Heilbronn, Germany to Aix-en-Provence, France

August 8, 2010: Heilbronn, Germany to Aix-en-Provence, France

Kevin and Rosa Just Waking Up

After dinner last night, Karlaee, Sharra, Allen, Rosa, and David got to bed at a decent time. Kevin stayed up with all the World Junior players and partied, both to celebrate his 19th birthday and the end of the tournament. We were up and out of the hotel by 6:30 am, so that we could pick up Kevin at the school where all the teams were staying. We were on the road heading out of Heilbronn by 7:00.

Our goal was Aix-en-Provence in the south of France. Our day took us 1,000 kilometers. First we traveled along the German highways and then we crossed over to France at the southern end of Alsace near Mulhouse. Then it was along the French motorways heading south. We even went right through the center of Lyon as the highway hugged the banks of the Rhone River. As it was Sunday and everyone was traveling to and from Provence we hit traffic jams as we approached Provence. Traffic was stop and go in both directions on the six lane highway.

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After eleven hours of travel we pulled up outside our apartment in Aix-en-Provence. It would be our base for the next five days and it turned out to be beautiful, with tall ceilings, views to the street, and a garden out back.

After settling into the apartment, we headed out to nearby Rue d'Italie where we sat outside and enjoyed a simple and delicious French dinner. The six of us then walked through the old streets of Aix-en-Provence until we came to beautiful Cours Mirabeau, the central street of Aix. Street vendors lined one side of the road and we wondered along looking at their goods, enjoying the beautiful summer evening, crowds, and company. After wandering through the narrow streets and back alleys, we walked back to our apartment for an early night.

Motorway in France