Sunsets and confusion

So this is the beautiful, sunset view from my window.  I had a very leisurely day in Aix.  We finally have beautiful, typical southern weather.  I spent most of the day figuring out where to find a small English bookshop in the downtown area of Aix.  It was a lovely store and has one of the first coffee shops I have seen in France (besides the Starbucks in Paris, but those don't really count).  I was able to sit with a cafe creme and a magazine for a few hours in one of the corners of the shop.  It could become my new favorite place because it is within walking distance (in good weather) of my dorm, and the proprietors, although English, speak in French to the patrons which means they can guess what I'm trying to say when I mess up in French, which happens all too often.

Right now I'm trying to fill my days with wandering the city before classes get going.  I have an oral exam tomorrow that will tell me my level of French from which I will be able to register for classes.  I am getting antsy to begin because it is difficult to meet people outside of class, and I'm getting to the point where entertaining myself day in and day out is losing its appeal.  

I did have quite the experience today when I received an email from Amira, the person in charge of international students here in Aix, that stated that I would be moving out of my room today.  I received it at 3:30, and not only was it the first I had heard about moving rooms, it wasn't even sent to me directly.  It was first sent to Whitworth and then to me which added to the confusion.  So right now I am trying to figure out whether or not I am moving.  This experience is furthering my belief that not only do you have to drag information out of the French, but they may be trying to purposely keep it from you.  I think its probably a game they learn in elementary school just like hop-scotch, although this is called "How to keep them guessing".

I also found out that the picture I had previously posted, the one of the street lined with trees and what looks like a giant bush, has more to it than I first realized.  The "bush" is actually a very, very old fountain that spews hot water from the warm spring that lies under the city.  It is covered in moss all year round and is always pouring out hot water.  For centuries it was the only source of naturally warm water for the city.  I had taken this picture because I love the area surrounding it, but now it has even more meaning given the history behind the bush.  Only in France can you take a random picture and then find out that its not random at all but instead has centuries of history behind it.  

Until next time and perhaps from a different room,

Elise