A sunny day in Aix-en-Provence

Hello Everyone,

It’s Sunday and I’ve spent since Friday getting to know my city in France, the one that I can call home, Aix-en-Provence, where I lived for 8 months between November 1999 and July 2000.

It is so special to have a place in France that feels like home, where I know the best boulangerie, the open markets with the freshest fruits, vegetables, etc. The streets here of the ‘centre ville’ or old town, where I lived and where I am again, wind around like a snail, all cobblestoned, and end up at the Mairie, or Mayor’s office. That’s where I was on Friday night with all the people from Maison de la France or the French Government Tourist Offices from all over the world.

That place or square is where I had a photo with my article in More magazine in 2001, and I always stop and take a moment there, it is such a beautiful square with its 13th century clock tower that tools the hours. I took a photo this morning that I will send along.
Saturday was a perfect day here in the south, in Provence–sunny, bright blue sky, warm. After the coffee with the group of English/Americans where I met a lot of new people, I took the bus to the village of Equilles. I met up with my friend Solange and her friend Elizabeth, and we drove to Ventabran, another village, for a ‘Vide Grenier’ or ‘Attic cleaning’ literally, where people had set up booths to sell their junk.

Some of the vendors were ‘les professionales’ as my friend Solange said, and we avoided those. I spent a total of 12 euros, but got some treasures. An antique dress with handmade lace that could fit Ellie or Ava for dress up, for three euros, a beautiful old soup bowl with tiny roses, Limoges, for one euro, an antique piece of linen, for one euro and then some lovely Provencal napkins for one euro each that would sell in a shop for five-eight euros each.

We wandered around for hours, looking at everything. The village itself was very ‘charmant’, and we walked the steps down and then up to see it. After a light dinner at Solange’s, we headed back to Aix to see a movie–American dubbed in French. We had spent the day ‘en francais’ so I had a lot of practice, but in the movie, they talk so fast that a lot of it went over my head. My head is clearing, though, as I get more used to the time, so it gets easier and easier.

I understand again how the French can eat what they eat and get away with it. Since I landed in Aix without a car, I have averaged about three hours a day of walking. That burns up a lot of ‘pain au chocolat’ (which I had for breakfast today). I went to mass in the Cathedral and the huge pipe organ sounded so beautiful in the soaring space. I am a ‘French Catholic’ and only go to mass here, where the French reminds me of my childhood when it was all in Latin, and they use Frankensence incense and sing the loveliest songs.

My apartment is comfortable and there’s a hotel next door where, thanks to the card of introduction from the Office de Tourisme here, I can use the email. Cool.

My brand new camera, which I bought for this trip, is mysteriously ‘en panne’ or not working, so I’m using my little Nikon as a back up, so will send photos soon.

I am so happy and grateful for each moment here. I got some news that a friend in Nevada City, younger than me, died. Life is so precious. I wake up each morning with a prayer that I may know what it is that I am to do that matters, with this precious day.

In love and gratitude from here,

Diane or ‘DEE-Ann’ as they say here…