My sixth grade suspicions were indeed correct.  I love France: the culture, the language, the country, the food.  Did I mention the food?

After some seriously delayed buses and 15 hours, I arrived in Aix-en-Provence, a cute little town that is currently where my long time (since age 2!) cohort Lauren is spending her semester.  Due to some lack of communication, I set about the city alone, where I discovered the beautiful Cours Mirabeaux, and took an extended bus tour (getting lost is so helpful sometimes!) into the green hills filled with flowering spring trees.  I did end up reuniting with Lauren though, as well as meeting two fun fun girls at my hostel.  Katie, on the left, is a Canadian soon to be Londoner, who has excellent organic style, and Lacey is an amazing gal from Chicago whose three straight years of travel is enough to inspire anyone to get out and see the world.

Before anything else though, I must profess my love for French food.  It is so good.  Close your eyes and imagine fresh fruit markets on nearly every corner, patisseries selling the flakiest and sweetest bakery temptations, freshly made cheese leering from the corners of shops everywhere, and Provencal wine abounding at a mere 3 Euros for a wonderful bottle that could easily cost 20 USD.  Mmmmmmmmm.

Anyway, after leaving quaint Aix, Katie, Lacey and I hopped a bus to Marseille, where we had even more fun together.  We discovered an amazing hostel in the middle of nowhere, walked to the beach, abused McDonalds bathrooms like the sneaky devils we are, cooked wonderful food, walked all throughout the city, trekked up to the giant church on the hill, and talked all about love and life.  It is so nice to have girlfriends around.  I am really looking forward to that when I get home as well, and today as a matter of fact, as soon as I track down my friend here in Firenze!