Ed's mom, Ronnie, left us on Saturday morning. That was sad, because we enjoyed our time together a lot. (We know she loved it too!).
But on to the subject of this blog entry . . . the municipal pool. Because there is a great municipal swimming pool in the middle of town that's way better than any private pool (think big pool, high dive, snack bar, showers, changing rooms and grassy spot to lay your towel). The problem was that we couldn't seem to figure out when it would open for the summer (it seems to vary from year to year and it's hard to get a straight answer from anyone).
Thankfully, the town magazine came out this week with the pool schedule . . . and Ford and Asha just so happened to be on the cover of the magazine:
The magazine said the pool would open on Saturday, June 9th! Naturally, we were there for opening day, along with a number of Ford's chums:
On Opening Day: Taking a Break with Harry Potter
The "Four Penquins," Ford, Nicholas, Janis and Killian
The Four Penquins Prepare to Take the Plunge Again
Go!
Ford Levitates High Above Board
More Ford Tricks
The Boys Watch Ed Do a Quadruple Gainer Off the High Dive (with Reverse Sow-Cow)
Left to Right: Asha, Ford, Nicholas, Janis, Killian
Marseille is the second biggest city in France. It's only about an hour and a half drive from Vaison. We often fly in and out of the airport there. Yet, we had never really explored Marseille.
For better or worse, that had to change. Our friends, Yann and Helene, live in Marseille and grew up near there. They offered to take us on a guided tour! So, on Sunday, that's where we went.
Here is Ed's review:
"Proof that not all parts of France are charming, this city is at once grimy, gritty, dusty, dirty, smelly and seedy. Not for the faint of heart, travelers to Marseille will note the conspicuous absence of grand boulevards, parks, fountains, statues, public works of art, and trees. While lovers of urban beauty may wish to skip Marseille altogether, "gastros" should visit the awesome Arab market (by far the highlight of the day) which serves the very large north African Muslim population (try the hot chilis!). If you do find yourself in Marseille, take in the impressive views of sea and city from the Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde, on top of a tall hill. Cross it off your list. Move on."
We were glad to have seen Marseille! Here are some photos:
Pretty Woman in Arab Market
Arab Market
Algerian Child Tastes a Hot Chili at the Arab Market
From Left to Right: Ford, Asha, Ed, Ronnie, Helene (one of our tour guides,
who in addition to being a native is a bio-chemist);
Notre Dame de la Garde in the distance
On Friday night, there was a block party at the end of the cul-de-sac, right outside the gate. It was sponsored by the city. City workers brought some tables and a big block party sign. Many people from the surrounding streets came. Everyone brought chairs and something to eat or drink (think homemade wine). The party started at 7 and didn't break up until 11. Here are some photos:
The mayor even showed up . . . on his bicycle:
So, that was party number 1 of the weekend.
The next day, Saturday, was party number 2: Asha's birthday party with all her school chums. She invited all the girls in her class and two lucky boys. The party began at 11 a.m. and ended at 2:00 p.m. (but coffee with parents at pick up time extended the actual end to 2:45 p.m.).
Activities included: hat wearing, run-around-the-yard, tie-dying pillow cases, eat lunch, pinch-the-girl-next-to-you-and-make-her-cry, semi-organized cheer of some sort, complicated treasure hunt (which they completed in 8 minutes), adult morale meeting, cake and ice-cream, open presents, run-around-the-yard-some-more, water-drinking (it was 85 degrees!), hide-in-Asha's-room, and drink coffee with parents at pick up time. It was fatiguing and fun at the same time . . . you know how these things go.
Here are some photos (and an action-video):
Only the Name and Date Have Been Changed
Part of the Group . . . I Think We Had 10 in All
Hugo, Ford, Kimberly
Seline, Camille #1
Camille #2, Asha
Manon, Nikita
Lola, Mattieu, Julie
Under the Party Table
Parent Coffee at Pick-Up
In this action video, Le General instructs the kids on tie-dying (this was important, as tie-dying is not well-known in France and none of the kids had done it before):
The whole thing was tiring. At the end of the party, all we wanted to do was crawl under a bush and go to sleep!
In Vaison, Tuesday is market day. During the winter it's a small market, but in the spring and summer it gets really big! Ed's mom inspected it at length and pronounced it GREAT!:
Ed and Ronnie and Ford and Ivy took a hike to Crestet . . . the tiny town on the crest of the hill. One of the good things about this hike is that there is a fantastic view at the top and ice cream too if you come during tourist season, which is officially "open" here:
Later, our neighbor brought over a bowl of cherries from her tree:
Here are more pictures from the parade last week (recently discovered on another camera):
