It’s been just over 100 days since I arrived in Aix, and what an experience it has been. Realizing that this adventure is coming to an end is weird. I’ve begun packing, which has been surprisingly easier than expected, and throwing out endless class notes that I no longer need. I’m definitely ready for the school aspect to be done, but I am getting sentimental about the little aspects that make Aix, Aix.

Things I’m going to miss about Aix:

-Brioche from La Fournée de Joseph nearly every morning

-Hearing French being spoken on the streets

-Being able to walk anywhere, anytime

-Listening to the accordion player on the Cours Mirabeau

-Looking out my window to see Mount St. Victoire

-Coming home to chat with my roommates

-The burger pizza at Pizza Lumberjack with my friends at 1 am

-Weaving through bar street

-Listening to music at least 5 years old at IPN

-Following up IPN with more food at “The Steak Frites Place”

-Finding new nooks of Aix

-Cathedral Bells

-The ability to get bread whenever you want

-The relaxed lifestyle and outdoor cafés

-My new friends I’ve made that will soon live too far away

And while I’m going to miss all of those so much, I’ve also found there are some things I’m not going to miss at all:

-Dodging dog poop like a pro

-Getting told to quiet down in public if you speak above a whisper

-Not understanding the French when they speak too fast

-Having to shush everyone in my apartment after 10 pm (French laws don’t allow for excessive noise after this time)

-Overthinking eye contact and smiles (The French simply don’t do that)

-Accidentally inhaling clouds of cigarette smoke

-Running out of hot water within five minutes of taking a shower

The good of course outweighs the bad, but I am getting excited to return to the States after these 4 months. Chicago is the best place to be in the summer, and there are quite a few things I’m looking forward to:

-Being back with the family & my dog

-Portillos!!

-Outdoor Concerts

-English speaking people

-My own bathroom

-Rooftop patio nights with mom

-Deep dish pizza

-Lollapalooza

-Reuniting with the best of friends

It’s going to be an incredible summer, and I’m thinking about all of the fun activities coming up to prevent getting too sad. Adding in a couple finals doesn’t help too much though. For now, I have three full days to explore and enjoy Aix en Provence! See you soon America 🙂