My parents visited me for a long weekend in mid November. We stayed in an adorable apartment in the Mazarin Quarter of Aix-en-Provence. It was lovely reuniting with lengthy showers, unlimited cheese, and their familiar faces and voices. We rented a car and followed my art professor’s recommendations of a day trip to Gordes, Ménerbes, Bonnieux, and Senanque. We ended our day of exploring picturesque towns with a drink in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. We also spent an evening in Cassis, walking along the Mediterranean, eating roasted chestnuts, and looking for souvenirs for my siblings.
While it was so comforting being able to show them my new corner of the world, it was also fairly disorienting. As neither of my parents speak French, I was responsible for conversing with all of the waiters and shop owners and subsequently translating everything to them. It was strange to feel as though, for once, I was taking care of them.
We also had the privilege of spending an evening with my host mom, Françoise. She does not speak English, so they relied on my mediocre translations and their own hand exaggerated gestures. Françoise was eager to show them her pottery, which she works on weekly. She even gave them one of her pieces, a small red apple. Now, it is sitting on the desk in our family room. She served us rosé, tapenade, goat cheese, baguettes, and homemade macarons. She is an angel.
It was bittersweet having them in Aix, because in their presence, I was forced to come to terms with coming home. Looking at their faces across the dinner table, I realized how quickly my chapter in Aix was coming to a close. Soon, I would be back in my house, with Françoise’s pottery, my siblings, and the lackluster tones of the familiar english language. I really didn’t know how to accept that.
Alas, I am home. I am still figuring out how to adjust and relying heavily on my wonderful parents. I wanted to share a few pictures of their trip to France. Here’s to returning soon!
Bisous!
Lucy
xoxo
While it was so comforting being able to show them my new corner of the world, it was also fairly disorienting. As neither of my parents speak French, I was responsible for conversing with all of the waiters and shop owners and subsequently translating everything to them. It was strange to feel as though, for once, I was taking care of them.
We also had the privilege of spending an evening with my host mom, Françoise. She does not speak English, so they relied on my mediocre translations and their own hand exaggerated gestures. Françoise was eager to show them her pottery, which she works on weekly. She even gave them one of her pieces, a small red apple. Now, it is sitting on the desk in our family room. She served us rosé, tapenade, goat cheese, baguettes, and homemade macarons. She is an angel.
It was bittersweet having them in Aix, because in their presence, I was forced to come to terms with coming home. Looking at their faces across the dinner table, I realized how quickly my chapter in Aix was coming to a close. Soon, I would be back in my house, with Françoise’s pottery, my siblings, and the lackluster tones of the familiar english language. I really didn’t know how to accept that.
Alas, I am home. I am still figuring out how to adjust and relying heavily on my wonderful parents. I wanted to share a few pictures of their trip to France. Here’s to returning soon!
Bisous!
Lucy
xoxo