The Wonders of Provence

Calanques by La Madrague

Even though I don't have a designated room in Aix-en-Provence, and have virtually no belongings here - they're all stacked away in a lovely storage in North London - I still relish every moment spent at home in Provence.


Perhaps it's precisely because I've never lived in Aix that I appreciate holidays here so much. I love the fact that the house feels so far from everything but is still so close to everything that matters... a 3-hour train ride from Paris, an hour flight from London, 2 hours to the slopes of the Southern Alps, 40 mins to the coast, 30 mins to Marseille...


And then there's the food: the vegetable patch in the garden, the excessive use of olive oil, meals under the shade of the plane tree on the terrace, the home-made ice cream, the rosé wine, the hustle and bustle of the farmer's market. The list is endless but I'll cut it short because I realise I'm starting to sound like I work at the Aix Tourist Board (if all else fails post-MBA, perhaps something worth considering?!).


You'll have to forgive this little self-indulgence but it's been a while since I've had so much time off, and I can't remember the last time I spent more than a week at home. So the past month has been absolute luxury: I trust you'll agree that the 30C+ weather over the past few weeks fully warranted a semi-apathetic state where 'activity' involved casual paddles in the pool and gentle sways in the hammock, with the incessant sound of cigales often inducing unplanned siestas. Thankfully I've managed to squeeze in a few more active endeavours either spurned on by my (ultra) active mother or the arrival of friends like Cha-Cha and Lori.


Highlights of the past few weeks?

- A coastal walk in the Calanques between La Ciotat and Bandol with dark blue sky, the smell of fresh pine trees, a clear sea (and only the sight of a few jellyfish ruining the party)

Chateau de Carcassonne

- Attending an outdoor piano performance at the annual Festival de la Roque d'Antheron: well worth a detour if you're a fan of classical music


- The discovery of the lovely medieval town of Carcassonnne during the MEB reunion as well as a canyoning outing (a fantastic sport which involves walking, abseiling, jumping or sliding down gorges)


- A guided tour of the works of Belgian artist Pierre Alechinsky at the Musee Granet in Aix-en-Provence: see some of his works on the link below

http://www.google.co.uk/images?um=1&hl=en&biw=1280&bih=707&tbs=isch:1&sa=1&q=alechinsky+paintings&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=


- A visit of the Chateau de Vauvenargues which Picasso acquired in 1958, with its stunning views of the Montagne Sainte Victoire

Picasso's Chateau de Vauvenargues

Such discoveries may help explain why I always come back home feeling that there's nowhere else I would rather be! But a few days before I fly off to Singapore I know that what I'll miss most won't be the sunshine or nice food (there's plenty of that awaiting me anyway!) but rather my friends and my pequena familia: from my ebullient mother and calm father (living testimony of the saying that opposites attract) to my charming bro and cheeky sis, it's always fantastic sharing quality family time at home! So keep in touch peeps and keep your eyes peeled for insight about what it's like being an MBA student in Singapore!