Colors of Provence

I got back yesterday from a two-day jaunt to Aix-en-Provence to Cote-Sud Vivre salon which was terrific.

I booked my last-minute accomodation through AIRBnB. Have you tried them? Quite an experience.

They are serious about the Bee in their name. My room, in a beautifully decorated apartment in the historic section (deep, deep..like going through an endless maze to find it in the blistering heat) of Aix - my petite chambre/room was full of BEES! I kid you not. 

And the windows were closed. Why not let the bees find another place to sleep or was I sharing? Did my hostess forget to mention it? During the night a neighbor's cat came in the window for a nap on my bed. Shouldn't I have gotten a discount? I much prefer a chat to bees as a room mate anytime ahem. So BEE it.

The little adventures of traveling. You just never know. It's all part of the fun oui?

What really hit home were the brilliant colors everywhere in Aix.

Naturally I brought my Paris black to wear = All wrong in Provence.

I'll do a post on what YOU should wear dear PBers. When in Rome.

There is a flower market and a vegetable market on Saturday.

Both are an utter delight. Just get out early by 8am before the hoards of tourist groups hit the cobblestones. Maybe like Bayeux it's way better to go during the week? 

So many yummy shops painted in brick red and yellow ochre.

tres charmante oldie-worldie cafes to hang out in.

And endless regional delights as well..endless. Calissons d'Aix is top of the list, made of almond paste and melon-flavored.

My little box says I must eat the contents before 12/5/14. I misread that as 12/6/13. Being semi-dyslexic has it's advantages. I woofed down my delicious quartet of Calissons.

Such beautiful heads of garlic in the marché. none of which I brought home since I still have garlic from the Agricultural Fair in March.

I did buy irresistible sun-dried tomatoes. The seller said to reconstitute in water and then olive oil, but I love the way they look as is. It can get blistering hot in Aix. Bring your parasols PBers unless you like having sunstroke which doesn't agree with all of us.

Here's the instructions my host sent to help find my lodgings in the old town.

How to get from TGV Aix-en-Provence to XXX's Apartment From TGV station:

Catch Navette (shuttle) to Gare Routiere.

Note: The Gare Routiere bus stop is in a new location while the old bus station is being renovated. The navette will drop you at the number 11 stop next to the Hotel d’Police (Police Station). You are now on Avenue de l’Europe but there are no signs.

Walk up the hill, past Rue des Xllumettes and the bus information office on your left. Continue walking past all the bus stops until you get to the round-about at Square El Xadate, then turn left into Avenue des Belges. Again, at the time of writing this, there are no street signposts due to renovation work.

Follow the Avenue des Belges to the large fountain at the large round-about in the Place de Gaulle.

(I loved this next instruction!!)

*You will see a small group of trees on your left and if you wish, you can detour to the Tourist Office in the low building on the plaza behind the trees. (How did I never find the tourist office?)

To continue, cross rue Bonaparte and follow the round-about where you will see the Le Festival Cafe. (Oh sure)

Turn left here at Place Jeanne d’Arc and you will see a small street called Rue Espariate leading into the old city.

Once again there is renovation work and the signs may be hard to find.

If in doubt ask a local shop keeper for directions. (Hahahaha)

Follow Rue Xspariate (the streets are now well signposted) and then turn left into Rue Xedarrides. Follow along and turn left into Rue X Foch and follow to large old arch and clock tower that is attached to the Hotel d’Ville. Continue through the arch into Rue Gaston de Xaporta. Continue along and look for the Xstienne de Saint-Jean Museum on the left and just next to this you will see a small side street called Rue des Xremondis.

Turn left into this street and you will come to Rue de l’XXX, turn right and then immediately on the left you will see a low iron fence with gate. Enter here into the small courtyard and you will see the flat between X and X.

(Some names have been changed to protect the innocent...)

Bonne Chance PBers
Next time I'll try couch surfing.