Aix-presso (pronounced, espresso – catchy eh?)

Yes, espresso and tea. They are similar to coffee, but not really the same. I have, however, had a cup of each…both times thinking I was ordering coffee. But I don’t want to be an ugly American, so I drank both with a smile. The tea was actually very good! Espresso has a little bit more of a kick than I expected and I was suddenly very thankful for the glass of water the waiter had given me - which I’d not understood the need for until the first sip. Also, at both locations “free wifi” was displayed. So thinking it’d make a good place to upload this post and the one before I sat down and ordered “café.” And both times my computer decided to hate me and wouldn’t connect to the internet. One espresso and one tea later I still have no internet, but I’m determined to get my laptop working. I’m hoping tomorrow when I meet my host mom, Mme. Aubrey, that she’ll have internet.

Yamina, one of the program coordinators, called me at Hotel Paul today and confirmed my pick up time tomorrow. She told me all about Mme. Aubrey and apparently she’s a wonderful, lively lady. She’s around 75 and everyone’s favorite host mom (grandmom?). She’s a great cook, so I hear, and also has a pool. The walk to my art school, The Marchutz School of Art, is just a quick promenade through the park. How cute and European is that?

Today, after spending a little while in the internet café (yet another failed attempt at wifi via laptop, so I used the café’s computer with its European keyboard which was a little easier to use after sleeping 13 hours last night) I meandered through the town and fully appreciated how beautiful it is. The cobblestone streets are completely historical. Also today I walked where Cezanne walked! *GASP!* How cool is that?!?!? CEZANNE! I love him. Then while perusing one of the many squares in the city which are lined with shops (candy stores, boutiques, cafés, wine stores, cheese & meat shops, paper stores – awesome! – , perfumeries, etc.) I stumbled upon the quintessence of Aix in human form. This old man was sitting on a travel case, smoking a giant pipe, and people watching. He was doing all this while sitting behind his tabletop which displayed pieces of art. They were gorgeous - small pen & ink and painted pieces - just beckoning to me to admire them. Then I did it. I bought two small pieces depicting a fountain and a hotel in the historic part of Aix. They’re great! I bought my first pieces of art for this trip !!

In other news, the dogs here are very well behaved. They sit under their owner’s tables quietly and mind their own business. And they’re so cute because most of them are really tiny! Then when they walk they smile at you, I swear the dogs smile. That or I understand the dogs here more than the people because they speak the same non-French language as me. But my lack of fluent French skills didn’t stop two different people from asking me for directions today! I either fit in well enough that they think I’m a native or my persona of well-put-together-well-aquainted-with-the-area-snazily-dressed-woman-of-the-world has convinced at least two people, hurray! I felt the same way I did when I visited UVA in high school with mom and someone asked us where an academic building was. Glorious. Simply glorious.

Four girls from my program came by my room earlier and we’re all going to go out together for dinner. I’m so excited to make new friends and to share this experience with others. I’m keeping myself awake until we leave by writing this, a few postcards, and working on a couple sketches. But once we’re at the café – I’m getting coffee! Well, attempting to get coffee anyways. Maybe I’ll end up with another espresso or tea, but I’m in France, well rested & happy, so it’s all going to be okay.

PS – It was great hearing your voice today Mom! I’ll call you tomorrow from my host home 