Marseille has a very different feel compared to Aix. While Victoria and I walked around, we noticed that we felt out of place, once again. It's bigger, dirtier, more crowded, and most of the population was Arab immigrants. If it wasn't for some of the architecture and everyone speaking the language, it felt like we weren't in France anymore. Going to Marseille was pretty eye opening, since our idea of France was so different from the reality.
We quickly found our way to the port, after feeling a little unsafe and uncomfortable on some of the side streets, where men would quietly stand outside of their shops and watch us briskly walk by. There were so many men standing in the street, the silence was eerie. Victoria asked me in a whisper "umm... are there places in Marseille where we shouldn't be?" According to my tour book, it would be the area we walked through.
The port was amazing. The water glistened brilliantly under the hundreds of docked sailboats. Victoria and I soaked in the sun and the beauty of the little Mediterranean we could see. We took advantage of the Moroccan cuisine at a restaurant located at the port called, Le Zouk. I ordered a ground beef tajine. Spicy, bubbling hot, mixture of beef, soft boiled patatoes, peas, and an egg done over easy--all the flavors melted into each other, creating true bliss that warmed my soul. It was easily one of the best meals of my life! I couldn't contain myself! Please please let me relive this moment again...
After licking every plate and eating my weight in Moroccan food, I wanted to walk around. Victoria and I made our way to a fort that overlooked the city and the port. (haha).
Since the day was nearing it's end, we realized that we didn't get as much stuff done as we wanted to. There are many museums and cathedrals that we have to visit. We need to do our homework before we visit Marseille again. However, the food made the trip MORE than worth it.
Au revoir Marseille, until next time...
