Future in our HandsComenius 2012

Aix-en-Provence, France

Saturday 18th February

Flying to Marseille

Saturday, 18th February

On 18th to 26th, we had started a new adventure in Aix-en-Provence as a part of the Comenius Project “The Future in Our Hands”, which is mostly focus on one of the biggest actual worries: SAVING THE WATER.

Me, Ana Marta, Pedro Azevedo and Tânia were the four Portuguese students selected to be apart of that, with the company of teachers Élia Martins, Lina Almeida and Miss Elena Santos.

When we arrived, we had our host families expecting us, which wasn’t a surprise but kind of excitement. Then, I met Claudine, my host mother; Anais, the younger sister and Manuel, the father. And what a huge surprise when I noticed that my family speak portuguese. For me it couldn’t be better! Alexandra, my host girl, was working so I had to wait for her later in home.

After met family we had to say goodbye for the weekend and we went home located in Gardanne. I was completely excited to see the place, one of the big reasons was because it is the place where the painter Paul Cézanne lived part of his life. Saturday, 18th February

In Gardanne, what I mostly liked were the windows and the houses arquitecture. I think that find few differences of my country is the most amazing thing of visiting different places and countries.

Another thing that I also liked, was the fact that it was a very quiet place.

Saturday, 18th February

During the “guide visit” by Anais, I saw La vieille église, which is located behind her house.

I was absolutely excited when I knew that Paul Cézanne had represented this church in many of his paintings.

Fig. 1- La vieille église Saturday, 18th February

Fig. 2- Paul Cézanne painting

After walking around the town, we went to the library Médiathèque Nelson Mandela. This library have space and all the conditions to satisfied the local population necessities.

Behind the library, there was a beautiful and relaxing garden which I totally loved.

Saturday, 18th February

In the end of the day, I finally knew my week’s best friend: “the bed” . It felt so good after a tiring day!

Saturday, 18th February

Sunday 19th February

Sunday, 19th February

On Sunday, I spent the day with my host family, who show me the beauty of the city of Marseille. There, I could contemplate the amazing view of the sea and the top view of Marseille.

Sunday, 19th February

We visited the famous Cathedral Notre Dame de la Garde , which is a very beautiful Neo-Byzantine basilica, constructed on 16th century.

My host family invited a Portuguese friend’s couple to come with us. I really like them, they were very friendly and nice people.

Fig. 3- Cathedral Notre Dame de la Garde (outside)

Sunday, 19th FebruaryFig. 4 and 5- Cathedral Notre Dame de la Garde (inside)

Monday 20th February

Monday, 20th February

On Monday, the activities started. We went to the Sacré Coeur College at 8:00 a.m. I was very excited and curious to meet with the Greece, Poland and Turkey students .

When we were all together, teachers separated us in groups to talk and know each others, with the purpose to unify us and don’t let us limited by our group.

Monday, 20th February

After we were all familiar with each other, we know a little bit of Collége, and next, we went to see the Lycée.

Once we had to go out, we took a look from Aix-en-Provence city town.

Monday, 20th February

Monday, 20th February

In Aix-en-Provence, there are more than 100 different fountains.

La Rotonde is the biggest one.

Monday, 20th February

And of course, I couldn’t be in Aix without taste the delicious macarons!

Tuesday 21th February

Tuesday, 21th February

Tuesday, 21th February

On Tuesday, we went to visit the city council and we were received by the president of parish council. It was very interesting and the day after, we appear on the news paper.

After that, we visit the traditional market in the middle of the city.

Tuesday, 21th February

After the lunch, we went to see Zola’s dam and the roman aqueduct. Near Zola’s dam, is the Mount Sainte Victoire, so we went take a look.

Fig. 6- Zola’s Dam Fig. 6- Mount Sainte Victoire

Wednesday 22th February

Wednesday, 22th February

In the morning, while we were waiting for teachers, we decided to write some words on the board and traduced to our different languages.

Wednesday, 22th FebruaryThen, we went to Camargue…

…time for lunch: we ate on a restaurant near the beach…Wednesday, 22th February

Wednesday, 22th February

… and in the afternoon, we visited Arles.

Wednesday, 22th February

In the evening, my host girls had a hip-hop class.It was very funny.

Thursday 23th February

Thursday, 23th February

In the morning, I presented my work about the traditional Portuguese style of music, Fado. It went very well. At the end I sang a song, which was the best part of my presentation.

Thursday, 23th February

The visit to the Vasarely Foundation was absolutely amazing! This Foundation is kind a contemporary art gallery, with truly masterpieces. I loved every piece of art that I saw, it made me feel completely stunning!

After the visit of Vasarely Foundation, we present our works about aquatic ecosystems and debated about it .

In the evening, the school prepared a dinner for our families.

In the end of the night we had to say goodbye to the Greek group.

Thursday, 23th February

Friday 24th February

In the morning of Friday, we felt that without the Greek group, it was very quiet! By the way, we had a good day.

We saw a photography exposition about water, and in the afternoon we went for a walk on Mount Sainte Victoire.

After an exhausting day, some of us went to the cinema in the evening, to relax a little bit.

Saturday 25th February

This was a particular day for me, because it was my 17th birthday. Because of that, we celebrated it in Aix and we took this opportunity to do the last shopping, and of course, sang the birthday song with a macaron!

La Cure Gourmande, was my favorite store

In the evening, my host family made me a surprise and we had dinner in Cristina and

Joaquim’s house, the Portuguese couple. It was the

best!

Sunday 26th February

In the end of the week, I kept so many good things and experiences! When it was time to go home, I didn’t want to go.

I feel that I have left good friends, that one day I hope to see and talk again!

Beatriz JanesPortuguese Team for Aix-en-Provence, France