Au sud de France (Part I)

Here I am.
Yes, unfortunately for you, alive & well. Where have I been for the past week? Traversing the boulevards, mountains, and lives of people in the beautifully sunny south of France. 3 transportation disasters, 8 mosquito bites, 4 wonderful meals, 6 morning cups of coffee, 15 hours by train, 330 photos, and 5 French hellos & goodbyes later, I'm back in Paris. Up until last week, Paris was France. But now I see that within France, there are countless other cultures that I had never seen or bothered discovering. Within a span of merely seven days I have managed to feel utter elation and unspeakable sadness. En fait, c'est ma vie :)

My p'tit tour of southern France went through 3 cities: Bordeaux, Aix-en-Provence, and Nice. I've decided it would be best if I updated city by city to help you stomach it all. Now, on y va.


Bordeaux, France
24 octobre - 27 octobre

In the southwestern sphere of France, the capital of the Aquitaine region, lies Bordeaux. The second wealthiest city in France, world renowned for its unmatched wine production, and protected by UNESCO for its architectural heritage, I quickly fell as much in love with this city as I did with Paris. Of the innumerable traits to adore about Bordeaux, my favorite was without a doubt, the beautiful street alleys. Each seemed to tell a different story. A story of ancient proportions, or of fearful encounters, or clandestine kisses. Our couchsurfing hosts during our stay were Maxime & Paul. These two strangers quickly became good friends with whom I soon found myself laughing with and sharing beautiful moments with. They welcomed us into their home with open arms, without a shred of hesitation, and I left a little bit sad, a little bit happy, but most of all, so grateful.

Max & the girls upon arriving.

We stumbled upon a carnival the first day, and of course, feasted on the goodies.

Did I mention that they had nutella filled churros? Yeah. Yeah, they did.

A bridge that was made entirely of wood & looked like an Noah's ark. I didn't catch a name, but I'm sure it has one.

Bordeaux is also famous for these delicious little cakes called canelés;
they have a very distinct bundt-cakey texture, but less cakey and more spongey, with a yummy caramelized coating. Mmmm...

Our sleeping conditions ;)

steps of St. André Cathedral

Flying buttresses

Rue St. Catherine. Longest shopping strip in Europe!!! (We walked it about 5 times)

CHEEEESSSEEEEEEE!

Meat stand @ the Marché des Capucines

Marine, Maxime's girlfriend & her niece, Enea, the most adorable 2 year old on the planet.

After a morning of shopping at the marché, we ate oysters (huitres) with white wine for lunch with Maxime, Marine, and Enea. I died of happiness.

A plate of 6 fresh oysters, bread & butter, and white wine for 6 Euro? It doesn't get any better than that.

Pont St. Pierre

Right before an afternoon nap by the riverbank.

Morning at the café

Winery in Blaye

Vineyard in Blaye

We booked a last minute Bordeaux wine tour (in French, heh.) of the Blaye & Bourg appellations. It was so amazing!

Red wine, red wine, red wine. :)

I bought a red wine from Chateau Rousseau, which I'm planning on aging for a good 5 - 10 years. It will taste marvelous.

On our last night, we cooked dinner for the boys. Their request was "American food," so we made Chipotle-inspired vegetarian burritos. It was actually really yummy comfort food & they didn't complain. Those are Paul's elbows to the left & his friend Clement's on the right.

Good food, good conversation, good company.
(Best of all, I actually got to practice my French with the locals)

As Max said to me before we "la bis"-ed goodbye, it's not an "adieu," it's an "au revoir."
I hope so :)