Comme dans un rêve! Like in a dream!
What a beautiful place! We're staying with one of my teammates - and you can see the sea from the balcony! (I'm looking at it now as I write)
We went beach, old port, and to the Calanques as well - WOW! Cliffs and aqua blue (ice cold) water! Of course we went swimming, but it felt like a million little knives stabbing ... refreshing, let's call it ;) The Calanques is very rocky and without too many safety measures, I don't think it would be possible in Canada. Normally, one goes with running shoes... but since I left mine in Paris, I went with sandals. Needless to say it was an "adventure":)
Remarks on culture:
- French people drink a lot of wine and with everything - including pizza!
- Dinner is usually quite late, after 9pm
- Everything is closed on Sundays (with the exception of pastry shops and some small markets)
- All sandwiches are made with baguette --- and they are really good.. but the best thing is fresh, warm baguette right out of the oven... mmmmm
- Fruits are amazing in general, but the best I've eaten so far are raspberries!!!
I also went to the Iles de Frioul - a few islands off the coast of Marseille, only 15 minutes by boat. I felt like I was alone on the islands.. it was quiet.. wind blowing from the Mediterranean... It was amazing to just get away and wander these islands without a map, a structure, a destination... I had a strong reflection then, about the power of spontaneity, of letting go of structure and just being free.. It's in moments like this that we are at our relaxed and most creative. I wonder how we can bring a bit of this feeling into daily life...
It's easier to be less structured and more relationship oriented here in France. The culture is such that people really appreciate their time off: shops close early, not many people work on Sundays, there is more emphasis put on spending time with friends and family, food is important (and wine of course)... It's also more socially acceptable to be late and to take one's time with lunches and meals in general.
It's fascinating to learn about the French mentality and the way that people work, as well as to understand why they do the things they do... I'm keeping an open mind toward everything and being as much like a sponge as I can be :)
What a beautiful place! We're staying with one of my teammates - and you can see the sea from the balcony! (I'm looking at it now as I write)
We went beach, old port, and to the Calanques as well - WOW! Cliffs and aqua blue (ice cold) water! Of course we went swimming, but it felt like a million little knives stabbing ... refreshing, let's call it ;) The Calanques is very rocky and without too many safety measures, I don't think it would be possible in Canada. Normally, one goes with running shoes... but since I left mine in Paris, I went with sandals. Needless to say it was an "adventure":)Remarks on culture:
- French people drink a lot of wine and with everything - including pizza!
- Dinner is usually quite late, after 9pm
- Everything is closed on Sundays (with the exception of pastry shops and some small markets)
- All sandwiches are made with baguette --- and they are really good.. but the best thing is fresh, warm baguette right out of the oven... mmmmm
- Fruits are amazing in general, but the best I've eaten so far are raspberries!!!
I also went to the Iles de Frioul - a few islands off the coast of Marseille, only 15 minutes by boat. I felt like I was alone on the islands.. it was quiet.. wind blowing from the Mediterranean... It was amazing to just get away and wander these islands without a map, a structure, a destination... I had a strong reflection then, about the power of spontaneity, of letting go of structure and just being free.. It's in moments like this that we are at our relaxed and most creative. I wonder how we can bring a bit of this feeling into daily life...It's easier to be less structured and more relationship oriented here in France. The culture is such that people really appreciate their time off: shops close early, not many people work on Sundays, there is more emphasis put on spending time with friends and family, food is important (and wine of course)... It's also more socially acceptable to be late and to take one's time with lunches and meals in general.
It's fascinating to learn about the French mentality and the way that people work, as well as to understand why they do the things they do... I'm keeping an open mind toward everything and being as much like a sponge as I can be :)
Soak it up Cristina! Enjoy your time in Portugal and be sure to post again soon :)
ReplyDelete