I’ll Be Back

My family took me to Marseilles yesterday. What a gorgeous city. My cousins don’t like Marseilles much because it is just a “big, dirty city.” But I found it enchanting. It is a historic city of huge Roman influence and is right against the Mediterranean, which gives it a very romantic feel. My view was from the Basilica Notre-Dame de la Garde. I don’t think I would ever tire of the surrounding landscape. Here it is:

The Basilica is situated high above the city and is a combination of Romanesque and neo-Byzantine architecture. Every year, many Catholics make a pilgrimage to this site on Assumption Day.

Today was very laid back. One of my cousins took me to the Montpellier beach where we walked in the warm sand and kicked a soccer ball around with his friends. It was probably the most beautiful beach I have ever been to. The water was such a deep blue and the sand was golden in the sunlight. I think I have fallen in love with the Mediterranean…

Tomorrow morning I will catch my first flight in route to Sea-Tac, making tonight my last night. I have had so much fun here and the wonders have not ceased to deliver. The great food, warm people, gorgeous weather, and antiquated backdrops have made this one of my top favorites of all the places I have been so far. Not to mention being with my family here has been a blast. The hilarious language faux pas, the early morning dance clubs, and trying my hand at driving in a very different traffic-culture has definitely added to my treasure trove of travel memories. I can’t wait to come back.

Some more photos from Marseilles
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At the beach in Montpellier
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Busy-ness! And More Über Cool Old Stuff

Yesterday I went to my cousin’s English class as a “surprise guest.” His teacher (who is from Portland, OR!) was thrilled to have a young American come and give the students an idea of the culture. I stood at the front of the classroom and the students began pummeling me with questions. Most of which were related to American pop culture and sports. And of course they wanted to know if I had ever met President Obama. A few of the students were a little shy, so the teacher allowed me to ask them some questions as well. I asked about high school in France and what they planned to do after graduation. One student asked me if I had to pay to go to university. I told him yes, and explained to him how many tens of thousands of dollars I owe for my four-year education. They were shocked. And rightly so, since in France higher education is free for citizens.
After the class, the teacher and I spoke together for a few moments and I asked her about how she came into her position at the school. I guess France has a similar government program going on as in Spain, where English-speaking teaching assistants are being hired by the thousands for placements in elementary and secondary schools all over the country. It was through this route that she got her foot in the door as a permanent English teacher in France.

The day before, my uncle took me on a tour of the oldest parts of Montpellier. I had no idea of this before, but not only does this city have a giant stretch of ancient Roman aqueducts, it is also home to THE oldest medical university in the world, which dates back to the 12th century AND is still functioning as a university and museum. I told my family that I would become a doctor JUST to study there. Because it is so gorgeous! And I mean, it would be so cool to say you got your M.D. at the most antiquated university for medicine in the world!

The aqueducts, which cut right through a bustling area of the city center:

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The oldest university of medicine in the world, the University of Montpellier:
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After this jog around Montpellier my uncle took me to a city named Millau to see France’s infamous viaduct. The viaduct is a huge, modern, beautiful bridge that was finished in 2004. It looms over the quaint, old city of Millau which is nestled in a pretty little valley. This bridge broke several records upon its construction and is a source of serious pride for the French. There is a visitors center where you can buy viaduct souvenirs and watch a video in almost any language that explains very succinctly the process of its creation. And, yes, I watched it. It was actually really interesting!

The viaduct in the distance:
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And up close:
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I guess at night the entire bridge lights up, and is quite a sight.
Here are a couple random photos of sea food, which is something the southern French are VERY good at:
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And Thomas, I found the recruitment office where you can sign up for the French Foreign Legion, haha.

It Was Only a Matter of Time

I apologize for the delayed posts, but it seems that I have picked up a nasty bug from one of my cousins who was just getting over a cold upon my arrival. I guess I should just start expecting to get sick while traveling, apparently it is something I can always count on. So this post will unfortunately be very short so that I can try to keep resting as much as possible today. Despite the developing sickness, though, my family kept me very busy over the past few days, so I will catch you all up on the events as soon as I am up to it.