Return to Aix [Again]: Shisha

Well officially I’m the only one in my programme to return so many times to France since we’ve left. Once, when I was in Finland [to see Maïté]; another when I was in Netherlands [to pursue Maïté] after my trip to Ireland. And yet another time [this time] in the same semester with Wasiq [to drop off some of my luggage]. Yes, my third return to France!

Well Aix-en-Provence will never change, it remained the same charming little ville that I had left it to be. On this return however Wasiq and I, spent one night only; and spent it well in an amazing Shisha-Tea Bar [Salon de thé oriental] in the centre-ville called Sur la route de Samarkande.

Very oriental, charming, warm, and flavourful place: with teas I would never dream existed [well over 30 flavours in their menu], and the hugest Shisha pipe I’ve ever seen [not that I’ve seen that much in my life].

Of course the Shisha was used to smoke herbal fruits and not cannabis, since we were in France and no longer the “free” Netherlands [not that we smoke cannabis in Netherlands, just that it’s tolerated to do so there]. I can’t remember the name of tea I had, but it was some fusion of flavours that exploded in my mouth. Wasiq had gotten me into the “tea” culture a week before, so this was quite the treat for me.

And of course we were in good company of the girls: Wasiq’s Germany friend Rebecca, and my French friend Emeline [who we crashed by for the night]. Thanks Emmy!

For more pictures, see:

• Return to Aix: Shisha

Passage Agard

A Narrow passage which forms a small shopping mall. On this site a large convent of Carmelite friars was repurchased by Félicien Agard in 1846.

It's really hidden, you wont even think this small dorrway opens up into a secret passageway.

Random Aix

Graffiti in France:

In front my school, IAE University Paul Cezanne, Chemin de la Quille [chemin is a country road], so it's real peaceful, we even have wild berry trees in the front [near this field].









Well there's this famous guy, an artist, called Paul Cezanne, as you may have notice the university is named after him, and he apparently was famous in Aix. I don't see the purpose of idolizing him, but when in rome....










Infront yet another church in Aix:








Frenchies:











Another Sunset in Aix-en-Provence:










I counldn't resist taking this picture:

Les Fontaines d'Aix

Exploring Aix: Ok, so i expected statues, but not millions of fountains, Aix-en-Provence is flooded with fountains [after all i think the name Aix was derived from a word that meant water, or i donno]. "Town of water, town of art...Aix was built and has developed around this dual identity..." Everywhere you turn is a fountain, if you see a fountain and walk 2 minutes, there is another.

La Rotonde:
The Park obliquely opposite the Dorms:
The 4 Dolphines:

Fountain on Cours Mirabeau [there are about 5 on this street]:
Others around the City:

Les Statues d'Aix

One can only expect that France, being the artistic and old country that it is, will have an immense amount of statues, I'm not going to blog about each one individually, I'm just posting the pictures, here are some of the "Statues of Aix":

Around La Rotonde:









Sadistic Statues of old Aix:







Old Statue on an old church:

L'hotel Louisiana et Ma Chambre

I stayed at the Hotel Louisiana for one night but failed to take any pictures due to extreme jet lag, i did how ever had a chance to grab a beer with my newly found friends [Marcos to the left, and Ken to the right].

After which we all journeyed to Aix-en-Provence - the city where we were to live for the next 5 months. We all met the rest of students, then, headed over to our dorms - "Cité des Gazelles" on Avenue Jules Ferry! Now, for 150 euros per month what can you expect, I've been told that rooms are between 300-400 euros in France for the cheapest. What's not in the picture is a small closet and a lavabo [sink].

The good side is i have a great view of the hills of Aix! [picture taken using canon photo stitching - madddd!]

And the sunsets here are great, the weather is nice, mild, warm, not too cold, the wind is cool and the sun is welcoming.