France: Judith Tafur (The 5 Senses in Aix en Provence)

Every morning at around 7:50am I am awoken by the sound of  bells from the neighborhood church. As I eat dinner they sound again at about 6:50pm. Fortunately, every Sunday I get a slight break since they sound a bit later. Although Christianity may have once been a very important part of French society, in modern day France its predominance has significantly lessened. Nevertheless, cathedrals, churches and basilicas are still an important part of French historical heritage.

Food is a very important part of French culture. One of the things that makes the food here so good is the importance that is given to quality. There is a small fresh local produce market every day of the week and a larger one three days a week. I love going every week and discovering what products are in season. I have also noticed some of the processed products in the supermarkets have a “Nutri-score” which helps consumers quickly evaluate the nutritional value of packaged goods.

In the “centre-ville” of Aix, the historical area, I see windy roads all around me, built long before people made blocked street systems. I see pedestrians walking home, taking their kids for a walk or simply enjoying a stroll. Cars are a rare sight in this area, and are only allowed to circulate if they are delivery vehicles. I see restaurants with primarily outdoor seating and people taking their time to engage in long conversations while enjoying an “aperitif” or a meal.

Finally, what do I feel here at Aix? The most complex sense of all. When I first got here, it was hard to believe that I was going to be living here and not just visiting this place briefly. Since then, through the establishment of routines and gaining my bearings I have begun to feel comfortable here.

 

Hometown: Cali, Columbia

Major: Molecular and Cell Biology; French; Cert in Biocore

Program: Academic Program in Aix-en-Provence