Aix-En-Provence, France

Provence was lovely.

I mean, what’s not to love about the South of France?

I was thinking, and I think if I had to be one part of France, it would be the south.

I just belong there, ya dig?

Well, in all honesty I belong in America, but if I had to pick one place to be in in France it would definitely be in the south.

That Mediterranean air just does wonders for the soul.

I actually have another trip planned from May 8^th – May 15^th in Nice, France…and that will be right on the beach, and I’ll be able to let the Mediterranean Sea tickle my toes.

Two other girls and myself took the three-hour train ride down to Provence this past weekend to celebrate Easter, and our long weekend.

We had originally planned on going to Amsterdam this past weekend – we had bus tickets and everything! But unfortunately, a lot of hostels were either 1.) already booked 2.) out of our price range or 3.) weren’t able to check us out on Easter Monday.

So sadly we had to cancel that trip and plan something else.

I am really bummed that I wasn’t able to make it there. I mean, France is cool and all, but it’s not only really nice, but really important to take advantage of going to visit other countries that are in close proximity.

Alas, I’ll just have to make it back there another time.

And maybe when the U.S. economy is better too…

Any minute now! Aaaaanny minute…

(Jokes, people, these are jokes…)

In any case, Provence was very lovely and I’m very glad that I was able to get there.

There aren’t many huge tourist attractions “that you MUST see” while in Provence, like many other tourist cities, and most of the fun is just walking around and looking at all the beautiful buildings.

And eating food of course.

And maybe a little shopping…

The first day we arrived the weather was truly miserable. But we checked into our apartment at our hotel, and had to stock up on groceries for that night and the weekend so we trekked out into the rain to find a grocery store.

Luckily for us we were centrally located, and that walk wasn’t a far one. So we grabbed a few groceries and headed back to our place to make dinner.

And honestly, that night we just laid low at our place and had a really relaxing night watching movies on the couch and drinking wine. Which we all realized was the first time we were able to do that since we got here.

I love a good couch and flat screen TV, don’t you?

(Spoken like a true American...)

Finally the rain let up, and it turned into a really beautiful night. So Samantha, one of the girls, and I decided that we should go out on the hunt for some chocolate before all the stores closed.

It was around 8:45pm so we were cutting it close…but we both enjoy a good walk after dinner anyway, so even if we came back empty-handed it would have been OK.

Well luckily for us we stumbled across a little grocery store and bought the necessary amount of chocolate.

That reminds me...I should probably run out and grab some tonight, as I'm out...

That's what's funny about my time here. My diet has changed so much from what I'm used to eating.

Like, don't get me wrong I love chocolate, but I can't remember (at home, of course) the last time I actively went out and bought chocolate. I never do! I really only eat it if it's, ya know, just there.

But here, my God...I actually NEED it to get through my days.

That and I almost always need a pastry in my system every 48 hours.

But even though my diet has changed my lifestyle has changed too. I walk SO much. I prefer it actually. And I eat less too, because since I'm consuming such rich things, I can only handle eating so much of them at one time.

So it actually all kind of evens itself out.

Sorry...Nutrition Major tangent there...

Back to the South of France!

So that night after we explored the darling streets lit up at night and went back to the apartment with our chocolate goodies in hand we all caught up on some serious shut-eye that we were in need of.

The next two days, Friday and Saturday, we spent moseying around the city and eating food and stopping to see sights.

 The view from our apartment!

The view from our apartment continued...

  The view from our apartment continued...

So the three of us did a little research and found this AMAZING market in the city center on Saturday morning. It was incredible!!!

They had just about everything you could ever need, from groceries...

 To soaps...

 To cute little wicker baskets...

And to cheese. Oh cheese, you are my ambrosia. How will I ever depart from you in May?

This particular cheese is one of my all time favorites. Tomme du Jura, is it's name, and playing with my heartstrings is it's game.

It's pure bliss, eating this stuff.

If you want to make me a happy girl, just give me a hunk of this yummy goodness and I'll love you forever.

What I love about the South of France is all the colors everywhere. It's such a breath of fresh air from all the Medieval architecture and black clothing everyone wears more north.

Oh ya, the 70 degree weather at the end of March ain't half bad either!

My friend Samantha lounging in the sun. It was so beautiful out, that's all we wanted to do!

And here is the Easter brunch we made!

Not bad for a hotel room with a tiny kitchen!

We had french toast, poached eggs, strawberries, cheese, bacon, and boiled potatoes/homefries with onions.

And let me tell you, it totally hit the spot.

Although I have to say, I couldn't help but think of my family eating Easter lunch that day! I had to block it out of my thoughts a couple times because it was making me really homesick!

I tried to FaceTime with my mom a couple times that day, and looking back on it I'm glad it didn't work out because I think I would have burst into tears seeing her, my family, and all their voices.

This Easter was definitely one for the memory bank. And a little teaser for what's to come during my trip in May!