South of France - Part III

Before I've even met Fa - my new host - she invites me to a birthday party and BBQ with her friends.

Arriving sociably late we step inside with meat, wine and nectarines in hand. After introductions, I have an interesting chat with one of the guys who has also spent some time in South America. Meanwhile behind us smoke pours from the BBQ as duck proves to be a challenge to grill. Once ready we gorge ourselves on a feast of salads, meat, bread and wine.

As the evening darkens many of the couples must leave as they have early mornings ahead. With 5 remaining we jump in the jacuzzi to wash away our worries.

---
Keen to show me around Fa and I travel to Cassis to see the Calanques. Escaping the touristy centre we walk some of the older streets posing for a photo shoot before continuing. Arriving at Calanque 1 I get my first view of the Calanques, and unfortunately also my last as the Calanques have been closed due to fire risk.

Day 2: Today we meet with another one of Fa's friends. Exploring the market we find the usual fruit and vegetables, cleaning products, replica sunglasses and womens clothes. In amongst the expected we find a local Italian pasta man who cries out encouragement to the surrounding crowds. Onlookers smile with amusement as he pulls an embarrassed woman closer to try his spinach and cheese ravioli...

Talking to him like an old school mate Fa buys some ravioli and he throws in a couple of new flavours to go.


Walking up a steep hill we find a small garden for lunch before continuing to the highest point where the cliff face falls vertically to the ocean below. Here the rocks and pebbles have been fused together under intense heat and pressure - leaving an unusual texture. Looking like it will crumble at any moment the surface deceives, instead rising to great heights above us.

---

Travelling to Marseille for the French National day we enjoy fantastic fireworks in the evening from an office building overlooking the pier. While thousands mill in the streets below we wait on the balcony with champagne in hand.


Looking over to a nearby building I see a small group sitting on its roof - their chairs structured and illuminated from behind - the group remind me of a theatre audience - looking somewhat out of place perched on its edge.







Returning my gaze to the port I watch as thousands of fireworks explode before me. Painting the sky with intense shades I don't know whether to watch the sky or the reflection cast between the boats.