This phrase seems to slip from our lips "tous les temps" when we amble down the narrow streets of Aix en Provence. While that exlamatory statement does make us sound painfully American, it is probably the best and simplest definition of Aix en Provence.
Aix's narrow streets are flooded with ou
tdoor cafés, fountains, and shops that are a tad too appealing to the eye. If I let my feet carry me into one of these shops I will end up spending all the money I have; " Ah! Quelle jolie chausseurs!" defini
tly ranks number two in the "most said phrases while in Aix en Provence".
While the city of Aix is not afraid to flaunt its classic french style, there are also a few subleties which I picked up from our "exploration des étroites rues d'Aix en Provence" (exploration of the narrow streets of Aix) on the first day.
I think it's too funny that the trucks and busses here are mercedes :)
First off, crossing the street in europe is a completley different business than in the States. There are crosswalks on the major streets, however, on the little alleyways that make up about 80% of the city, crosswalks are nowhere to be found. Donc (therefore), if there is a petit French car speeding down la rue (the street), every time, the driver finds a way to skid to a stop at the last second, and he/she will impateintly beckon us "slow Americans" to cross the street.
I have also noticed that a majority of french stores don't have normal doors that open and close. They are completely open to the street, like an open garage door. I personally love how stores don't have formal doors. They are completley open to the public. Now, I may be overthinking this, but I believe that this is rather symbolic of an element of the French culture. A store doesn't have doors; it is open to whoever wants to come in, and whatever happens will happen - "c'est la vie". The french seem to have this wonderful calm, fun, and romantic attitude that I envy! If a situation doesn't go according to plan, it's not the worst thing in the world! Instead, they will embrace whatever comes at them as a new situation, time is only a number. This attitude is quite different from that which I grew up with living in New York. If something doesn't go according to plan, we will try our hardest to push this irregularity into our detailed plan. Because we ( or just I) try so hard to make everything work out exactly how we want it, we may completley miss a wonderful oppurtunity.
I think that being in Aix, I am starting to conform to the "french way" of "expecting the unexpected" and I am so happy. I hope that this wonderful attitude will stay with me when I drag myself back home to New York.
A bientot!
