Student Bloggers

Here at Arcadia in Rome, students travel at a moment’s notice. So far, Arcadia students have made weekend trips to Germany, Sicily, Venice, and even to Austria! In truth, it sounds a lot more impressive than it really is—technically, to travel around Europe is sort of like a Texan visiting the midwest! The main difference is that when you travel around Europe, you have to leave some room in your suitcase for pretension and self importance. (Oh, don’t mind me, I was just drinking wine with Johhny Depp and Brangelina on the French riviera—no biggie.) Still, at least half the fun of studying abroad in Europe is city hopping, which is why I ended up in the French port town of Marseille this past weekend! 

For a trip that was planned in the eleventh hour, it was incredibly relaxing and enjoyable! The Old Harbor was gorgeous, the churches magnificent, and the people incredibly friendly. (Rest assured I was just as shocked by that last bit as you are! French people? Friendly? To Americans? I promise I’m telling the truth!) And don’t even get me started on French food! For a full two hours, I was just walking around with a baguette in each hand, munching away like a five year old with a churro in the Magic Kingdom. On a park bench overlooking the harbor, I had my first beignet (and my second), as well as my first macaroon! I could write a book on just how much I loved the food, but to save time and to avoid making myself hungry, I’ll say only this: if there’s one thing the French have gotten absolutely right, it's their food.

During our time in Marseille, we explored the historic Old Port, which had much less pirate-y merchandise than I was expecting. I could have done with a few more eyepatches and detachable peg legs! I bought some famous scented soaps from small vendors along the harbor (one guy was selling them off the side of his boat while wearing a beret—now that’s dedication). Later, we hiked up the mountain to the Abbey of St Victor, which had a crypt in the base of the church dating back to the fifth century. Even if the tombs hadn’t been marked, I still would have known that place was old just by the smell. Note to self: do not get buried near the ocean! There’s a reason Glade doesn’t make a plugin called “muggy salt air and human remains”.

After nearly losing my sense of smell, I forced my traveling companion with a sprained ankle to accompany me up the mountain trail to the highest point in Marseille, the Basilica Notre-Dame de la Garde. There, at the highest point in the city on the windiest day of the month, I paid dearly for complaining about the lack of air flow in the fifth century hermit cave of dead monks. To be fair, I had asked for some fresh air, but I didn’t quite expect to be nearly blown off of the mountain! In spite of the wind taking its revenge on me, the Basilica alone was worth every penny I spent coming to Marseille. Not only was the view spectacular—we’re talking “Best Thing I’ve Done in Europe So Far”—but I also finally got to experience what it’s like to be trapped in a wind tunnel!