The Beautiful Aix

Okay, so I had a pretty crappy first and second day in Aix, according to the standards that I had set but today is a new day and it is wonderful. I woke up and caught the bus into town. I found my way to the daily market (which is the one that I caught yesterday). It was early though so there were a lot more things to see and enjoy. I decided that I would get my breakfast here and enjoy it in the park that I was determined to find today.

I found a cheese vendor, who also sold ham and bread. I watched as the man in front of me showed the woman with his hands, how much of the bread he wanted. When it was my turn, I did the same with the cheese. I got cheese that looked like Swiss and some Camot (I think that is right). The second cheese I first tried with Christian and Fanny and enjoyed greatly. It is a mild cheese that reminds me of something that I am used to, but cannot put my finger on.

I then found a man selling the melons that I also enjoyed at Christian and Fanny’s. I picked one out and paid the man. I stood for a minute and then asked him to cut it, it was the most vibrant shade of orange that I have seen in a melon. He was pleased to show it to me and I was pleased I no longer had to crack it on a rock to open it (okay maybe not a good idea with a melon but I had no other ideas).

I found my way to the streets that I was looking for and kept an eye open for a bakery. I passed a few but none that sold salads or items to go, so I did not think that I could get plastic ware, so I kept going. I made my way to the college and found the American center…I am an American, what have they got for me? I kept walking and saw that there was a park attached to the center and decided that is where I shall enjoy my breakfast.

I backtracked a bit to get the bakery and ordered some bread. Then I asked for plastic utensils (which puzzled her as all I got was bread) and voila, I was ready for breakfast. I found a shady bench and laid everything out (picture to be uploaded in the future). It may not have been a feast, but it was a feat for me and my feast. I wound up starting my breakfast at 10 and finishing at 11, which was perfect for me. I wrapped up the leftover melon, cheese and bread and found a partially shaded partially sunny spot to lay my towel down.

Every time that I come across a park and sit for a while, I really do just fall in love with life and nature. I have been able to visit many parks during this trip and each time I have thought to myself “what a most perfect day”. The number of times that I have said this on my trip is more than I think I have said my entire life combined. The perfect temperature, sunny spots, warm breeze, it is unmatchable. I told my friend that I was going to the park today and they said “and then what?” It made me smile because that was it.

I am so glad that I was able to take this trip in August and enjoy the weather and nature around me. It was brought to my attention that WWOOFing in the winter, although possible, might not be that great (staying with the same people 24-7 and it being too cold to see or do anything else). I thought about my original plan of WWOOFing the whole time or maybe in the summer/spring and leaving winter to wander; if this had happened none of my wonderful days in the park would have been possible. Someone mentioned that the best time to go to the beach (in this area) is September, I may have to check that out again in the future…