As for Marseille...

It was a complete surprise. It's supposedly the 2nd largest city in France, and although it is not so large as Paris, it is certainly more approachable and less expensive. Marseille rests peacefully on the Mediterranean coast. The heart of the city is centered around the water and the life of the sea.

Anna and I


Moi, Sherin & Anna

I found myself walking along the harbor this morning with my comrades. The boats are bobbing up and down slowly, as the water caresses their sides. The east side of the water houses a fresh fish market. When I say fresh, I mean they haul them off the boats still kicking--throw them into plastic bags with gills gaping for air as they are handed over to their anxious and hungry patrons.



The morning also brought a burst of French culture. Elderly French men and women strolled down the streets beside the harbor, smiling and greeting one another informally with their three kisses on the cheeks. The men stand in their suits and straw hats, congregating together in small groups to share the latest gossip.


The fishermen were shouting back and forth to one another, slapping fish about, cutting them up on large wooden cutting boards--then splashing and spraying everything down with a hose. An especially interesting sight at the fish markets--an OCTOPUS. We happened to be passing by just as a man was pulling an octopus out of a bucket. He slapped him down on the cutting board and made several quick cuts. The bulbous creature was still alive and squirming. The fellow had to rip the creature off the board as it had a attached itself--sucking hard and resisting his undeniable fate. Sadly, I was not quick enough with the camera to capture this capricious moment.


The air smells heavily of the sea.



Marseilles is bathed in the air of the ocean and saturated with its power. The sea feeds the city, washes its sides, sprays its rooftops, carries its passengers safely.