Toto, I have a feeling we're not in Paris anymore

Well we successfully moved to Aix-en-provence from Paris this week. None of the luggage nightmares arrived (we were moving 5 pieces...one very big: my bike). It was a great move. We chatted with a couple of teens on the TGV from Paris and even helped them with their English homework. On arriving in Aix we were greeted by the owners of our apartment: a wonderful woman and her brother who shepherded us and our luggage from the train station and then showed us around town and entertained us. So nice.

Aix is a bit of a shock. Almost anything would be shocking after Paris. Perhaps another grand city of the world would have been an easier transition than Aix. Aix is very small (140K, 40K of whom are students), very white, and very warm (we had a 70F day yesterday). The beautiful Massif Sainte Victoire (sort of a baby mountain range) is just east of Aix. Hiking is VERY popular here. Almost immediately we regret not having a car. Yes, you can get anywhere in Aix by public transport but we are going to quickly grow out of Aix. I've taken two bike rides to Sainte Victoire and I loved it. I can't wait to bring Jane...but I need a car to get her there.

We've both jumped into the social life here. We are determined to become part of Aix. Jane has joined the local expat group and has been invited to pick olives next week...that's right...pick olives. I have gone nuts on language exchange groups and have met with 2 new people with several more on the agenda this week.   We're looking for a yoga group and hopefully we can get some cooking instruction.  We are REALLY bad french cooks!