25 - 5 DEPARTE MARSIELLES....AIX DE PROVENCE

I enjoyed my last meal at Petite Pernod. Hamburg was great and French Fries with Small Salad. Service excellent.

I need a haircut....something radical like my waiter?

I am packed and will take a taxi the short distance to the bus station...BIG Suitcase...Uphill.  The bus driver told me to put my suitcase in the storage area? Fortunatly another person had a backpack to load and I followed her where she opened the Bus storage and I learned something new.Also...I thought this was handicap until after five rows I realized this bus has seatbelts.
Arriving I helped the lady with the backpack retrieve our baggage and headed to the taxi stand with my address.

  Anxious to see if my new place looks like the photos presented without the "fish eye...all lights on".  The taxi driver said it is a short walk and I have to charge you 8 Euros. Fine. He tried to put the big heavy suitcase in the trunk and fell on the ground while lifting it. The other driver came over and both of us helped him up and I put it in the taxi. Now he knew why I wanted a taxi.  It was a short trip. 

I followed my instructions but the "Key Bx" was empty so I emailed the only contact I had and he said "check in" is at 3. But "I contacted you for 1-2 o'clock and swear you replied that was OK."

    I found a wonderful Morac restaurant and ordered a Chicken/Veggie Tajine. A German single traveler sat next to me and ordered a Vegetarian one. We both ate in silence not knowing what language  or who we were but were smiling after. I remarked Tres Bonne and he replied yes it was. He was traveling Spain and France in a Sprinter Van he outfitted himself.

At 2 pm I got a message that my room was ready so got the key and noticed my bed was a fold out couch like the one I had in Paris, but not made up.  First issue was internet connection.  I got the connection but NOT the internet. Without it, I had to use my AT&T International at $25 a day. I complained and the response was try turning the router off then back on.  I replied I did and no go. The message came back undeliverable. I was talking to a robot. 

Window view was Red Wing Shoes store and upscale Men's clothing store. I rearranged my furniture to make my room as comfortable as possible, had an OK sleep except the street light right outside my window that the non blackout curtains allowed in. I woke at what I thought was daylight...3 am. Read for an hour and back to sleep. 

When I did rewake I went shopping and returned with some yogurt and cereal with coffee to make in the French Press since the Bosch Coffee Maker with 2 capules of coffee has never worked.  After my breakfast I went out for lunch and found a nice place close and had there Saturday Brunch. Very good.   I got a message that the internet provider was working on fixing my problem. 

 I wandered around and found my way to the main plaza where a Market selling used CD's and LP's in addition to Paintings, Silverware, Plates and clothes was going on. Then a found a charming Restaurant serving a delicious  Brunch

Sunday Mass and singing.

        

The only Cook !!!  Limited Menu and top line equipment

 

Don't see that often.

     So far Aix is making me believe the French restaurants are outstanding...like Restaurant Row in Paris. The Restaurants in both cities did tend to have the same items on the menu and not as varied as I hoped.  Beef or Tuna Tarta, Burgers, Sea Bass, Salmon, Lasana, Duck Breast, Boulabaise, Shrimp (in the shell), Mussels, Tajine, Ribeye, Veal, Crepes, etc.  All very good with some better than others...but Variety? The more upscale the restaurant the fancier the presentation and some added ingredients or garnishes that other didn't have but same menu with the same bread rolls or French Bread cut into pieces. Rare to find butter but French Fries..YES.  You will find Chef's creations in very upscale establishments.  Yesterday I ordered Salmon steamed in Paper...it came wrapped in Tin foil and a tad over cooked with Fresh Vegetables and Rice...both COLD not luke warm but right out of the refrigerator on to the place...I suspect the "cook" forgot to microwave them before he put the tin foil wrapped overdone Salmon on the plate.  He was busy and not the Chef...on a Friday Night! I forgot to take a photo and my server returned to heat it but he left the salmon on the plate when he put it in the microwave and now the Salmon was over cooked for sure.  This was a beautiful restaurant called the Giraffe.

 Marsailles was similar but not as good and failed the test. I have learned that my Oaxaca breakfast at 10-11 and dinner at 4-5 routine is NOT an option in France...check the hours that food is served. The terrace could be packed but no one is eating food...just wine, beer and coffee with snacks served only at HHour unless you want pasteries. 

Another day I sat at a full terrace..around 4:30 and asked for a menu and a glass of wine while waiting to take my order. The waiter yelled at me as he was clearing the table next to him...I get everyone at once and will be back to take all the orders when I'm ready.  OK?

 
Roasted Breast of Duck with Mashed Potatoes was worth it.

This morning I ate breakfast at my apartment and spent a lot of time on my computer. Early afternoon I wandered around the beautiful village until around 5pm I passed a terrace with people eating near my place.  I looked at the menu and asked if I could have the Plat du Jour...No we just stopped serving.  This is Monday in perfect English he told me go to Fast Food right down the street. Most restaurants are closed Monday. I did but could not figure out how to run the computer menu in French. I had the same problem at McDonald's in Haarlem.

 I found a Kebab place and pointed to what I wanted To Go..since there was no seating. He gave me a wonderful Kebab sandwich that was nothing like the one I threw out in Marsailles. So all the meals I've had out have been great. I returned to the restaurant where the person sent me to Fast Food and asked if I could sit on the terrace and have a glass a wine and pretend I lived in Aix. I had two and the terrace was packed when I left but no eating or food was served.

This morning I came across Rick Steve's take on Aix which is "right on"...so you can skip it or read it: ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/read/articles/the-magic-of-aix-en-provence.  

    I will relax and lounge around the Cafes and pretend I live here! I hope to be meeting my new friend Diane later today when both of us are free. I walked to the train station and got my ticket for Lyon next week.  On the return I stopped Chocolate Specialty very Fancy shop and bought a bag of Navattes I hope as good as the one I had at the Navatte Bakery in Marsailles.  Then stopped at STARBUCKS to use their Internet and it worked great for editing and transferring the photos from the phone to Google Photos. Until they fix my internet I will be regular there. 

These are the Motorbikes used and parked in Aix!

Thanks STARBUCKS for Internet use...the Cookie 3000 cal.

I hope to get to Paul Cezzane's Studio.   He was born here and lived here all his life. Diane and I met and hit it off. She is far more traveled than I and speaks quite a few more languages fluently. I envy that. We enjoyed our first chat and will meet for lunch tomorrow. I stopped at the Kebob place again. Recognizing me he added more meat on the Kebob and I now have leftovers at home to the next meal.

The next day Diane picked a restaurant and met me there for lunch. It was very nice and we shared a carafe of white wine whiile starting with appetizers. She had a terrine of Crab with a different combination of flavors and I a Creme Brullee with Chorizo! We shared both.

This was followed by the Special of the Day pick of Sea Bass and Vegetables but I thought I took a photo of that and of our after dinner Cafe Extrodinare...with assorted sweets. I could not find those photos on my camera and suspect I did not push the button correctly? We agreed to meet tomorrow for dinner and both went home after our 2 hour lunch! 

Later that evening I went to an unusual Italian Restaurant for Pasta and Chicken. I had to request Parmasan to add some flavor to the rich creamy sauce.  I noticed the Hostess at the front of the restaurant passing out small slices of Pizza to passerbys enticing them into the restaurant. Very smart and it looked good.

Self serve Olive Oil and Vinegar

Pick up your order when your buzzer buzzes 
and your wine just after you pay  for your order.

All menu items are on display for you, then tell cashier.

Hostess was not giving samples when I entered...pizza looked good.

This is where restaurants take their bagged trash on the walk.  4 lids, open and dump it in then make sure it's shut tight. 

My fast food made to order Excellent Turkish Kebob place.

This morning I cooked Ham and Eggs for breakfast and left for Cezzanes Studio but when I got to the tourist office I was told both the studio and his home were closed until June due to renovations.  I took the little train tour around the town but the headphone were not made for hearing aides so just enjoyed the scenery. 

Her Sister

Diane had email earlier and told me she had to postpone our dinner until tomorrow so I got a haircut. The owner spoke english and spent half his life in NYC and New Hampshire. He claimed he cut Trumps hair long ago when he was young and didn't like him then and now hates him. I got bald again and returned home to relax.  

                                         Pay by the Kilo

I emailed Diane to let her know I didn't go to Cezanne's and

she suggested an exhibit at another Art Museum. I went.

The Museum was just starting a movie about Cezzane so I watched a short excellent story of his life in Aix en Provence.

         My new look with Hair and a Baron's Outfit!!

                                 

                    

                               My new look...with Hair

 

Notice my new Haircut...no hair? 

After the Museum I crossed the Rue to the BookBar, then a

Photo Exhibit...and finally stopped in Church to thank the lord I am alive to keep enjoying this wonderful life.

    Later a stopped into a Vietnemese Restaurant close by. It was OK. Spring Rolls looked great but the sauce was not up to par.  I didn't see a lot I recognized except Pho...only beef, so I ordered StirFry with Pork and Vegtables...it to was OK but didn't finish it.  I have great admiration for any small Mom and Pop. He was a cook and his daughter I think helped. I wish them well.

 Today is market day..It's 8 am and I'm off! First the main boulevard where vans were lined up unloading their wares and setting up the tents, then to the food market and next to it the flower market.  After they were all set up, I reversed it and went back while stopping to buy a  Van Gogh painting on cloth that I could pack and hang at home.

I stopped at coffee shop that Diane recommended and had a Nepalese coffee...very bold then flavorful. Just before reaching home I stopped for a Matcha and Matcha cookie at a cute place I admired but closed at 3:30 pm when I went by.  It and the place was great.

Shop and Restaurant owners dispose of their trash in these.

 

New day.  Busy fun day. Another Museum then dinner with Diane.

                          

                                    French Class Room

                                        Exgirlfriend

These Medallions are embedded in the street where Cezzane roamed his home town of Aix

Diane had the Tuna Tartare and I the Veal with Cheese assortment and Port Wine after.

I went out to explore the Iron Man Invasion. 10,000 people came to watch and participate in this big EVENT.  Lunch came first at an Italian Restaurant with Lasanga and salad.

Then I walked around the town and later returned home  to rest before going to the otherside of my neighborhood and discovered a huge open area full of people drinking and eating with restaurants on both side feeding them.

   

                Excellent start for the afternoon

I know you're asking "What do public Condom machines have to do with IRON MAN? Thinking ahead?

              Hanging Plants Upside down from the Ceiling

Beautiful Restaurant called the Giraffe. Ordered the Salmon Wrapped in Paper with Fresh Vegetables and Rice. It came out wrapped in Tin Foil so I removed that and tried it. A bit Dry. The vegetables and rice were COLD. So I complained and the server returned it but instead of heating the cold items the whole plate went in the Microwave and the Salmon was now overcooked. I finished my meal and left.

The next day I wandered until Diane and I met for Lunch at a wonderful Sushi place. Lots of IRON MAN stuff going on and restaurants all full. That evening at 5:30 I left for dinner and decided to return for Duck with Mashed Potatoes...so good. Sat down, got the menu and the waiter came over ...yes Wine and Duck..Oh sorry sure we do not serve dinner until 7 and most of the restaurants do not either but you can have some Cheese, Meats....NO I want a meal thank you. I did find an Italian restaurant that was serving Pasta dishes and instead went for Fast Food and another Kebob.  It was OK but NOT healthy. 

Medical School Graduates Parade with a Band, Singing and Ceremony...not like our Graduations. Very impressive...I have no idea what this person was celebrating but they had fun.

Day before departure, I went to the Race and caught the last Marathon event.  

They also VACUUM THE STREET with one man with a BIG Hose pulling a good size upright CART on Wheels .  All the streets are spotless.

Cheerleader...blows whistle and tells crowd to cheer and wave flags.

                           Camerman on a unicyle!!

        Surprised at the number of Female Competitors

The winner broke through the winner Ribbon and I went to the tourist bureau to back up my photos on their amazing free internet.  After the second Group...started their Marathon and I swore I saw Declan Fox from Phoenix off with the first wave. I thought they were the tail end of the race...but the Pro's were done and it was the start of the thousand secondary runners.  I ran home so I could sign on to the website and get the list of contenders and if it was Declan, get his number and come back to the Official Office at the race and see if I could find out where he was staying but they didn't post that list...only the first runners list.

   I returned to watch them finish and come in to the area where there were doctors, massuses , food and drink and bags all assigned to individual runners for there clothes to go shower and change. Looked for him and emailed him but email came back.  He must have changed it..

   Diane had an allergy attack and said maybe around 5 we could meet for a drink if she was feeling better. 

     I had a salad at the Four Corners Irish Pub where I had my first meal when visiting Aix...and my last. I take the train to Lyon tomorrow for a week of wall murals and dining .  I know I tried to keep this short but these last 8 days have been busy!!