Marseille
After over a year of preparation and planning, I have finally arrived in Marseille!

My first weekend was full! We started out by celebrating Canada Day, complete with a BBQ, cake and a table hockey tournament. Then a morning spent at the beach. (Growing up on the land-locked Prairies, I think I could learn to be a beach person!) Church was on Sunday, followed by a picnic in one of the city parks and a drive out of town to see the nearby lavender fields. Lavender is one of the main crops in this area of France. It’s used in perfumes, soaps, etc. (See photo)

My first week in Marseille has been filled with changes, adjustment, meeting new co-workers and neighbours, and exploring. I’ve been studying maps, bus routes, and guidebooks—a change from studying French grammar and conjugation books!

Work has begun at the office, and I’ve already got a few projects under way. It feels good to be in “work mode” again. The office is quiet now, as most people are away on summer break.
I’m trying to be brave and use my French more. The office uses both French and English so whenever possible, I’ll use French. And of course, day-to-day stuff like buying groceries and going to church forces me to speak French. : )

Some of my first impressions of Marseille:
It’s a big city, with lots of small twisty roads. And right now, LOTS of construction as they are building new metro lines, etc.
It’s a city with a lot of history. Phoenicians first landed here in the 5 century BC.
It’s a diverse city. There are many cultures, languages, and nations represented here.
It has beautiful scenery from the Mediterranean Sea, the Old Port, the city parks, and the Calanques (large mountains that surround the city).

Favourite...
Sight: the bright blue sky turning to orange and pink as the sun sets
Sound: the cicadas (insect) the hotter it gets, the more they chirp (see photo top right) http://www2.arnes.si/~ljprirodm3/tibialb.au for a sample of what they sound like.
Smell: jasmine flowers (see photo left)
Touch: the feel of the Mistral wind, which can last for up to 5 days and gust up to 93mph or 150 km/hr.
Taste: lavender ice-cream, a flowery sweet taste