Final Days

The last days are approaching, and there is so much to do. However, I still find time to go on long strolls through the valley. For many weeks I keep coming across a trailer, and horse stables, and I stopped and stared at it for a few moments, so I would remember it as it is, and then I captured a photograph of my surroundings. The sun was setting, and it made the lighting hit the ground perfectly in every spot.  The way that the trees sway back and forth is also something I enjoy; the soft wind pushing through the leaves, some stay in tact, while others fall gracefully to the ground. I stood on the side of the road taking in the past 7 weeks of my life, and reflecting on it, and then I decided to walk back slowly, photographing the light.

Always,

     Ariele

Wandering through Lacoste at dusk

The other day I went on a long walk through the vineyards, and as I was walking, I noticed all the leaves were turning color, and it was officially autumn. The beautiful reds, ochre colors, oranges, and light browns were jaw dropping. Every time I would walk on a steep hill, I could overlook the vast patchworks of crops, and homes in the middle of the valley. I kept walking, enjoying the silence that surrounded me, inhaling the fresh air with every breath, thinking about the few days I had left to take these long walks, and not have a care in the world. I walked until my toes got too cold, because I wore flip-flops, thinking I would only be gone for a few minutes or so, but a few minutes turned into 30 minutes, and then that 30 minutes, turned into over an hour. Every time I would start to head back to the campus, I would noticed something, and stop and stare. I am going to miss these long walks, with endless roads.

Prancing Through Paris

Well wandering around Paris, I stopped in many different places, one of them being an artist's home, where he had hundreds and hundreds of paintings, and in different rooms of this 5 story home, were other artists. It was like walking into a home that lives, breathed, and slept only art. One of my favorite people in the house was Frances. He took my camera and kept taking photos of things, and he was full of energy and just so lively to be around. I bought 3 pieces of his work on a 4x6 piece of paper, and he personalized and doodled on the back of each one I bought. I walked around the streets browsing my surroundings, taking advantage of the beautiful lighting that the day had to offer. I managed to take a two decent photos for my photo assignment for my personal project, but I wish I had gotten more, but the lighting was not right for the photos I needed to shoot for most of the time I spent in Paris.

I also found a new love for people walking with umbrellas, the way people open them, and the umbrella turns inside out because of the wind. The colors, and styles of umbrellas also caught my eye.

So I took a photo of a couple who was walking at "Le Lourve," on a rainy day, walking side by side. 

Paris

I am finally back from Paris, and completely exhausted. I did so much in so few days, and I wish I would have had much more time, because there was so much more I wanted to do. I hopped on a train from Avignon to Paris, which took about 2 and a half hours, plus the one hour bus ride from Lacoste to Avignon. When I arrived in Paris I took a taxi to the home latin hotel,where I would be spending 5 days at. The first day I arrived in Paris, I went to see Jim Morrison's grave, as well as many other important artists. I walked around some more, and stopped at a Batissere to grab a quick snack, and looked around vintage shops. and went out and experienced the night life of Paris. I went to museums, and Fiac, which was amazing, and I spent so much time there, taking in all of my surroundings, in awe of how many art pieces where in one area. I went to the Lourve, and naturally saw the Mona Lisa, and I went to see the Arch of Triumph, and at night I saw the Eiffel Tower, with the amazing light show, with music too. I did not get to go up to the top of the tower, but I will save that for the next time I'm in Paris. I went to an amazing restaurant and had the best food I have ever had in my life, and I went dancing at the best place ever, with a wonderful atmosphere. I got to meet a famous photographer who was inspiring, and full of so much life, and many stories that I loved. The sculptures and statues in Paris where so different from what I have seen to. Cymbals in a pond, and people can throw rocks at, to make music, and the history of Vouge magazine covers along side a walk way, and even a momument brought over from Egypt, that has the other pair of it still in Egypt. The houses were all beautiful, the layout of Paris as well. The shopping was amazing too, I saw favorite stores of mine, and made a few purchases I was very proud of. I had a wonderful experience visiting Paris, and I can't wait to share them with my friends and family.

Always,

  Ariele

Oppede

Today I woke up early to prepare for my short trip to Oppede, and found myself with no hot water this morning to shower off. It was very chilly this morning, and I had left all of my jackets and sweatshirts in Chicago, so I through on a turtleneck, warm socks, leggings, warm boots, a scarf, and last but not least my warm mittens. I grabbed a quick bite to eat this morning, and then went to the vans to leave to head to Opedde. about 20 minutes of driving, we arrived, and hiked up the the top of the hill, where the anciet ruins were. It was interesting passing my the ruins, and seeing holes in the walls, which were made for shooting arrows at enemies. After hiking up the hill, and then back down, my class stopped at the new town's cafe, and bakery. We had a lot of time to kill, so we stopped by another Abbaye, and walked around for a bit of time, and finally headed back to Lacoste. 

Always,

    Ariele

Monastery

Today, I went to a Monastery, to see one of the Abbeys, and before I could go inside the main one, there was a detour through of course, the gift shop. I bought some dried lavender for a project, and a few bars of lavender scented soap for my friend, and I walked up the stairs to see the main part of the Abbey, but it was closed. I walked around to the back of the Abbey, and noticed beautiful flowers growing alongside the walls. I continued walking along the dirt and stone path, down through the woods, and I noticed this cool tree, where the trunk was equally split in the middle, which made it the perfect place to take a photograph; right inside the heart of the tree.

I wish I could have seen all of the lavender fields in bloom, but lavendar season is in the Summer, and it was getting very windy and chilly at this time of the month. I am looking forward to Arles on Thursday!

Always,

   Ariele

Nimes & Pont Du Guard

Today was a pretty eventful day, not only because I found this amazing trench coat at one of the shops at Nime, but because I found a killer pair of boots too.

I walked around Nime for a few hours, observing the lifestyle there, compared to Chicago, and even Lacoste. I liked Nimes much better than Aix-en-Provence, because the town gave off a friendly and soothing vibe.

When I first arrived at Nimes,  I walked around the arena, which bull fights take place in. After a good half hour of walking around the arena, practically hopping from one step to the other, I decided to walk around town, which is how I found my amazing purchases.

I also went to Pont Du Guard today, and decided to take a risk or two, and go into the Gard river with my clothes on; the water was cool, but after a few minutes I got used to it, and started to splash around and just have fun. I walked to the top of the Roman aqueduct, and looked at the amazing view, and hoping at the same time I would be dry soon, so I wouldn't be sitting in wet clothes for the two hour bus ride. I thought Pont Du Guard was an amazing and beautiful place to visit, and was pretty refreshing too!

Always,

    Ariele

Grape Flavored.

Today I took a long walk on a dirt path, and I couldn't help but notice the vineyards, mainly because they seem to be everywhere. I stopped and looked at how ripe the grapes were, and I was in awe of the rows and rows of grape vines that I kept walking past. I walked a bit more, and saw the prettiest flowers, and I wanted to photograph them. Sometimes, I just like to wander off for a few hours and see where I wind up, and hopefully, I will be able to find my way back. (Because if I can't, that could be a bit of a problem).

Always,

Ariele

Canoe Trip

Canoeing was by far one of the best experiences I had while in France. I was a bit flustered at first because it was mandatory to wear closed toed shoes if we wanted to participate, and even though my shoes got wet and smelly, it was totally worth it. 

I was in the back of the canoe, so I basically had control over steering. The first few moments were a bit scary because our guide spoke French, and how am I exactly supposed to know what he is saying, and have him guide me, when I know zero French. It was a bit of a language barrier.

 While canoeing with Jillian and Rachel, we got stuck on rocks for a few moments, the water was shallow, so Jillian got out of the canoe and pushed us back out to the river. After that, it was pretty much smooth sailing for the rest of the time.

During a group pit-stop, we all got out of our canoes and played on rocks, and some people went in and swam in the cold river. After 20 minutes or so, we hopped back in our canoes, and paddled along. The view was wonderful, and the experience was something that I will remember. Although it was not the hardest canoe trip, it was still one that I deeply enjoyed, and I got to experience it with my friends. Now the only thing I want to do is the ropes course I saw on the way back to Lacoste.

Always,

    Ariele 

Week Three

Time is going by faster then I expected it would. I have been keeping busy by working on my personal photo assignment for my human altered landscape photography class. Waking up early is a bit of a hassle sometimes, but I know that if I do it, then I will get the lighting that I need, as well as want.

Well working on my project, I have been inspired these past few weeks by Peter Lik, an Australian photographer who captures the natural elements of the earth, and creates images that have intense color palettes.

I have much more work to do before I am done with my personal assignment for class, and many sunrises to keep me busy. 

Paris is so close, only 16 more days!

Always,
        Ariele

In Vaucluse, France- Ochre "playground"

Yesterday I went to the Ochre quarries, and it was amazing! Hiking around the quarries was a bit of a challenge because I was holding my camera gear, and the quarries were not as sturdy in some places as it was in others. I found foot holes in the quarries to make my climb less challenging, but when in the center, surrounding the dozens of different quarries, I felt infinite. The view was an experience in itself. Overlooking Vaucluse, and hearing a rooster crow at the morning Sun, made the 6:30 AM wake up feel worth it. The orange, red, and yellow hues were vibrant, and these colors became a playground for exploring. The early bird really does get the worm.


I found this information from a website:
"until the mid-1900’s, ochre was mined in an
ochre quarry, to produce materials for
painting, cosmetics and even some food
products (the rind on cheeses from Holland!).
Today, throughout the Luberon, dazzling
colors can be seen in the quarries, lit up by the
sun. Great for exploring on foot or on
horseback. The last remaining ochre
processing factory is located in Apt, on the
banks of the Calavon river. Here, you can see
the production technique in three steps. The
ochre mined in the quarries is washed to
separate out the sand. Then it settles in big
basins, where it forms a thick layer of paste
which is cut into bricks and dried in the wind
and sun. These bricks are then crushed and
fired. The firing is what gives the tint and the
shade. A good ochre processor can obtain 17
different shades from the 6 basic pigments:
Sienna, yellow ochre and Umbria, each of
which exists in a dark and light version."
http://www.odyssei.com/travel-tips/20542.html

Always,
      Ariele

Project Plaster

Today I went back to Masion Basse, to continue photographing the interior of the home. The construction crew is quickly demolishing different sections of the home, so I have to make sure I document and photograph what I can, as well as what I want to, because the next day a part of the home can be gone.

Although shooting walls for 3 hours at a time can be a bit boring, it teaches me the importance of
lighting, having patience, and the process of documentation.

A few interesting things in the interior of the home is how since people did not have pens and paper to draw with, the children would draw on the walls, and in one room, there was an engraving of a house with smoke coming out of the chimeny,  and hills in the background.

The home is covered in spider webs, dust, and floor boards that are breaking and stairwells that are collapsing, Masion Basse makes walking on ice look easy. I think that Masion Basse is one place I would never go play hide and seek in at dark. Take my word for it

Aix-En-Provence

A one hour bus ride later, and I was in Aix. It looked like a town I had seen once before, but I cannot place my finger on which one exactly. I went to Paul Cezanne's home, and went to Musee Granet, where I viewed works of Pablo Picasso, and of course Paul Cezanne. I walked around with Jill, and I learned that finding a restroom to use in France is much more difficult than in America.  It is impolite to ask to use a restroom, unless you are buying something from that shop or eating at a resturant. Also, I learned that only in America are things super speedy, and that in France, people take their time, and linger and talk over a cup of coffee, and just relax, which is much different from what I am used to. I went into shops, and browsed around, and noticed how different the shop layouts were from the shops back in America. Small boutiques and lovely little cafes filled the streets of Aix, well the bright sun gave warmth to the town for an enjoyable trip.

Here is an image on the way to Aix from the bus.

Always,
    Ariele