Aix-en-Provence a beautiful town about one-half hours train north of Marseilles (which is about two hours from Montpellier). Initially, a lot of our time is spent wandering, but as J.R.R. Tolkein said, “Not all who wander are lost.” The ancient streets and alleys are convoluted and meander to and fro with seemingly no organization. A map is essential, though sometimes hardly better than an abstract scribble. However, serendipity often leads us to treasures at most every turn.

We have gone to Aix-en-Provence via train for an overnight visit. Lots to share later ...  

The goal of this trip has been different from any other we have taken before. The singular question is “Could or would we want to live here, or someplace like it?" It is more difficult than we imagined, yet our enthusiasm hasn't waned, even though the exercise is challenging. For instance, living in a very small apartment, compared to our very large home will require adjustments that will likely not surface during this first foray into such realities. On the up side, a full cleaning should take only 30 minutes.

Weathermen and meteorologists. You really don't trust them, but you consult them all the time. Plans are made or not based on their prognostications. But (in Florida at least) they are wrong SO often, AND they keep their jobs. Well, here in southern France, The weather forecasts have been similar. The rain chances for say Monday are 100% early in the week, one day later they are 10% then 100% then 10%, the next day until Sunday the rain chances return to 100%.

Those who know me know I have a bad habit, shopping! I have been going thru a gradual withdrawal over the last 8 years, since I left the professional, high-pay, high-stress IT life. And now that we are downsizing, I avoid the temptation to buy things since everything must soon be either sold, given away, put in storage, or fit in one suitcase (size still being debated). So it makes no sense to continue to accumulate, but …

We were exhausted after our air travels, arrival in Montpellier, getting settled into the apartment, and several miles of walking about the old section of the city. While Jeannie continued to recover from her cold, I made a side walk to the store for some kitchen items. I love trying to get lost in places like this. While I may not understand all I see, it so fascinating. It also helps me set my internal compass.

After a tiresome, bumpy series of flights, we arrived in Montpellier close to schedule. Aurore, the property manager, was waiting at the apartment for us. She showed us all the essentials, though some were lost in translation. Then she walked us to the ATM for the remainder of the rent and deposit. The apartment is beautiful. Fresh yellow roses on the table and champagne in the fridge, we're just a little too exhausted to really take it all in at the moment. A short nap is next on the list. Then shopping for the essentials and dinner out.

Sitting in Orlando International Airport we are waiting to board the first-leg flight of our visit to southern France to check out where we might want to begin our adventure. The destination is Montpellier where we have an apartment waiting for us to base a ten-day stay. Our thoughts are constantly changing, and flexibility is key. As in any research, when you find the answer to one question, ten more appear. Whether it be visas and taxes, or the desirability of locations, we are finding lots of conflicting as well as confirming information. The brain fills quickly.