Marseille! Je t’aime!
I arrived yesterday to this historical city. Although I was tired and was the first person in the competition group to arrive, I felt this is the best chance to do the “Ice breaking” with the city. “City ice breaking” happens with me upon two conditions, first, to go and walk alone, and second, act boldly. Needless to say I have tried it several times and it works. I remember Fort Collins, CO and how the people were so friendly that they would guess I am lost and offer to lend me a helpful hand! And also I remember Munister, Germany, and Copenhagen. Anyways, I went out, alone yesterday. I was very hungry and very excited to see the Mediterranean sea from the other shore! Unfortunately, Sunday is a weekend so many shops are not open, but I kept walking and enjoying saying words such as ‘pardon’ in a way that makes me (and the french people) think that I am French hoping that they would not ask me any questions so as not to have my secret revealed!
Suddenly, I found that little pastries shop, I went in happily, and tried my bad french to request the sandwich I saw in their menu. And as expected, they did not understand a word until that french volunteer from behind offered free interpretation. As soon as I finished my order, the girl asked about where I am from, and surprisingly, when she knew I am from Egypt, she spoke Arabic and said why didn’t you speak Arabic from the start!! I found out that they are Tunisian and they actually refused to take money from me, and wished me a happy stay in Marseille! I loved those guys so much that I kept the wrapping paper of the pizza I got from the, and I will keep it with me… That was on 3 hours after my arrival!
Then I headed to a public beach, sat and ate the delicious pizza while watching french families, couples, children having fun in this beautiful weather. Afterward, I started my 4 hour walk around in the city. Met a lot of people from north African backgrounds and expecially from Algeria. And me this beautiful young french family who talked to me and offered their help while I was trying to the Notre Dam historical place. They spoke English and seemed to be happy to be meeting the second Egyptian in Marseille!
While I am thirsty, I entered that bar with older people watching a football/soccer game to grab a bottle of water, The guy spoke no English, yet we communicated. He told me c’est impossible to take the water out and I have to drink it inside the bar, and so I did and left to resume my walk.
I saw the residential buildings and how they are similar to downtown Cairo, walked and walked and walked until I am exhausted! then decided to go back to the hotel, and then I discovered that I had to do more walking! In order to get to the hotel, I had to ask 4 people for directions!
Those were my first 9 hours in Marseille. Although the world is very big and requires a huge deal of time, money and efforts to be explored, I always find that exploring myself and learning about it is much more harder, for real…
Bonne nuit!
