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