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

Blue shutters, and blue doors.

I have never seen these many blue doors and shutters all in one place in my life. When I go to a town, I can't help but take a second glance at the massive varities of doors. There are light blue doors, dark blue doors, cobalt blue doors, powder blue doors, cornflower blue doors, sky blue doors, and any other shade of blue you can think of. The shutters are just like the doors too, always an aged wood, with a blue that welcomes you in. I love walking for miles and miles and seeing a river of blue doors pass me where I go, I have tried to find the significance of what a blue door means, but I have yet to find the meaning. Today I will do laundry to make sure I have some clean clothes for the class trip to Aix on Friday morning.

Always,
Ariele

Week One

I have been in Lacoste now for almost a week. Over the course of this one week period, I have been to several new places, which include Pont Julien, Apt, bonnieux, and Caseneuve. In Pont Julien I got to explore below the bridge that was the main trade road linking Italy to Spain, through the South of Gaul. Pont Julien was built upon the river Calavon, which if usually very dry throughout the year, but when it rains, the river can almost touch the top of the bridge.
I learned about the history and the importance of Pont Julien well in the process of climbing from rock to rock, and avoiding the water below me, since the previous day it not only rained, but hailed.

From the overwhelming market place in APT, which had many wonderful things to buy, to the small and quaint town of Bonnieux, which was full of antique stores, and hand crafted art work, as well as the many places to dine over coffee and chat, to the miniscule town of Caseneuve, which is where we met with Jean Pierre, who is not only the vice mayor, but a famous mosaic artist too. Jean Pierre has created mosaic pieces for many well known individuals, such as Russell Crowe, and a member of U2.

Over the past few days I have been adapting to life in France, and trying to learn some of the language, which at times makes it hard to communicate with the locals, but I'm managing, thank goodness I have an English/French dictionary on it's way from Chicago. I have been getting back in the old routine of going to class, and doing my homework again, while at the same time exploring France, and taking in the many treasures of Provence.


Always,
Ariele