. I ate breakfast being very careful not to break the
glass this time and when I was done got all my stuff together to go. I showed
her my new coat and she really liked it. She was surprised I had found it so
cheap too. But Marseille is truly a lot cheaper than Aix. I think that Aix is
like the novelty small town close to Marseille so they know that they can get
away with selling things at a higher price. But if you live here long enough
you learn which places are tourist traps, and where to get the cheapest water
and stuff like that.
So once I was ready I decided to leave and head over to the
hotel. I thought that I had Christmas music transferred from my computer to my
iPod but I didn’t so that was a bit sad. I wanted to listen to Christmas music!
But oh well. On my way to the hotel I ran into Gina who was talking to some
random guy and looked like she needed saving. So I saved her and we walked to
the hotel together. She said that the guy just like came up and started talking
to her which I hate when that happens. So we went off to the buses. Gina wanted
to sit in the back and I had forgotten to take a motion sickness pill so I
didn’t want to sit in the back. Sally was my seat buddy again so that was nice.
On the way to Avignon we talked about how we are sad to be
leaving but will be happy to be home in a way. She doesn’t really want to leave
at all but we both know that this place is being special because of the friends
that we have and the families that we have. She says that she never wants to
come back because it won’t be as special because it is made special by the
group. I kind of see that. I think there is definitely merit to that but I
think I still will want to come back and visit my host family. It will be
interesting to see what kind of person Paul turns into. I know it will be hard
to stay in touch with Madame but I want to try anyways. Sally and I talked for
most of the ride there about this and that. Mostly about France and our whole
experience. There is a cooking class to learn to make the chocolate truffles
which we want to try and do this coming Saturday. Also Catching Fire comes out
here on Wednesday so we want to do that this coming week. She has already seen
it because she went to the premiere but I haven’t seen it yet. It is out though
in every other European country except for here though. So that is a bit
annoying! But oh well. Just stay off of the internet to avoid spoilers :-).
When we finally got to Avignon about 45 minutes later we
didn’t really want to stop talking. We parked the bus next to the Pont
d’Avignon (bridge) with the promise that we would come back and could dance on
it before we left for the day. You have to dance on the bridge because there is
a children’s song here that is just as popular as ring around the rosy. So we
skipped past the bridge and went through the remains of the rampart that
surrounded the city and in to find ourselves in front of the enormous Palais
des Papes, or Palaces of the Popes.
Holy cow that was a big building! It was really cool looking
on the outside and looked like a castle because it was built in the castle
style architecture. It has the cut outs at the top towers and also the holes in
the wall that you could shoot arrows out of. It even had the towers above the
door that you could open the bottom of and throw things at enemies trying to
come in. It was pretty awesome! Though this being a religious place that wasn’t
exactly needed especially because it was protected by the Comte de Provence and
his army and then the French army. But it was still really cool looking. Our
bus split into two groups and my group went with our normal professor. We went
and toured the palace which was pretty cool. There were a lot of cool art
pieces and it was kind of cool to see the architecture and the rooms that they
used in the 1500’s. There were lots of bay windows where you could sit and look
out the window. I thought they were really pretty and I hope one day to have a
window like that that I can sit in and look out. I like sitting in windows and
have always want to be able to.
We walked around for a couple hours and looked at all the
rooms. There were some that were painted which we weren’t allowed to take
pictures of, so naturally I did a little bit. WHAT. Don’t tell! It was really
beautiful though. We saw where the monks would eat and where the pope would
live and one of the coolest parts of it I thought was seeing all of the
chimneys. I thought those were really cool and I can only imagine the amount of
work to keep all of those going all of the time during the winter so that no
one froze. Though maybe they did because weren’t monks supposed to use things
very sparingly? I think so. So I wonder how often they really did light them, though
because it was the pope I would think that they would light them more often
than most monasteries. We also learned that 1/3 of the annual budget used to go
to food. They would have 12 course meals every night, if that doesn’t sound
like indulging to me then I don’t know what is!
We also looked out the window of indulgence where the Pope
used to greet his honored guests because it overlooked the courtyard. He would
then forgive their sins and bless them and all that. Next we went up on top of
the building to a lookout tower. It was SOOO windy! The Rhone region gets more
wind than we do that is for sure! It was super windy that no one wanted to stay
out very long because it was already cold and with the wind it just got worse.
But it was really pretty to look out over Avignon. But it was very windy!
After that we all left the Palais des Papes and went through
Avignon to a little museum that had some sculptures in it that we had studied
at the beginning of the semester. It was kind of cool but also we were all
starving and ready to get lunch. Sally and I wanted to get home before 6 so
that we could go to a big firework show thing that was supposed to happen in
Aix at 6. Ideally we would have liked to be home at 4 to see the inauguration
of the Christmas lights but we knew that wasn’t going to happen. After a quick
run around the museum we were released or a two hour lunch break but we learned
we should be back by 5:30 to Aix.
We headed out in the
direction that Patrick said there was restaurants. He had come here earlier in
the term and stayed a weekend with the rest of the group but Sally and I hadn’t
been in town to go with. We went off in that direction and after a while
started drilling him on where the heck we were actually going because there was
nothing in sight the way that we were going. He said we were heading towards a
Japanese restaurant. Then a guy in front of us turned around and was like I
think you mates are going the wrong way and he pointed us back the other
direction. We thanked him and turned around. I have noticed here that when I
listen to other people who seem like they know where they are going, they don’t
really ever know… It is kind of annoying. I at least say I think it is this way
but I’m not sure. But oh well whatever. We found the place eventually that
Patrick was looking for but Sally didn’t want Japanese and I don’t eat seafood
so we were like why were we trying to find this place in the first place? So
then we went back to the main road and found a cute restaurant to eat lunch at.
Sally and I got Lasagna and Patrick got beef tartar. I can’t
get past the idea of eating raw meat and a raw egg, it just doesn’t sound
healthy to me so I haven’t had tartar. I also had tea which was really good and
I decided I miss tea and should try to find it more often. It was very good and
we had a nice time talking. The lasagna was delicious and came with a green
salad which was very healthy and I decided that I missed salads as well. It was
good and a lady sitting next to us that teaches English to foreigners leaned
over and started talking to us. She was really nice. Though then we left and
ventured a bit in the city. We found a Carrefour where I bought speculoos and
smurfs. We also found that they had Reeses! So that was pretty cool to find but
we didn’t buy any. It was weird though because they came in a 3 pack. In the
states they are in 2’s or 4’s but I have never seen them in 3’s.
Then we left there and went to look at the chalets. They had
more of a mix of things for sale but most of them were like food products that
you would cook at your house. So we got some hot wine and then called it good.
This wine was more alcoholy and winey than the other that I had in Marseille. I
didn’t like it as much. But it was okay. Just not as good. Then we called it
quits for lunch and went to the Petit Palais for the next part of our Avignon
Education.
In here there was a lot more art. We looked at a couple
different pieces but most of it was all very similar to me. It was really
pretty but I can only look at art for so long until I am like okay great lets
go. We looked at a couple different images of Mary holding Christ and then
compared them. There was one that I liked a lot and then a picture of Saint
Catherine holding a giant sword. Go girl power! It was pretty cool. We looked
at the art for quite a while and because there was no glass over the paintings
there was a person in each room that would tell us to back up if we went within
two feet of any work. So that was a bit annoying. They should just get glass to
cover each one… A lot cheaper than paying all these people to sit around in
each room.
But whatever! One we were done there, we went to the bridge.
There are a lot of supposed facts about the bridge that are all false. Some
people think that the bridge has never been completed to reach the other side.
This is wrong. The King of France (before France was completely united as the
country it is now) once wanted to cross the bridge. But he was denied by the
Comte de Provence so he said fine I will just destroy it. So then they rebuilt
it again. And then the exact same thing happened like 50 years later. So then
they just never rebuilt it again. But now there are plenty of other bridges to
it just stays half done on principal because the French Government when it was
led by a King once the regions were united was still mad about it so there has
since then never been any government money sent to fix it, and now it is a big
tourist attraction with the legends that it has never been finished. There is
also the rumor that because the river is too deep or too strong that it is
impossible to finish it. But that is wrong too because it has been finished.
More recently in the 1850’s a song came out called Sur le Pont d’Avignon.
In the song it goes (translated:
On the bridge of Avignon
We all dance there, we all dance there
On the bridge of Avignon
We all dance there in a ring
We all dance there, we all dance there
On the bridge of Avignon
We all dance there in a ring
So naturally when you get on the bridge you have to DANCE!
So we went to the end and took pictures (changing the song to jump instead of
dance. ;-) Then on our way back Sally and I danced the whole way looking like
crazies. It was really fun. Then we realized that we were the last ones on the
bridge so we ran to catch up with the group. They were just in the gift shop
though so it was all good! I bought some post cards which all had the bridge on
them and then we were off! We got back on the bus and the other class was
already on it! So probably they all saw Sally and I dance on the bridge. But
who cares we had fun! The bus left and then had to loop around because we
forgot two people. Oops! Then we rode the bus back to Aix. There was a stupid
movie playing but it was more like SNL but not funny and just stupid and from
the 80’s. They were playing it really loud so Sally and I went to iPods after
texting Cassandra to facebook everyone that we would be home in time and that
we would meet at the Rotonde.
When we got back to Aix, Sally went back home to change her
shoes and the rest of us waited at the Cezanne statue. I called Cassandra who
was not at the Rotonde like planned and pretty soon she showed up. I called
Sally to see if LaSia was there and was joining us. We got Sara contacted and
she met up with us and then pretty soon Sally came with LaSia. No sign of Jonny
so hopefully he hadn’t wanted to come. :-/ But we headed out with about 10
minutes to show time. By the time we got as close as we would to the Theater
building for the show they started a countdown at 5 minutes. I said I am so
counting down in French from ten. And eventually when I did other people did too
so that was really cool!
It was kind of like a firework show with some weird other
things to be honest. There were some guys in light suits that walked around
sometimes and sometimes held fireworks. At one point on of them had firework
wings which I thought was really cool. They also used fire canons which made
smoke circle and then they would light the fireworks to go through the smoke
circles. That was probably one of my favorite parts. I love fireworks though.
Every time I watch fireworks I get sentimental and think of the last time I saw
fireworks (Disneyland) and then think of how much my life has change since
then. This time it wasn’t so long ago but my life has definitely changed a lot!One of my friends posted a video on my faebook. But I dont have a way to put it here so I will see if she can email it to me and I can put it up later.
After the fireworks we left and went to find some food. We
decided to eat from the Christmas stalls even though there were a bazillion
people out. I got a tete au choco which translates as a chocolate head. It was
a marshmallow on a waffle cracker wafer cookie covered in chocolate. It was
pretty good! But not worth it to be honest. I also got a pomme d’amour which is
an apple of love with is a candied apple. I had never had one and with the name
pomme d’amour I had to get one. I think it is called that because of Snow
White. The apple that she has is originally green and then she candies it and
it becomes red. I think it is the same and when I asked Madame she said it was
the same thing and that is why they call them that. I felt really smart for
once. I thought it tasted pretty good once I was able to get into it! It wasn’t
as good as the chocolate covered one that I had in Munich though.
After that there was a funny thing that happened with some
Churros. We were standing and talking in the group and then Gina offered me
some Churro and I figured it was a bite so when she held it out to me I opened
my mouth and bit it. I didn’t know she was giving me the whole stick and it
broke from my mouth and the rest started to fall and literally everyone in the
group but me tried to catch it in a matter of like two seconds. Someone did
which was good but I was like what just happened. It was a really funny moment
for the group and looking at this maybe it was a “you had to be there moment”
but it was really funny. It was like “we MUST save the Churro!!!”
After that we walked down and looked at all the chalets.
There was some cool stuff there but nothing too terrible interesting. There
were some awesome looking candles that I am now thinking about. They were
really pretty but I don’t know what they smelled like. And the problem with
pretty candles is that you have to burn them and then it isn’t as pretty
anymore…. But once we got to the end we decided we should eat some real food.
So then we went and walked until we found a bar and someone thought they would
have food. (I did not) but I had to pee so I went and used the bathroom. When I
came back and we realized they didn’t have food we decided to leave but I felt
super weird about having used the bathroom and not bought something so I bought
a shot which tasted like pineapple and not too bad with alcohol. Patrick bought
one too and then Cassandra and after that we left.
We went farther down the street and found a restaurant where
the waitress was very nice. We all ordered and I had just a side salad and tea.
I was not hungry but after all the sweets I wanted something light and more on
the healthy side of things. It was a perfect dinner. The conversation was fun
and Gina did a tarot reading for everyone. Mine she pulled the marriage and
widow card. What. But that doesn’t actually mean either of those two things.
But she told me it was that I used to be really lonely and then I wanted to
change that and now I am a lot more open to other people and making friends. I
said okay cool. I don’t personally know how much stock I put into stuff like
tarot cards but it was interesting to hear her take. When she ordered she asked
for a salad with beaucoup beaucoup de salad dressing which was really funny
because it was like that is not the word for that! But the waitress knew and
she just laughed with us. It was all in good fun. The whole dinner was really
fun and very relaxed. We debated on going to a movie after words because LaSia
had wanted to earlier but ultimately decided to skip it and go home because we
were all exhausted by that time.
I walked home with Sara because we live in the same
direction. Oh! I forgot. So while we were at the Christmas stalls earlier in
the day I was attemptedly pick pocketed. We were standing and I was holding
things in my hands and then all of the sudden I felt someone’s hand in my
pocket and by the time I turned around there was no one. The others had seen
the guy and said that he had been suspiciously eying us. I told them I think he
tried to pick pocket me. We were all a little shocked but I had been smart
enough to keep everything in my purse under my coat. So I can see why I was the
target because you couldn’t see that I had a purse so presumably there would be
stuff in my pockets. It was a little strange but I didn’t really think too much
into it. It was like I knew something bad would happen so I had been careful
all day and because there were so many people around I was being more careful
as it is easier for stuff like that to happen when there are a ton of people
around and especially when you aren’t paying attention like I wasn’t. But too
bad for him that I am too smart! :-)
After that when I got home I talked to Madame a bit about
the fireworks and such. She had watched them from outside on the balcony with
Paul because he didn’t want to go out. I told her about my coat and attempted
pickpocket and she was proud of me for being really smart and not having
anything in my pockets. She is always warning me to be careful so I think she
was a bit proud of me. :-) It was cool. She also cleaned up my room a bit when
she changed my sheets which I felt a bit bad about because I should have
cleaned it better but I was in a hurry to leave this morning. But I thanked her
for it and she seemed happy. Then we watched a bit of a show called Le Zap
which is like funny clips or cute clips of animals and stuff like that. It is a
good show but we both got exhausted and decided to go to sleep knowing that tomorrow
would be cookie trying-to-make day!