Marseille, Baby! - Day 1

The second city i visited in my Europe trip was Marseille. It is the second biggest city in France after Paris. Marseille is in the south of France, an old port city which is more relaxing than Paris.

Marseille from the aeroplane.

After spending time in Paris, i was not sure of going to Marseille because the hosts i contacted didn't reply my emails. I was confused because i don't know where to go. Also, I enjoyed Paris so much, but it would be a waste since i have booked the flight. So, i decided to go, no matter what happen and if no host, then i had to book a hostel. I just decided to go and happy that i chose to because Marseille is beautiful.

I went to the airport from Antoine's flat by the metro and bus to Paris Beavuis airport. I booked Ryan Air for about 45 euros including the 15 kg baggage. Ryan Air has it's own airport (like Airasia), and the location is not easily reached. I had to take a bus that takes only to the Paris Beauvis airport and back. I usually got lost, but the route Thierry and Antoine gave me is very clear, so even a dumb girl like me arrived safe and sound at the bus stop. I had to pay around 15 euros for the 45 mins bus ride. While checking up in the counter, i had to wrap my baggage with plastic bag from them. I had difficulty carrying my bag, moreover to lift it up and put it in a bag. But luckily there was a guy who helped me, a fellow handsome and kind traveller ;-).

Arrived at MP2, I had to take another bus to the main station in Marseille called "SAINT-CHARLES GARE". So, i bought return bus ticket to go to the city and back to the airport because it's cheaper. I couldn't find the bus stop at first, then i asked a group of young people where to find it. Tips, do not be afraid asking and try to look for people who seem to be able to speak English. Well, easier if you can speak the language though.

My phone was still not working, i was desperate how to contact my host. Then i saw this guy who was helping in Paris to put my baggage in plastic bag. And i saw that he travel alone. So, i planned to sit next to him, just hoping that the seat next to him is empty. And Voila!!! no one sat there next to him, so i asked nicely,
"Excuse me, may i sit here?"
And he said, "Yes, of course."
So, i started to chat with him. He is nice and helpful. His name is Luis from Sao Paulo, Brazil. Wow.. i was reading John Grisham's novel and remember the name of that city came up in the novel. Luis was studying in Paris and before coming back to Brazil he travelled. I told him that i stay with a host from Couchsurfing but he has not contacted me yet. I asked if i could use his phone to send SMS to Jeremie (my host). And he said "Yes, of course". Lovely!

We parted after arrived at the gare, and try to stay in contact to meet up in Marseille. (We didn't meet at all, but still in contact until now.)

I checked my email and i got two replies from my candidate hosts. I was confused which should i say yes to, feeling reluctant to say no to the other because i was the one who asked. Then i decided to stay with the single one, my first choice. Feeling so dumb and apologetic to the other host who had said yes to me, i took metro to the metro station i would meet Jeremie.

I was too early, so i waited outside the station with no phone to contact Jeremie. i looked so lost, people were looking at me, at a glance or stare longer. I never have people look or stare at me in Indonesia, new experience there :-). Finally at about 18.00 which didn't look like 18:00 in Indonesia at all because the sun was still shinning so strongly, i met Jeremie. He's tall and so quite. He walked fast that most of the time i walked behind him or ran to catch him up.

He lives in a neighborhood called "La Panier", is the historic heart of Marseille, the site where the Greeks founded the city.  The meaning of La Panier is "basket", from the sign of the inn called "Le Logis du panier" in the 17th century.

La Panier neighbourhood.

That's another reason i chose to stay with him because of the location is in the center of touristic place. His apartment is in the 5th floor, which the 6th in Indonesia. With no lift, i walked upstairs carrying 13 kg and 5 kg bags front and back. Huh, i can do this!

The climbing was worth it because Jeremie's apartment has a very beautiful view, the Old port and a century-old church. NICE! After putting the bags and had necessary cleaning up time, Jeremie took me around La Panier and the old port. Oooh.. oooh... it's so pretty. Then we sat in a plaza and drank some beer, Marseille speciality, which shamely, i forget the name :-(.

The Plaza in the middle of La Panier.

Another view to the Old Port.

One of the views from Jeremie's apartment. I saw a big cruise ship was at the port.

The port with many yachts, sailing ships and the chatedral on top of the hill.

After some more chatting, we went back and Jeremie cooked me pasta for dinner, and we ate in the balcony with the nice breeze and stunning view. Aaaahh..... life! By the time the sun set, it was 10 pm, and we decided to call it a day.

Anything tastes as a five-star meal with this kind of view.