SGI European Centre

From the map, we can see that Trets, where the SGI European Centre located, is not very far away from Aix-en-Provence. Although we did not have the exact address of the centre, we decided to drive to Trets and try our luck, as it is such a rare opportunity for us to be in South of France.

When we arrived in Trets, the town was so quiet, and even the Tourist Office was closed for lunch hour. Fortunately, with my limited French, we manage to get helps from a lady who gave us the direction to the centre. Eventually we found our way and arrived at this very big SGI European Centre.

This is the main building of the centre. In front, there is a foutain in the shape of the lotus flower petals.

At the back of the main building, there is big field where you can have a magnificent view of the mountain. Yes, that is Mt Saint Victoire.

On this day, there was a training course for 150 Italian members from Bologna.

Maison de l'Europe (House of Europe), this is where the canteen and the accommodation located.

寻找薰衣草

提到普鲁旺斯，就让人想起薰衣草。可惜五月不是薰衣草的花期，普鲁旺斯的朋友说六月底七月再来吧。但我还是不死心，看不到盛开的薰衣草，但总还可以看一看它生长的样子吧。于是我们根据旅游局提供的资料，买了一张当地的地图，开车到约80公里外的Luberon山区寻找薰衣草。

根据地图我们先抵达这个叫Lourmarin的小镇。

我们在开车往Saignon途中找到的薰衣草！虽然无法看到一大片盛开紫色的薰衣草，但我还是很兴奋！后来抵达Saignon，看到这个建筑在山崖上美丽的小镇，真是不虚此行。

你是否可以想象薰衣草盛开的季节时满园紫色的美景？

这就是Saignon。我的几个来自普鲁旺斯的朋友都没听说过这个小镇，我们却能自己依照地图开车来到这里，你说我们是不是几厉害一下，哈哈!

普鲁旺斯是著名的旅游胜地，但她一点都不商业化。我发现除了明信片，这里没有专门制作来让游客掏腰包的纪念品，例如印上普鲁旺斯地名或图片的衣服、钥匙圈、笔或相框之类有用没用的东西（其实在许多地方，这些纪念品大多数是中国制造的）。甚至连薰衣草的香包，我还是后来在马赛机场才买到的呢。

虞美人

这些酷似罂粟的花叫做虞美人（Poppy），别名赛牡丹、小种罂粟花。虞美人和罂粟同属一科，是比利时的国花。

这次到普鲁旺斯（Provence）刚好是虞美人的花期，所以到处都可以看到虞美人，在草地上、马路边、房子周围、斜坡上、乡间野外、都少不了它的踪影。尤其是在空旷的野地，一大片的虞美人毫无忌惮地生长，煞是好看。

比利时的佛兰德斯是世界第一次战时最残酷血腥的战场之一，虞美人是少数能在战场上满是炮灰的地上生长的花朵。在花开期间，鲜红似血的虞美人成群结队地怒放，将原本已是血流成河的战场再染上一片鲜红，也为战后一片荒芜的废墟带来生命。因此虞美人花被用来悼念在一战时战亡的士兵们。在许多英联邦国家和美国，在纪念大战结束时，人们常会佩戴用纸或塑料制成的虞美人以悼念在战争中牺牲的战士。

Grands Marché in Aix

The Aix en Provence markets animate the town with colours and noises. In the shadows of big umbrellas the market gardeners display their fruits and vegetables. It is also the place where people from Aix meet and talk. The "big" markets of Aix take place three times a week (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays) in the city center squares. All year round, a charming market with greengrocers who attract not only the housekeepers and the restaurants' chefs, but also the tourists who can find typical pictures to take. (Source from Aix-en-Provence tourism office)

看了让人垂涎欲滴的水果。　

有人在假装选菜。

好大的法国面包！

在这里发现法国人原来也吃咸鱼。

这些腊肠看起来跟家里的很像，可是经过这个摊位时，一股异味扑鼻而来.....

看到这个，我好想吃新加坡的咖哩卜。 这里可以买到各种各样的香料。 法国人也用八角做菜。 好大的番茄干 这是放鸡蛋托盘， 多漂亮！真想买一个回去。

“ 妈妈，我想要这个篮子。”

Mount St Victoire

Mount St.Victoire (1,011m) is one of the landmarks of Provence.

'Victoire' in English means victory.

What a nice name, the Mountain of Victory!

Mount St.Victoire has been a source of inspiration for the famous post-impressionist artist Paul Cézanne. In addition, Picasso bought a Château situated at the foot of the mountain, and installed a studio there between 1959 and 1962.

Mont Sainte-Victoire, Paul Cézanne

Aix-en-Provence

Last week, Woon has to attend a conference in Aix-en-Provence, so I tag along.

Aix-en-Provence is a city in southern France, some 30 km north of Marseille. It is located in the Provence region. The population of Aix is approximately 150,00, and nearly 30 percent of residents are students studying there. Its inhabitants are called Aixois. The name Aix comes from the source discovered when the city was founded in 123b.c. by the Romans.

This is la Rotonde, the hub of modern Aix, stands a monumental fountain from 1860 beneath three giant statues representing art, justice and agriculture.

Following are the streets in the old town of Aix. The streets are so narrow, surprisingly, cars are still travelling on these small streets, but only for one way traffic.

There are many restaurants in the small streets.

This restaurant is called "Pourquoi Pas?" which is "Why Not?" in English.

We did not have our lunch at this reastuarant because we were looking for restaurant that serve chicken (because I don't like to eat beef and lamb). Unfortunately, we could not find one and we ended up having lunch in a Vietnamese restaurant, the food there is comme si comme ça (so so only).
I will be writing more on Aix-en-Provence in the next few days.