During the final day of orientation, we spent about 3 hours on "comment vivre," which included the acquisition of many important French-life skills such as what sort of gifts to bring to a party, when to wipe your mouth during a meal, how many bisous (greeting kisses) to give, and most importantly, how to properly identify and cut cheese. But beyond the surface details, I'm truly learning a lot about what the French value and hold dear, and therefore, why they interact and live the way they do. At the same time, it's also challenging me to analyze my "American" values, which, though they often act forcefully, remain invisible. More to come on all of this.
Once our minds were sufficiently flooded with French table manners and our cheeks numb from practicing so many bises, we ventured out en ville for (yet another) tour- this time in the footsteps of Paul Cezanne, led by a professor of the university. Thanks to my French Civilisation course last semester, I was already equipped with a sturdy background in French history, which allowed me to revel in the architectural lessons:
Les rues
Outside the Opera House
Taking a peak at the outdoor opera house
La belle Cath
édrale: Saint Sauveur, complete with two different types of architecture: to the left (out of the frame) the romane style, and later, as you can see here, a gothic element.
The dome above the corridor of paintings
Painting of the Resurrection scene
Les jardins meditatifs
Un tabac named after the first residents of France, les Gaulois!
The wall that separates two sections of the city (built at a time when the archbishop and the regional officials were dueling)
Cobbled! Don't wear heels!
The regional almond dessert: les calissons!
Everywhere you look there's something new to marvel at- no wonder the painters (Cezanne included) were so inspired!
L'Hotel de Ville
A special peek at la Palais de Justice: here is a statue of Comte Mirabeau (for whom Cours Mirabeau, one of the central roads of Aix, is named.)
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