Au Revoir

24 Posts later, and I'm back in The United States of America.

It's been 1 month and 5 days since I left Aix, and my life has become way too normal. Nannying 9-5 and then waitressing at nights and on weekends, it's sometimes hard to remember that I spent 5 months of my life living in the South of France.

Life in America pretty much smacked me in the face. I landed at 8:30 pm on the 4th and started nannying at 8 am on the 5th. I was spun around so quickly that I didn't have time to reflect on my life back in France or process the change. I became so busy with work and with putting my life back together in the States that there were times I almost forgot that I had spent 5 amazing months galavanting around Europe. It wasn't until I couldn't find words when somebody asked me how my experience was or until I noticed how many Blonds there are up here in the Midwest that I realized France had truly affected me.

It also isn't until I look at photos from my trip or try to paint a picture of what it's like walking down the cobblestone streets that I'm brought back to the market and to the park and to the cafés. It isn't until I forget the English word for something and can only think of the French word that I miss the language. And as pessimistic as it sounds to say that I don't miss France until I'm reminded of it, the point is that I miss it. And when I do, it's more than just a fond memory. It's a gut-wrenching longing.

I miss the musty smell of my 17th century apartment.
I miss the fountain, the tree, and the grass-spotted cobblestones in my courtyard.
I miss the way people dress.
I miss the aisle in the grocery store dedicated to cheese.
I miss the line out the door of the Boulangerie every day at noon.
I miss the 4 flights of stairs I had to climb to get to my friend's apartment.
I miss the stupid tour groups and how I felt like a local because they drove me so crazy.
I miss walking into a store and - without missing a beat - saying "Bonjour" or "Bonsoir" to the owner.
I miss the way that by the end of the trip, if something didn't happen the way it was planned, I would roll my eyes and say "France..."
I miss the little old ladies and their dogs.
I miss the man at the market who sold me my broccoli and told me I was his favorite customer.
I miss the way that the smell of Herbs de Provence would fill my apartment every time I cooked with them.
I miss the colorful doors.
I miss the fountains.
I miss hating the cobblestones.
I miss sitting outside at a coffee shop, sipping on a Café au Lait and feeling the warm sun on my face.
I miss being able to take the bus to the beach.
I miss how proud I felt when a French man believed me when I told him I was French.

But most of all, I miss how whenever I was away on a trip, I couldn't wait to get back to Aix.

Although there are several things that I missed while I was in Europe (efficiency, having a car, deodorant, filter coffee, produce that lasts for more than 4 days, etc.), and although I'm very happy to have them back in my life, there will always be a special place in my heart for Rue Sallier, for Cours Mirabeau, for Jacob's Patisserie, for Le Marché à Place des Prêcheurs, for Le Scat, for Parc Jourdin, for Monoprix, for Papilles, and DEFINITELY for Crêpes-a-Go-Go :)

Overall, I'm very glad to be back in my homeland, but it will never be "too soon" for me to return to Aix-en-Provence.


Au Revoir!